Important Birding Areas in Uganda
Uganda is one of the most bird rich destinations in the world. The country has 30 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covering 7% of the total size of the country. Amongst these IBAs, four are in the south-west of the country: Echuya Forest, Mgahinga, Nyamuriro Swamp and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Six are in the west near the border with the DRC: Rwenzori Mountains National Park; Kibale National Park; Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake George; Kyambura Wildlife Reserve; Semliki National Park and Semliki Reserves.
Eight IBAs are in the Lake Victoria Basin in the south-central region of the country: Lake Mburo National Park; Sango Bay area; Musambwa Islands; Nabugabo Wetland; Lutoboka Point (Ssese Islands); Lutembe Bay Mabamba Bay; and Mabira Forest Reserve.
Five other important bird areas are in the north-west of the country and these include Budongo Forest; Murchison Falls; Ajai Wildlife Reserve; Mount Kei Forest Reserve and Mount Otzi Forest Reserve. A further seven are in the east towards the Kenyan border: Doho Rice Scheme; Lake Nakuwa; Lake Bisina; Lake Opeta; Mount Elgon National Park; Mount Moroto Forest Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park.
Below is a full list of Important Bird Areas in Uganda
- Ajai Wildlife Reserve
- Budongo Forest Reserve
- Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Doho Rice Scheme
- Echuya Forest Reserve
- Kasyoha - Kitomi Forest Reserve
- Kibale National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
- Lake Bisina
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Lake Nakuwa
- Lake Opeta
- Lutembe Bay
- Lutoboka point (Ssese islands)
- Mabamba Bay
- Mabira Forest Reserve
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Mount Elgon National Park
- Mount Kei Forest Reserve
- Mount Moroto Forest Reserve
- Mount Otzi Forest Reserve
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Musambwa islands
- Nabajjuzzi Wetland
- Nabugabo wetland
- Nyamuriro swamp
- Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake George
- Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Sango Bay area
- Semliki National Park
- Semliki reserves
Most of the above IBAs are now accessible to birdwatchers. We organize several birding tours that include visits to various IBAs. You can as well contact us for a custom made trip to any of the above IBAs through email.
