Birding Safaris in Lutembe Bay, Bird Species | Bird watching Tours

Guide to planning unforgettable Birding Safaris in Lutembe Bay -Uganda. Located 4 km off from Namulanda and about 40 minutes’ drive from Kampala is an iconic Lutembe Bay or Wetland. Lutembe Wetland (Bay) is home to over 215 bird species making it one of Uganda’s best bird watching sites. Lutembe Bay is an Important Bird Area and Ramsar site located adjacent to the shores of Lake Victoria.

Birding safaris in Lutembe Bay/Wetland offers a rare opportunity for you to explore the diversity of birds, including the different Lake Victoria biome species. This Ramsar site alone protects over 8 of the 12 Lake Victoria biome species, with the possibility of avid birders spotting over 100 bird species.

Lutembe Bay/Wetland’s Bird Species

The checklist of birds in Lutembe Wetland includes elusive shoebill storks, Lizard buzzard, white-browed robin chat, Gull-billed terns, white-winged terns, slender-billed gulls, Madagascar squacco heron, red-chested sunbirds, and white-throated bee-eaters.

Blue-spotted wood-doves, Black herons, Tawny flanked prinia, Broad-billed rollers, Black-headed gonoleks, Laughing doves, Palm-nut vultures, African blue flycatchers, Blue-spotted wood doves, Greater cormorants, Willow warblers, purple herons, and Helmeted guineafowl.

Other bird species in Lutembe Bay include fan-tailed window birds, lesser black-backed gull, croaking cisticola, fawn-breasted waxbill, spur-winger lapwing, brown-throated wattle-eye, slender-billed weaver birds, swamp flycatchers, sooty chat, plain-backed pipit, little stint, and long-toed lapwing. Long-tailed cormorant, malachite kingfisher, and Goliath herons.

Lutembe Bay also protects birds such as African pygmy kingfishers, Northern black flycatchers, African golden-breasted banting, marsh harriers, giant kingfishers, common ringed plovers, yellow-fronted canary, Nubian woodpeckers, mosque swallow, wattled starling, brimstone canary, grosbeak weaver bird, Diederik, to mention but a few.

Other Things to see Besides Birds during Birding Safaris in Lake Lutembe Bay

Lutembe Bay is a rich wetland system with not only birds. It also holds species like otters, sitatungas, squirrels, and snakes.

Things to do Besides Birding Safaris in Lutembe Bay

Nature walk

Embarking on a nature walk offers a great opportunity for you to explore the endowed Lutembe Bay on foot. While on a nature walk, you can enjoy sights of beautiful butterfly species, birds, and other species.

Butterfly watching

Over 100 butterfly species reside in Lutembe Wetland and can be explored during guided butterfly tour. With an expert, expect to explore your favorite butterfly species.

Experience Lutembe beach

For those who love swimming, consider visiting Lutembe Beach. Chill and relax while appreciating the beautiful beach.

Packing for Birding Safaris in Lutembe Bay

Items to carry for your birding tour include a good camera, sunscreen, a daypack, good clothes, a waterproof daypack, a safari hat, a bottle of drinking water, and more.

When to go for Birding in Lutembe Bay

Birders can explore Lutembe at any time of the year. Preferably, you can embark on a guided birding excursion in the morning to catch up with lots of your lovely birds as they become active.

Accommodation Options

Available lodging or hotel accommodation options to stay include Lutembe View Guesthouse, which is 1 km off from the vibrant Entebbe City. Other accommodation options include Sky Beach Hotel, the Biira Residence, Namulanda Motel, and more.

Getting to Lutembe Bay from Kampala

From Kampala, you can drive for 25 km to reach Lutembe Bay/Wetland. This wetland can be reached along the Kampala-Entebbe route from Namulanda.