The activity of gorilla tracking can be conducted in two national parks, Bwindi and Mgahinga. These parks are also home to different birds and some of them are Albertine rift endemic. After gorilla tracking, birding can be done in these parks. In Bwindi National parks each region has different birds.
The Albertine Rift’s endemic birds, the following were recorded in the national park during surveys in 2004: handsome spurfowl, dusky crimson-wing, red-throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, Archer’s ground robin, stripe-breasted tit, blue-headed sunbird, regal sunbird, strange weaver, montane nightjar, red-faced woodland warbler and Grauer’s swamp warbler.
About Primates present in Mgahinga national park include mountain gorilla and golden monkey. The checklist of 76 mammal species includes black-and-white colobus, leopard, elephant, giant forest hog, bushpig, buffalo, bushbuck, black-fronted duiker, and several varieties of rodents, bats and small predators.
Birding in Bwindi National Park is so interesting and enjoyable This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
The Itinerary can also include birding in other National parks located in the western Uganda. After gorilla tracking in Bwindi or Mgahinga, birding can also be done in Semliki national park. Over 435 bird species have been recorded in Semuliki National Park. The checklist includes 35 Guinea-congo forest biome bird species, spot-breasted ibis, Haartlaub’s duck, Congo sepent eagle, chestnut flaned goshawk, red thighed sparrowhawk. Furthermore, another 12 species with extremely little distribution are spotted like the western bronze-naped pigeon. Yellow throated cukoo.
With semuliki national park, there is another interesting attraction. The parks have two hot springs, they are great to see hot water bubbling up and steam rising from the pools. Often too hot when temperature over 30’C. If you’re more interested in trees, insects, butterflies, birds or monkeys then it is heading off for several hours into the jungle with a guide. It’s great.
Birding can also be done in Kibale National Park it’s also not far from Semliki. The park also is home for the high percentage of chimpanzees. Daily chimpanzee activity is done here and also other activities like birding. Near Kibale, there is Bigodi Swamp. This place has many to offer include different species of birds
The “Home of the Great Blue Turaco” is a real bird watcher’s paradise. This wonderful place shelters over 200 species of birds including Hornbills, Turacos, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers and many more swamp endemics. Furthermore, the sanctuary is the home of 8 species of primates, including the Black and White Colobus, Red Colobus, Red Tailed Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, L’hoest Monkey, Vervet Monkey and the Blue Monkey.
The swamp is also a haven for other mammals such as sitatungas, bushbucks and otters. Local and knowledgeable guides will take you on an interpretive tour as they escort you through the lush vegetation. This is the perfect opportunity to view the wildlife from the forest pathways, boardwalks and atop a tree house tucked high in the canopy.