Bird watching in Ruhija sector; Ruhija sector is one of the sectors located in the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Rubanda district. Ruhija sector is a home of about 400 recorded bird species including the Albertine rift endemics, migratory birds and forest birds which make it one of the best birding areas in Uganda. There are several bird watching areas in Ruhija sector including Mubwindi swamp, bamboo trail, Ruhija hill among others.

During bird watching in Ruhija sector, you will be accompanied by an experienced park guide who will help you to spot different bird species like helmeted guinea fowl, African pygmy kingfisher, ross’s turaco, double-toothed barbet, African shrike flycatcher, red chested flufftail, cinnamon bee-eater, dwarf honey guide, Carruthers cisticola, African green broadbill, common buzzard, grey throated barbet, African paradise flycatcher, MacKinnon’s shrike, grey crowned crane, brown capped weaver, blue headed sunbird, snowy-crowned robin chat, Doherty’s bush shrike, purple breasted sunbird, mountain masked apalis, Rwenzori batis, archers robin chat, Strip breasted tit, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, strange weaver, great blue turaco, African wood-owl, African olive-pigeon, barred long-tailed cuckoo, Klaas’s cuckoo, white throated greenbul, crested guinea fowl, palm nut vulture, regal sunbird, dusky turtle dove, little sparrow hawk, black bee-eater, dusky twin spot, black crake, red-faced woodland warbler, western green tinker bird among others.

Best time to go for bird watching safari in Ruhija sector

Bird watching in Ruhija sector can be done all year round though the best time is during the wet season in the months of March to May and October to November. During the wet season there is plenty of food for the birds and it’s the breeding season for birds where you will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.

Bird watching is Ruhija sector can also be done in the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is less rainfall therefore birding trails will be dry and less challenging.

Where to stay during your bird watching safari in Ruhija sector

Ruhija sector has a number of accommodation facilities which range from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your bird watching safari including Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Cuckooland Tented Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort and Campsite, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Uganda Eco lLdge among others.

How to get to Ruhija sector

It is located in the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by air transport means where by you will book scheduled or charter flights with bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip and then connect the lodge or park headquarters by road.

Ruhija sector can also be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive in a 4WD safari vehicle.

Other activities in Ruhija sector

Apart from bird watching, there are other interesting activities in Ruhija sector that you can engage in for example gorilla trekking where you will be able to spend one hour with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, Batwa cultural experience where you will be able to interact with the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazetted into a national park, mountain biking where you will be able to explore the neighboring villages on a bicycle, community tour where you will interact with the local people in the neighboring villages, nature walks where you will get up-close and personal with different primate species, animals, plant and tree species among others.

What to pack or carry for your bird watching safari in Ruhija sector

When going for a bird watching safari, there are several items to carry including long sleeved shirt and trouser to keep you warm during morning hours, hiking boots to keep your feet dry, field guidebook, camera and extra batteries to take photos of different bird species, a pair of binoculars, energy snacks and bottled water, a hat, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall, waterproof back pack to carry your birding items like a field guidebook, camera, energy snacks among others.

Bird watching is an interesting activity in Ruhija sector that can be combined with other activities like gorilla trekking, Batwa cultural experience, nature walk among others. For more information about birding, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages.