Lutembe Bay one of Uganda’s major birding hotspot is situated along the northern shores of Lake Victoria and offers a rewarding birding day-out-of Entebbe or Kampala. The extensive wetland which lies along northern shores of Lake Victoria is an Important Bird Area and a Ramsar site due to a diversity of birdlife notably palearctic congregations, Lake Victoria Biome restricted bird species and resident waders.
Bird Diversity at Lutembe Bay
Lutembe Bay is a wetland habitat characterized by papyrus stands, extensive reed and lilies supporting over 110 species of birds. This diversity of birdlife includes 8 out 12 Lake Victoria biome-restricted species, up to 26 species of Palearctic migrants, and a quality list of resident waterfowl. The bay hosts annual congregations of Palearctic migrants that winter here between August -April which include over 1.8m of white-winged terns, various sandpipers, Eurasian Marsh Harriers, Osprey and more. Local vagrants to the bay include the prehistoric Shoebill and Blue Swallow.
Birding Experience at Lutembe Bay
Lutembe Bay is a popular birding hotspot explored on either a half-a-day birding or full-day excursions. An early start is required targeting the early morning productive hours before the sun is hot. Birding is then conducted on a local motorized local canoe to access the papyrus and reed water edges extending into the quiet back waters stocked with a diversity of bird. Later in the mid-morning, birding extends onto the edges of the wetland to tick off a variety of species that forage between the marsh, relics of forest stands and cultivation.
Lutembe Bay Top Birding Highlights
Highlights on a typical birding day-out to Lutembe Bay include; congregations of Grey-headed Gull, Grey Heron, Purple heron, White-faced Whistling Duck, Yellow -billed Ducks, Spur-winged Goose, Black Crake, Spur-winged Plover, Long-toed Lapwing, African Jacana, Egyptian Goose, African Openbill and more.
Local papyrus residents and Lake Victoria Biome species include the shy Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-headed coucal, Northern Brown throated Weaver, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Caruthers Cisticola, Greater and Lesser Swamp Warbler and more. Striated Heron, Little and Intermediate Heron, Papyrus flactacher, Malachite and Pied Kingfisher.
Palearctic migrants that occur between Aug-April include, Black Stilt, Slender-billed Gull, White-winged Tern, Gull-billed and Whiskered Tern, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Ruff, a variety of Sandpipers, Western Yellow Wagtail, Common Snipe, Common and Spotted Redshank, Common Ringed Plover, Western Marsh Harrier and more.
Seasonal intra-African migrants include, Rufous Heron, Squacco Heron African Skimmer, Black Egret and African Crake.
Frequently Asked Questions about Birding Lutembe Bay
Here is more information about this incredible birding hotspot to help you plan your birding trip to Lutembe Bay.
Best Time to bird at Lutembe Bay
Lutembe Bay is an all-year round birding hotspot with a quality list of resident waterfowl and wetland restricted bird species. Birding gets even better, when in months between August and April there is a surge in a number species where congregations of Palearctic migrants utilize the nutrition-rich floating islets to refuel as they continue on their south-north migration route. Of these congregations is a 1.8m White-winged Tern and various Sandpipers that congregate here annually.
How to get to Lutembe Bay
Lutembe Bay lies only 25 km south of Kampala and 14km from Entebbe where the site is further 4km from the turnoff junction on the main highway.
What is included in the Cost of Birding at Lutembe Bay
The cost of birding at Lutembe includes boat hire, local taxes and entrance fees, our professional bird guide, drinking water, hot lunch, and transport to and fro from your residence or hotel within Kampala or Entebbe.