The Top Birding Hotspots in East Africa

East Africa is often celebrated for its iconic big game — the lions of the Serengeti, the elephants of Amboseli, and the gorillas of Bwindi. Yet, for those who look beyond the savannah and listen closely to the rustle of the trees and the melody of the skies, there’s another world waiting to be discovered — the world of birds.

From the shimmering lakes of the Rift Valley to the misty montane forests and sprawling wetlands, East Africa is a birder’s paradise. The region is home to over 1,400 bird species, with many being endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. For both seasoned birders and curious travelers, the experience of birdwatching in East Africa is nothing short of magical.

Each morning in the African wilderness begins with an orchestra of sound — the haunting call of a fish eagle, the chatter of weaverbirds building nests, the whistle of a turaco gliding through the canopy, and the gentle flutter of sunbirds hovering over wildflowers. Every location tells a different story, every habitat reveals new species, and every sighting deepens your appreciation for this region’s breathtaking biodiversity.

Here’s a guide to the top birding hotspots in East Africa, where nature lovers and photographers alike can witness some of the most spectacular avian displays on the planet.

1. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Uganda

Best known for its mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also one of Africa’s richest birding destinations. Tucked away in southwestern Uganda, this UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics — rare birds found only in this mountainous region.

Walking through Bwindi’s dense rainforest is like stepping into a living cathedral of sound. The air vibrates with the calls of turacos, warblers, and greenbuls, while shafts of sunlight illuminate the dazzling plumage of African paradise flycatchers and blue-headed sunbirds.

Key species:

• African Green Broadbill (near-endemic)

• Shelley’s Crimsonwing

• Regal Sunbird

• Handsome Francolin

• Grauer’s Swamp Warbler

• Rwenzori Turaco

Best time to visit: June to September and December to February, when trails are dry and bird activity is high.

For dedicated birders, the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors of Bwindi offer the best diversity, with experienced guides helping visitors track elusive species through the misty forest.

2. Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda

While Bwindi steals the limelight for forest birding, Queen Elizabeth National Park reigns supreme as Uganda’s most versatile birding area. With over 600 recorded species, it is one of the most bird-rich parks in Africa.

The diversity of habitats — ranging from open savannah to wetlands, crater lakes, and riverine forests — means you can spot everything from aquatic species to raptors and migratory birds.

A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel is a highlight for birders, offering close encounters with African fish eagles, saddle-billed storks, African skimmers, and pink-backed pelicans. The Mweya Peninsula and Maramagambo Forest add even more species to your checklist.

Key species:

• Martial Eagle

• Grey-headed Kingfisher

• African Skimmer

• Malachite Kingfisher

• Papyrus Gonolek

• White-winged Tern

Best time to visit: November to April (migratory season), though birding is excellent year-round.

3. Lake Nakuru National Park – Kenya

Few birding sites in the world can match the color and drama of Lake Nakuru. Once known for its vast flocks of flamingos that turned the lake pink, Nakuru remains a premier birding hotspot even as flamingo numbers fluctuate due to water levels.

The alkaline lake attracts over 450 species, including pelicans, herons, eagles, and numerous shorebirds. The park’s combination of woodlands, grasslands, and escarpments also makes it a haven for raptors.

Standing on Baboon Cliff at sunrise, you’ll witness the lake shimmer with life — thousands of birds feeding, preening, and calling across the water.

Key species:

• Lesser and Greater Flamingo

• Great White Pelican

• African Fish Eagle

• Pied Kingfisher

• Verreaux’s Eagle

• Speke’s Weaver

Best time to visit: June to March for clear skies and excellent viewing conditions.

4. Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

The Serengeti is famous for the Great Migration, but it’s also a birdwatcher’s dream. With over 500 bird species, it’s a land where every bush, acacia, and grass tuft seems to host a feathered resident.

The open savannahs are perfect for spotting Kori bustards (Africa’s heaviest flying bird), secretary birds, and lilac-breasted rollers — perhaps Africa’s most photographed bird. Around rivers and woodlands, you’ll find hornbills, starlings, and shrikes.

For birders, the Serengeti offers an unmatched opportunity to combine wildlife photography with avian diversity. During the rainy season (November–April), migratory birds from Europe and Asia join the local populations, making it a spectacular time for birdwatching.

Key species:

• Kori Bustard

• Grey-breasted Spurfowl

• Fischer’s Lovebird

• Rufous-tailed Weaver (endemic)

• Secretary Bird

• Lilac-breasted Roller

Best time to visit: November to April for migratory birds; year-round for resident species.

5. Lake Manyara National Park – Tanzania

Compact yet astonishingly diverse, Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most scenic birding sites. The shallow alkaline lake, surrounded by acacia woodlands and cliffs, hosts over 400 species.

At sunrise, the lake’s shimmering surface reflects thousands of flamingos feeding in the shallows. Kingfishers dart through the air, hornbills call from treetops, and raptors glide effortlessly above the Rift Valley escarpment.

Manyara is also home to the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl, one of Africa’s most sought-after nocturnal birds.

Key species:

• Lesser Flamingo

• Pel’s Fishing Owl

• Silvery-cheeked Hornbill

• Collared Palm Thrush

• African Spoonbill

• Crowned Eagle

Best time to visit: November to June, when migratory birds arrive and the lake teems with life.

6. Mabamba Bay Wetland – Uganda

Just an hour’s drive from Kampala, Mabamba Bay is a must-visit for birders seeking one of Africa’s most iconic species: the Shoebill Stork.

This prehistoric-looking bird, with its massive shoe-shaped bill and piercing eyes, is often seen stalking fish through papyrus swamps. Watching a shoebill catch a lungfish is a moment no birder ever forgets.

Guided canoe trips through Mabamba’s calm channels allow close viewing not only of the shoebill but also a rich variety of wetland species.

Key species:

• Shoebill Stork

• African Jacana

• Blue-breasted Bee-eater

• Purple Swamphen

• Malachite Kingfisher

• Papyrus Gonolek

Best time to visit: December to February and June to September (dry seasons).

7. Nyungwe Forest National Park – Rwanda

In the highlands of southwestern Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest is a birder’s paradise. This ancient montane rainforest shelters over 300 species, including 27 Albertine Rift endemics.

The canopy walk — a suspended bridge 60 meters above the forest floor — offers a breathtaking vantage point to spot species that prefer the upper layers of the forest.

Nyungwe’s dense vegetation makes birding challenging but rewarding. Patient observers are treated to sightings of colorful turacos, greenbuls, and elusive forest robins.

Key species:

• Red-collared Mountain Babbler

• Rwenzori Turaco

• Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

• Purple-breasted Sunbird

• Grauer’s Warbler

• White-headed Wood-hoopoe

Best time to visit: June to August and December to February, when bird activity is high and trails are easier to navigate.

8. Tarangire National Park – Tanzania

Famous for its baobab trees and elephant herds, Tarangire National Park is also a top birding destination, boasting over 500 species.

The Tarangire River attracts flocks of waterbirds, while dry acacia woodlands host hornbills, lovebirds, and weavers. During the green season, migratory species add bursts of color to the already diverse landscape.

Key species:

• Yellow-collared Lovebird (endemic)

• Red-and-yellow Barbet

• Northern Pied Babbler

• Rufous-tailed Weaver

• African Grey Flycatcher

• White-bellied Go-away-bird

Best time to visit: November to April for migratory birds; June to October for residents.

9. Kakamega Forest – Kenya

Kakamega Forest, Kenya’s last remaining fragment of the ancient Congolese rainforest, is a hidden gem for serious birders. With over 360 species, it offers a different birding experience compared to the savannah parks.

This lush forest is home to several central African species found nowhere else in Kenya, making it a must-visit for ornithologists and photographers alike.

Key species:

• Blue-headed Bee-eater

• Great Blue Turaco

• Turner’s Eremomela

• Black-billed Turaco

• Grey Parrot

• Yellow-billed Barbet

Best time to visit: Year-round, though the dry season (June to September) offers easier walking conditions.

10. Lake Baringo – Kenya

For birders who love variety, Lake Baringo is unbeatable. Situated in Kenya’s Rift Valley, this freshwater lake supports over 470 bird species within a relatively small area.

From herons and kingfishers to owls and nightjars, the diversity here is staggering. Local guides, many of whom are passionate birders, make Lake Baringo an educational as well as an exciting destination.

Key species:

• Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

• Goliath Heron

• Northern Red Bishop

• Hemprich’s Hornbill

• African Fish Eagle

• White-faced Scops Owl

Best time to visit: October to March, when migratory birds add to the local population.

Tips for Birding in East Africa

1. Carry a good pair of binoculars — at least 8×42 magnification for clarity and light.

2. Use a field guide or birding app such as the Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe.

3. Dress in neutral colors and move quietly to avoid disturbing birds.

4. Start early in the morning — most birds are active at dawn.

5. Hire a local bird guide. Their knowledge of calls, habitats, and migratory patterns is invaluable.

Travel With Moreen Tours & Travel

Whether you’re a seasoned birder chasing lifers or a nature lover discovering your first shoebill, Moreen Tours & Travel will make your birding dreams soar. With expert local guides, customized itineraries, and access to East Africa’s top reserves, they create experiences that blend adventure, comfort, and conservation.

From Uganda’s papyrus swamps and Rwanda’s highland forests to Kenya and Tanzania’s Rift Valley lakes, Moreen Tours & Travel ensures every moment counts — every call, every wingbeat, every dawn chorus.

Travel responsibly. Watch patiently. And let Moreen Tours & Travel guide you through the incredible world of East Africa’s birds — one unforgettable sighting at a time.