Entebbe Botanical Gardens Birding
The Entebbe Botanical Gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria is one of Uganda's most accessible and productive birding sites. Established in 1898, the gardens hold mature forest, open lawns, scrub patches and lake-edge habitat that together support 100+ bird species — all within 10 minutes of Entebbe Airport.
Key Species
The gardens are outstanding for great blue turaco — arguably the most spectacular bird in Uganda and found in the canopy of mature forest trees throughout the gardens. African grey parrot is another sought-after species that feeds in fruiting trees. Other highlights include blue-breasted kingfisher, African fish eagle, African harrier hawk, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, grey-backed fiscal, paradise flycatcher and an excellent range of sunbirds, warblers and weavers.
Lakeside Birding
The lake edge within the botanical gardens adds waterbird species: long-tailed cormorant, African darter, malachite kingfisher, pied kingfisher, African jacana, African pygmy goose and various herons and egrets. Grey crowned crane is regularly seen on the open lawns and flying low over the lake. The combination of forest, scrub and lakeside makes the botanical gardens one of the most diverse small birding areas in East Africa.
How to Visit
The gardens are open daily from 8am to 6pm. A small entrance fee applies. We recommend visiting on arrival or departure from Uganda as part of any birding tour — the gardens can easily deliver 80 to 100 species in a 3-hour visit. Contact us to include the botanical gardens in your Uganda itinerary.