Uganda To Host The Second Africa Bird Expo
Bird watching is one of the outstanding experiences Uganda the pearl of Africa offers. Sheltering over 1,078 bird species roughly 10% of the world’s birds, Uganda is a best birding destination you should not miss out on your African birding safari. Starting from 7th to 9th Dec 2018, Uganda is set to host the second Africa bird expo which is hoped to attract a large number of travelers from all parts of the world. The expo comes one year after the first expo was launched in 2017 all aimed at promoting birding safaris in Uganda. The expo is one of the strategies to encourage more biding tours in Uganda as well as raising revenue tourism revenue to the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Interestingly, a big turn up is expected for this year’s expo where thousands of travelers from all parts of the world are expected to attend the expo. The expo is hoped to generate over $1.4 billion dollars (roughly shd3.6 trillion) that will help in promoting tourism in Uganda. Hebert Byaruhanga, the deputy executive director of Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) together with other executives from Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda ministry of tourism are the organizers of the expo. Bird watching was introduced in Uganda to diversify Uganda’s tourism products. Much as birding had no much attention in its first days, the experience has improved and an increased number of birders received each day.
To ensure excellent birding experience, responsible tourism bodies in Uganda have trained over 100 guides who help in supporting birds and explaining details the unique features of each bird. These guides are Uganda’s who also introduce you to other attractions all over the country.
Unlike the last years’ expo that only included birds, this years expo is exceptional involving other activities such as gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest national park, game viewing in Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park and Kidepo valley national park and game viewing in the open savannah grass land national parks such as Murchison falls national park, queen Elizabeth national park, kidepo valley national park and lake Mburo national park.
Talking about gorilla tours in Uganda, the country is a home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks hence the best place to see and interact with these critically endangered species. The country shelters 13 gorilla families, which have been habituated and available for trekking.
Concerning accommodation facilities, travelers are assured of excellent and first class services food and sleeping services. Ms Jean Byamugisha, the executive director of Uganda hotel owners association confirmed this. Also, Jean has assured travelers of their safety and the property all days of their stay in Uganda.
To ease the birding experience, Uganda wildlife authority (UWA) a government body responsible for tourism and wildlife conservation in Uganda has recognized different birding spots situated in different parts of the country. Each birding area is unique in terms of the bird species, location and other attractions there. It’s a travelers choice to select which area he or see wants to visit depending on the time, the bird he is interested in and the flow of his/her travel itinerary, in terms of starting and ending point. Which ever site you choose, experienced birding guides help to spot different birds The popular birding spots in Uganda include among others:
Birding areas in Uganda
Mabamba bay wetland
Located on the shores of lake victoria, Mabamba bay wetland is a first stop for all birding tours in Uganda. The wetland is pared over 16500ha sheltering over 260 bird species some of which are endemic to the area. In 2006, Mabamba bay wetland was recognized as one of Uganda’s ramser sites due to the endemic bird species that inhabit the wetland. The popular birds at mabamba bay wetland include the shoebill, grey-headed gulls, goliath herons, gull-billed terns, pygmy geese, malachite kingfisher, papyrus genolek, white winged warbler and pallid harrier among others.
Queen Elizabeth national park (kazinga channel)
While in queen Elizabeth national park, endeavor to visit the kazinga channel. Kazinga channel is a home to over 600 bird species, which are spotted on the banks of the channel. A boat cruise is the best way to do bird watching at kazinga channel. Expect to see a variety of birds which include white winded terns, African mourning dove, tallow billed stork, martial eagle, pied kingfisher, pink-backed pelicans, ibises, white egrets, African kingfisher, hammerkops. Also, reach out to lake Munyanyange for the lesser and greater flamingoes. These flamingoes are seasonal birds which fly out to other European countries at a certain time in a year.
Other birding spots in Uganda include Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Kibale forest national park, Semuliki valley national park, lake Mburo national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Rwenzori national park and Budongo forest reserve.
In conclusion, be part of the second Africa bird expo in Uganda, come close to different bird species and enjoy other attractions and activities that make the pearl of Africa a distinct tourism destination.