Birding in Kibale National Park

Birding in Kibale National Park is the second most done activity by tourists that visit the primate capital of the world and definitely a birders’ paradise. Kibale National Park, created in 1993, is labeled an Important Bird Area, from where tourists keen on birding can spot a variety of bird species. Kibale National Park is home to over 350 species of birds, six of which are endemic to the region.

The forested nature of Kibale National Park is probably the reason for such a high number of bird species. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, just on the outskirts of Kibale National Park, has about 138 bird species that complement the number of birds that travelers can see.

Key species of birds in Kibale National Park include

Green-breasted pitta, which is the most sought after; African pitta; Abyssinian ground thrush; crowned eagle; dusky crimsoning; collared apalis; black-capped apalis; black bee-eater; yellow-spotted nicator; little greenbul; black-eared ground thrush; brown-chested alethe; yellow-rumped tinkerbird; and blue-breasted kingfisher. Chubb’s Cisticola, Black-capped Waxbill, African Shrike-flycatcher, African Black-headed Oriole, African Emerald Cuckoo, African Green-pigeon, Black-crowned Tchagra, African Wood Owl, Alpine Swift, Ash Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Black-billed Turaco, Black-billed Weaver, African Dusky Flycatcher, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Blue-throated Roller, Zebra Waxbill, Brown-eared Woodpecker, African Pied Wagtail, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek, and White-collared Olive, among so many others. All these and more bird species have been recorded in Kibale National Park.

Four bird species recorded in Kibale National Park have not been seen in any other Ugandan national park, and these include the blue-headed bee-eater, Nahan’s francolin, the masked apalis, and the Cassin’s spinetail. Migratory birds are also recorded here, which usually come between November and April.

Birding in Kibale National Park is best done on a guided forest walk, which gives tourists an opportunity to spot a variety of them. The well-developed walking/hiking trails in Kibale National Park facilitate easy hiking of the forest while on the lookout for birds.

The best birdwatching spot is the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is a community project where experienced local guides take birders on a four-hour walking trail in search of various bird species.

Birding tours in Kibale National Park start as early as 7am in the morning at Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, in the guidance of an experienced bird guide. With a bird guide, travelers are guaranteed to spot a variety of bird species given that the guides are knowledgeable of the best trails to take.

Best time for birding in Kibale National Park

Birding in Kibale is done all year long. The best time for birding in Kibale National Park, however, is from March to May and also from September to November, which are the rainy months when the fruits and food are abundant in the forest and thus there are many birds to be spotted.

What to carry on a birding in Kibale National Park safari

Given that Kibale National Park is a rainforested area, it is necessary for one to carry appropriate clothing and items. Among the items a birder should carry include;

A field guide book
Field bag and field clothing
Binoculars for clear viewing even for distant bird species
Sunglasses
Mineral water bottle
Insect repellent creams

How to get to Kibale National Park

For travelers after birding in Kibale Forest, getting to the park can be done by both road and air. By car, travelers drive a 300 km distance from Kampala to Fort Portal and then to Kanyanchu visitor center.

The drive takes about 5-6 hours of scenic and rewarding road driving. By air, travelers fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese airstrip or Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara.

The flight takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, after which travelers are transferred to the park.

Kibale National Park, apart from being a birds’ haven, has the highest density of primates in East Africa. Chimpanzees are the most dominant primate species in Kibale National Park, and most travelers visit the park to engage in a chimpanzee tracking adventure so as to encounter the chimpanzees up close.

Other primates in Kibale National Park include olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s, Guereza colobus, and red-tailed monkeys, among so many others.

All these can be seen while on a nature walk, chimpanzee tracking activity, or when bird watching. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you plan a birding safari in Kibale National Park.