Birding in Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison falls is among Uganda’s best birding spots with over 451 bird species which include; Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds, and savannah birds. Viewing birds in the scenic landscape and amazing wildlife of Murchison is among the most interesting experiences while on a Ugandan safari. The park is located in the Northwestern part of the country about 305 km from Kampala hence approximately a 4-hours’ drive by road.
There are very many birds in the park of which some are rare, common, and occasional such as the Gray crowned Crane (Uganda’s National bird), Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Nightjars, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing, Back-bellied Bustard among others.
Birds in Murchison can be best spotted while on a game drive, nature walks through the savannah grasslands and on the boat cruise along the Nile and on Lake Albert Delta. Birds like the blue napped mouse birds, silver birds, weavers among others can be spotted near Paraa and Red Chilli in through the dry thorn-shrubs. Nocturnal birds like the nightjars can be seen along the Paraa road and while on the boat on the Nile. While on the boat still very many birds such as the shoebill, Gray crowned cranes, Goliath herons, black headed lapwings among others can be spotted.
Best Time For Birding in Murchison Falls National Park
Birders can watch birds all year round though best time is during the dry season in months especially from January-March, this time is a low tourist season in Uganda but birding is still plentiful. From December-February the rains begin and birding can still be done.
From April-May and from August-October there are heavy rains, which makes it difficult for bird watching since the hiking trails become slippery and roads in the park become impassable.
The shoebill is the park’s most outstanding attraction though rare but can be spotted from January to March during the dry season. Migratory birds can be seen between months November and April.
List Of some Of The Birds Found In Murchison falls
Shoe bill
African Darter
Giant Kingfisher
Osprey
Long-toed Plover
Grey-headed Kingfisher
Veracious Dove
Black-headed Lapwing
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
Rock Pratincole
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Black-billed Barbet
Long-tailed Nightjarbird
Weaver Birds
Yellow-billed Stork
Martial Eagle
Silver bird
Gray crowned crested crane
Sandpipers
Pied Kingfishers
Standard-winged Nightjar
Malachite Kingfishers
Blue-headed Coucal
Denham’s Bustard
BirdingSwamp Flycatcher
Giant Heron
African Jacana
Secretary Bird
Read-throated Bee eater
Saddle-billed stork
Senegal Thick-Knee
Red winged Grey Warbler
What to carry for a birding Safari
Are you wondering about What to carry for birding safari, While on a Murchison falls Safari, Birders are expected to have a birder’s guide book, a pointer, a pair of binoculars, Sun glasses, hats, sturdy shoes(during hikes), and enough water
