Tag: Birdwatching

Birdwatching with Children in Africa (Tips!)

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No matter your age, bird watching can be a fun and interesting way to pass the time. While it’s something that most people get into as they get older, I want to explain how birdwatching for children is an accessible, affordable, and enjoyable family hobby and why it could be an awesome part of your upcoming vacation in East Africa.

This article will serve as your guide to birdwatching for children and explains everything you need to know to take your little one out birding for the first time.

Is birdwatching with children a good activity?

Birdwatching is an excellent activity for children. It’s a great way to teach your kids about the natural world around them while encouraging them to explore the great outdoors. 

In the sections that follow, I explain the benefits of birdwatching for children and introduce you to eight top tips that will help you get started. 

By the end, I hope you have all the information you need to take your kids out looking for birds in the great outdoors.

The benefits of birdwatching with your kids

A couple of Eastern Grey Plantain Eaters in my garden in Uganda!

Although birdwatching is often regarded as an activity reserved for elderly people who are retired, the reality is quite different. 

In fact, anyone can enjoy bird watching, as it’s a wonderful way to get in touch with your natural surroundings.

For kids, birdwatching can be especially rewarding in numerous ways, including:

  • It’s an excellent excuse to get your kids outside. A study published in the Guardian found that kids spend just eight hours each week outside, so improving their time spent in the great outdoors is a good thing. 
  • Birdwatching is a great way to teach your kids about the native species while on vacation, and it can help them in science and geography class. 
  • As an activity, birding encourages kids to be more observant of the natural world around them, which is an excellent trait to develop from an early age. 
  • By introducing your children to a range of species, you will find that they develop an appreciation for birds, which will extend to other animals and creatures later in life. 

While it might not be the most conventional hobby for kids to get involved in, birdwatching is actually an excellent opportunity to spend more time with your kids in the great outdoors. 

What’s not to love about that?

Five tips for birdwatching with your kids on vacation

Depending on your kids’ age and previous experiences, they might not be overly sold on the idea of going birdwatching with you at the start. 

This is okay, as most kids consider birdwatching to be an activity for older adults only! So, with that in mind, here are eight tips that will help you as you introduce your kids to the wonderful world of birding for the first time.

Invest in a field guide

The Malachite Kingfisher is one of Africa’s most beautiful birds. I spotted this guy on a safari in Lake Mburo with my son.

The best way to encourage your kids to develop an interest in the birds in their garden is to invest in a field guide. 

Full of pictures, field guides provide you with relevant information about the species and offer tips on how to identify specific birds. 

Searching through a field guide to identify a bird that has recently set up a nest in your backyard is a wonderful activity to complete with your kids. 

You can even start your own lifer list and encourage your kids to make a note every time they see a new bird throughout your vacation in East Africa.

Ask them to listen to and identify bird songs

Perhaps the thing I love most about having an abundance of wild birds in my garden in Uganda is the cacophony of sounds that I wake up to. 

When you’re not paying attention, it can be difficult to discern between one birdsong and another.

However, when you get into the habit of listening carefully, you can easily identify which birds are currently in and around where you are. 

Even if they can’t see the bird that’s making the beautiful sounds, you can invite them to scroll through their field guide, as many have helpful descriptions about how to listen for birds in the vicinity.

Plan your first birdwatching trip

There are so many brilliant spots to go birdwatching in East Africa and if you head into any national park, you will be treated to a huge variety of birdlife.

Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda is one of the region’s best birding destinations, so it’s well worth a trip with your kids if you want them to discover an array of species that are native to the region.

Ask your kids to draw the birds they spot

To make the act of birdwatching more hands-on, ask your kids to draw or paint the birds that they’ve been able to identify. 

It’s helpful to capture pictures of the birds with your camera, but you will be amazed at how great children are at recalling information. 

And while the end result might not be totally accurate, it’s all about creating a fun and rewarding experience for your kids. 

This will also help them remember the species that they spot and hopefully will encourage them to continue with their new hobby.

Introduce them to birds of prey

This long-crested eagle regularly spends time in my garden. I love having her around!

Depending on the age of your children, it might be a good idea to introduce them to birds of prey early on. Why? 

Well, there’s something exciting about predators that take to the skies – it’s perhaps why kids love the ideas of dinosaurs so much (well, that and Jurassic Park, of course!).

No matter how old you are, the first time you see an eagle in flight, you’re bound to be excited. 

Eagles are majestic predators, and the chance to spot one in the wild is something that all birders aspire to. 

I’m fortunate to have a long-crested eagle that lives close by, and I spot her in the garden from time to time. Although not the biggest or most powerful eagle, the fact that I can glimpse her close-up reminds me of how lucky I am to live where I do.

Broader lessons you can teach your kids while birdwatching

As I bring this article to a close, I just want to mention some learning opportunities that you can use to educate your kids about bird watching. 

After all, while it’s a fun way to spend some quality time with your kids, it’s also a great opportunity for you to encourage them to learn about the world around them.

So, here are some key things to think about: 

  • Show your kids how birds interact with one another in the natural world. A trip into nature to see native species in your area is so much more rewarding than a trip to your local zoo. We should always encourage kids to see birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat, as opposed to behind bars. 
  • Encourage your kids to consider the different natural habitats of the birds that you introduce them to. Take them to different locations – woodland, forests, water bodies, and the coast – and ask them to think about the different ways that nature plays host to birds. 
  • Finally, I think that birding is a great way to teach kids about the natural world in general. Taking them out to natural spaces and encouraging them to interact with a different plant, bird, and animal species will help them to appreciate the world around them as they grow. That’s certainly a value I hope my kids hold dear as they grow up.

Recap: Birding with children in Africa

While it might not seem like the most conventional hobby for little ones, bird watching is an excellent way to spend time with your children in the great outdoors. 

I hope that you’ve found this guide to birdwatching with children informative, insightful, and helpful. Let me know in the comments below how you get on when you take your kids out bird-watching for the very first time!

Keen to learn more about birdwatching in East Africa? Check out this post that includes a birdwatching checklist, and this article that helps you decide what to wear on an upcoming birding trip in the region.

Colors Not to Wear When Birding in East Africa

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When you’re new to birding, there’s a lot to think about. Something that doesn’t get enough attention in the birding world is the color of clothing that you should wear. 

After all, there’s no uniform for bird watching, and you can – theoretically – wear what you like. But do the colors that you wear on a birding trip affect your chances of seeing birds? Absolutely! 

Let’s take a look at the colors you need to avoid wearing when birding before discovering how to dress appropriately to give yourself the best chance of spotting birds in their natural habitats.

Which colors to avoid when birding?

Birders should avoid wearing white and any other bright and fluorescent colors. This is because birds associate white with danger and will be easily spooked by its presence. As such, opt for clothes that blend in with the bird’s natural habitat and remain as inconspicuous as possible.

Why do colors matter when birding?

Birds are intelligent, sensitive creatures that are fully aware of their surroundings. Like all animals, they have an innate fight-or-flight instinct, and the latter is particularly easy for our feathered friends! 

So, if you scare a bird in any way, even unintentionally, they’re unlikely to stick around for very long. Therefore, wearing the right colors when you head outdoors to look for birds is really important.

One of the first things you should do, particularly when you’re new to birding, is to consider the environment that you’re heading into. Your job should be to blend in as best you can, as this will ensure you don’t scare the birds when you see them. 

Provided you’re; still, birds will probably feel comfortable flying close to you and perching on nearby branches, particularly if you’re well camouflaged.

As such, wearing the wrong colors can have a significantly negative impact on your overall birding experience. Let’s take a look at some of the colors you need to avoid when birding.

The colors you need to avoid when birding

White

The main color that you should avoid when birding is white. This is because birds associate white with danger, perhaps in a similar way to humans associating red with the same thing. 

White tail feathers of birds flying away sends a warning signal to other birds, which is one of the reasons why they associate white with potential danger.  

If you’re bird watching from a white vehicle, or if your home is white and you’re hoping to attract birds to your backyard, you might struggle to do so.

Again, this is because most birds associate white with danger. Too much white also feels unsafe to non-white birds as there is nowhere for them to hide. 

So, if there’s one color that you should avoid when birding, it’s white.

Bright yellow/green/orange

Frankly, bright and fluorescent colors aren’t the best choice when you’re birdwatching. They’re far too conspicuous, and you will stand out.

Even from a distance, certain birds might be put off by bright colors, so it’s best to avoid them wherever possible to give your chance the best chance of spotting birds in their natural environment. 

The bottom line here is that any colors that are likely to attract unnecessary attention are best avoided. As you know, birds are easily spooked, so you don’t want to risk scaring them off by wearing the wrong colored jacket.

Anything shiny

Okay, so ‘shiny’ isn’t a color, but it’s worth noting here. People who want to keep birds away from their properties often deck their outside spaces with reflective materials or shiny, silver sheets. 

Understandably, this is extremely off-putting for birds, so you need to be mindful of anything reflective you might have on your clothing.

You should steer clear of reflective vests and safety clothing, for instance, as they glimmer in the sunlight and are likely to unsettle the birdlife around you. 

Something that’s also worth noting is that researchers have found that birds can see UV rays. This is why reflective fabrics and other surfaces are so problematic when you’re birding. 

You should also think carefully about wearing a watch, as light may reflect off the screen and frighten a nearby bird.

Are there any birds that like bright colors?

Curiously, hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors. Photo Credit: Candi Foltz.

Although most birds are spooked by bright colors, hummingbirds are an exception. In fact, they are attracted to bright colors, and wearing the likes of pinks, yellows, and oranges will actually help your chances of spotting a hummingbird. 

Hummers are particularly attracted to red, too, as highlighted by their penchant for red feeders and flowers.

If you’ve ever watched a hummingbird in flight, you will notice that they actually seek out the most vibrant colors in a space before touching down. This is certainly unusual for birds, but it’s what makes hummers so unique. 

Therefore, if you’re on a mission to add a sub-species of a hummingbird to your lifer list, there’s nothing wrong with dressing up a little more brightly than usual. 

Just be mindful that doing so is likely to put off other species, even if you do manage to catch a glimpse of the hummer you’ve been yearning to spot.

So, what colors should you wear when birding?

When planning your outfit for a birding trip, begin by considering your environment. The best thing to do is to wear comfortable clothes that will blend into the natural world around you. 

So, dark greens, greys, and browns will all work reasonably well if you’re headed into a wooded area. 

But if you’re going to a waterfront, you could opt for lighter shades of grey or even blue to blend in at the water’s edge.

You have probably noticed that some twitchers have all the gear and are typically camouflaged from head to foot, but this isn’t necessary. 

Instead, wear sensible and comfortable clothes that ensure you’re not conspicuous as you settle in for an afternoon of bird watching.

Do you need to buy specific clothes to go birding?

You don’t need to wear anything specific to go birding; just wear what’s comfortable. Photo Credit: Kayla Farmer.

Contrary to what some people might believe, you don’t need to wear a specific outfit to go birding. After all, there’s no uniform to adhere to! 

Therefore, you can turn to your wardrobe and wear any suitable outdoor clothes that you already have, so there’s no need to spend a fortune on the latest Patagonia gear just to look the part.

As mentioned, the key thing to consider when choosing your birding outfit is the colors that you opt for. Greys, khakis, browns, and dark greens are all ideal, particularly if you’re birding in a wooded area. 

But of course, seasonality affects birding, so you will need to dress accordingly to ensure you’re both comfortable and well hidden from the birds that you hope to spot. 

Even in the East African summer, I’d recommend long pants and long-sleeved shirts, as you need to protect your skin from the sun while you’re out and about. Long clothes will also help to keep the insects at bay.

Does wearing the right colors guarantee a sighting?

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to spotting wildlife. And for me, that’s the best thing about birding. 

You have no idea what you’re going to see from one day to the next, which is what makes it so exciting. 

However, it’s fair to say that wearing the right clothing will increase your chances of seeing birds. Rocking up to a viewing spot in a bright white jacket and fluorescent pants is a big no-no! 

Provided that you’re dressed sensibly and appropriately, you have as good a chance as anyone else of spotting the species of bird that you’re hoping to see.

Key Takeaways: Colors to avoid when birding

So, as we’ve explored, there’s a lot to think about before heading out on your first birding expedition, particularly where the color of your clothes is concerned. 

To round things up, we want to leave you with these takeaways that you should remember as you plan your outfit for birding:

  • Never wear white when bird watching, as birds regard it as a sign of danger. 
  • Birds can see UV lights, so don’t wear reflective or safety clothing. 
  • You should also avoid all bright and fluorescent colors unless you’re hoping to spot a hummingbird. Hummers are attracted to bright reds, pinks, and oranges in particular. 
  • Leave anything shiny at home, and consider removing your watch, so the reflection from the screen doesn’t spook the birds. 
  • The best colors to wear when birding are those that help you blend into your surroundings. The likes of dark browns, greens, and greys are all ideal for a woodland trip. 
  • You do not need to buy any specific clothes to go birding. Just wear sensible outdoor clothing that isn’t brightly colored, and you will be good to go. 
  • Wearing the right colors won’t guarantee you sightings. After all, birds are wild, and you can’t control what you see from day to day, even if you are wearing all the right gear. 

You now have all the information you need to plan your outfit for your upcoming birding trip. I hope you have a wonderful time and see everything that you had hoped for!

Planning your first birdwatching trip in East Africa? Check out my helpful Birdwatching for Beginners article to learn everything you need to know!

Ten Reasons to Visit Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

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Looking for reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda? Let me explain.

Lake Bunyonyi is paradise on earth. Hidden in the southwestern Uganda highlands, it’s a place like no other, with an incredible wealth of birdlife, stunning natural beauty, and a whole host of activities to keep tourists entertained. 

I’ve genuinely lost count of how many times I’ve visited Lake Bunyonyi, but I would say I’ve been there on at least ten separate occasions. Therefore, I put together this article to provide you with ten reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, one of my favorite places on earth. 

If you have any questions about any of the points I raise or need some help booking a trip or accommodation, drop me a line in the comments below, and I’d be delighted to help you out.

But without further ado – here are ten reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi, the jewel in Uganda’s crown.

10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is a destination that truly takes your breath away and comes highly recommended by practically everyone who visits. But, if you still need persuading, here are 10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi, a true paradise on earth:

Reason #1: It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth

There’s something magical about Lake Bunyonyi, particularly at sunrise.

I’ve traveled to lots of different places over the years, but I’m still yet to come across a place that I love as much as Lake Bunyonyi. I’m not just saying that for the purposes of this article; I genuinely think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. 

When you arrive in Kabale – the nondescript town that serves as the gateway to Lake Bunyonyi – you almost certainly won’t be prepared for the natural beauty that lies in wait.

The journey up the steep hill from town gives way to rolling terraces before the lake comes into view for the first time. As you wind your way back down to the lake shore, you start reaching some of the resorts and guesthouses that house the tourists that make it to this stunning part of the world.

I guarantee that you will want to take photos at practically every turn you make on the road, but there’s no rush. The pace of life in and around the shores of Bunyonyi is super slow, so you can head for a casual walk when you arrive at your lodgings and snap photos until your heart is content!

Reason #2: It’s safe for swimming

There aren’t many places (swimming pools excluded) that are safe for swimming in Uganda. And much to many people’s surprise, the biggest threat in water bodies is posed by the ungainly hippopotamus, which is responsible for around 500 human deaths in Africa every year.

Of course, Uganda’s waterways are also home to a sizeable population of Nile Crocodiles, pre-historic beasts that can grow up to 20 feet in length. Suffice it to say that you wouldn’t want to get in the water when a croc is around!

And if the threat of crocs and hippos isn’t enough to put you off swimming in freshwater lakes in Uganda, the presence of bilharzia might just seal the deal. It’s a tropical disease that can live in snails that are present in some freshwater bodies, and it’s not an infection that you want to risk catching.

But the good news? Lake Bunyonyi is free from hippos and crocs, and has been declared free from bilharzia, too. As a result, it’s one of only a few freshwater lakes safe for swimming in East Africa, making it an extremely popular tourist destination for this reason alone!

Reason #3: It’s perfect for birding

Bunyonyi literally means “place of many little birds,” and it’s one of East Africa’s prime destinations for birding safaris. It would be impractical to list all of the bird species native to Bunyonyi here, but you will see everything from egrets to eagles in and around the lake shores, and it’s a wonderful place to add to your lifer list. 

If you’re familiar with my articles, you will know that I’m a keen birdwatcher, and I’m so proud that a long-crested eagle has recently settled into one of the trees in my backyard!

Given that Bunyonyi is only a few hours’ drive from my home, I tend to visit several times a year, and I always take my camera with me in the hope of capturing images of as many birds as possible. 

If you don’t want to go things alone when you visit Bunyonyi, you can arrange guided birding safaris with local experts, and it makes for a wonderful afternoon as you walk around the lake looking for the various species that call this part of Uganda home. 

So, if you’re a keen birder and you’re planning an upcoming vacation in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is an absolute must-visit destination!

Check out my recent article about birdwatching for beginners in East Africa, to help you prepare for your first birding trip in the region!

Reason #4: There’s a lot of interesting local history

When you spend time at Lake Bunyonyi, you can learn about the fascinating history of the Bakiga tribe, who are native to the lake shores and the surrounding districts. 

One of the main points of interest at Lake Bunyonyi is Akampene – known in English as Punishment Island. Up until the middle of the twentieth century, unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned on the island and left to die. You can pass the eerie Punishment Island on a dug-out canoe when you visit Lake Bunyonyi, as a local guide offers context to this abhorrent practice.

Another point of interest within Lake Bunyonyi is Sharp’s Island, which served as a leprosy treatment center during the 1930s. Again, knowledgeable local guides are at hand to take you past the island, informing you of the intricacies of Sharp’s work and his legacy to this day. 

The Bakiga are extremely friendly and always willing to chat about their past, and the local history of the area is yet another reason to visit Lake Bunyonyi during your upcoming vacation in Uganda.

Reason #5: The crayfish is to die for

As a lover of seafood, I would travel a long way to enjoy the freshwater crayfish that is served by many of the restaurants and hotels that surround Lake Bunyonyi. Fortunately, I only have to drive for a few hours to enjoy this Ugandan delicacy, and the crayfish is truly out of this world. 

Plucked from the lake on a daily basis, the restaurants surrounding Lake Bunyonyi serve up dishes that include avocado and garlic crayfish, crayfish linguini, and crayfish curry, the latter being my personal favorite.

While there are lots of nice places to eat at Lake Bunyonyi, I highly recommend the restaurant at Bunyonyi Birdnest – crayfish features heavily on the menu, and there is an awesome selection of beers and wines to wash it down with, as well as stunning views across the lake.

Reason #6: There are lots of accommodation options

This article isn’t intended as a review of accommodation in and around Bunyonyi – you can use TripAdvisor for that – but what I will say is that there are so many accommodation options for you to choose from, at very reasonable prices given how beautiful the setting is. 

I’ve stayed at more than five different spots at Lake Bunyonyi on my many visits (and perhaps more, but I can only remember five!). The aforementioned Birdnest is perhaps my favorite, but I also want to give a shoutout to Byoona Amagara.

Located on an island, Byoona Amagara is an eco-friendly lodge in which you can sleep in purpose-built eco domes for unrivaled views across the lake. It’s the ultimate chill-out destination and a great place to get away from the world!

Reason #7: You can easily include it on your itinerary

When you look at Lake Bunyonyi on a map, you will be forgiven for thinking it’s not in a great location. After all, it’s tucked away in the far southwestern corner of Uganda. 

But assuming that you’ve come to Uganda for safari, Lake Bunyonyi is only a few hours’ drive away from Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the drive from Kihihi is nothing short of spectacular, as you are provided with incredible views as you make your way to the lake. 

Bunyonyi is also close to Uganda’s main gorilla trekking destinations and is a few hours’ drive from Buhoma, the main entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. So, if you’re in Uganda for safari or gorilla trekking, there’s absolutely no reason not to round off your trip with a few days at Lake Bunyonyi.

Another thing worth noting is that Lake Bunyonyi is around one hour away from the Rwandan border, which is ideal for visitors entering Uganda from the Gatuna border post. 

Given that lots of people opt for the East African Tourist Visa and visit Rwanda and Uganda during the same trip, adding a trip to beautiful Bunyonyi to your itinerary is a wonderful way to relax before your flight back home.

Reason #8: You can take a boat cruise

Preparing to take a canoe out onto Lake Bunyonyi! They’re much more difficult to control than they look…

While this might seem like an obvious thing to say, one of the best activities to enjoy at Lake Bunyonyi is a pre-arranged boat cruise with a local guide. You can hop in a dug-out canoe and watch the world go by at a leisurely pace, or you can arrange a motor boat to take you around the lake more quickly. 

Either way, hopping on a boat is a great way to explore the various islands that are dotted around the lake. 

You will also see lots of wildlife, and your guide will be able to point out the various points of interest that are prevalent on the shores of the lake.

Boat cruises are relatively inexpensive, too, with our recent boat trip costing around $30 for a two-hour trip on a motorized boat. We arranged it for just before our evening meal, so it was the perfect way to watch the sunset.

Reason #9: There’s an outdoor adventure park

While I like to visit Bunyonyi to switch off and recharge my batteries, I know lots of people prefer to fill their vacations with various activities. For the outdoorsy among you, there’s actually an outdoor adventure park on an island in the middle of the lake! 

Although I’ve never been to the park myself, my friends go there often and enjoy rope climbing and the zip wire, which I certainly would have enjoyed when I was younger. 

You don’t need to make arrangements ahead of time and can simply turn up on the island to enter the park. However, you can always make arrangements with your tour operator if you like to be organized, as you need to at least arrange transport from the mainland to the park – something that can be arranged with staff at the park itself.

Reason #10: There’s nowhere else like it in East Africa

Given that the Great Rift Valley is located in East Africa, the region isn’t short of crater lakes and remnants of volcanic activity from centuries ago. However, Lake Bunyonyi is truly a one-of-a-kind destination for the nine reasons mentioned above. 

It’s safe, located close to many of the other points of interest in this part of Uganda, and has an abundance of birdlife that cannot be found elsewhere in the Pearl of Africa. 

So, if you’re planning a trip to Uganda in the near future, you cannot afford to miss Lake Bunyonyi.

Recap: 10 reasons to visit Lake Bunyonyi

Of all the tourist destinations in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is probably my favorite – and I don’t say that lightly. Trust me, if you make the effort to visit this gorgeous part of the world, you simply won’t regret it.

While you can arrange a trip to Bunyonyi yourself, I have partnered with AJ Tours and Travel, who are specialist safari providers in East Africa. Andrew and the team can arrange all of your travel and accommodation needs in Uganda and can put together the perfect itinerary – with Lake Bunyonyi as a star attraction at the end of your vacation!

East Africa Birdwatching for Beginners Checklist

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Welcome to my birdwatching for beginners guide!

Birdwatching is one of the most accessible hobbies in the world, and the stark truth is this: you don’t need anything to go birdwatching. 

There, I’ve said it. 

You can simply walk outside and look above you before waiting to see what birds make their way into your immediate surroundings. This is the reason why I enjoy bird watching so much, as you can just pop outside for five minutes to see what’s around. 

Still, there are certain items that make birdwatching that little bit easier, particularly if you’re heading out into woodland for an actual bird-watching trip, or planning to go bird-watching on an upcoming safari in Africa.

But before diving in and buying all the latest and most expensive gear, the reality is you probably have most – if not all – of the items you could possibly need to go bird-watching already. 

Therefore, I’ve put together this super helpful checklist that includes everything I think you need to go bird-watching as a beginner. I’ve also included some tips on what you don’t need, regardless of what you might have heard from an experienced birder. 

Ready to dive into our list? Let’s go.

Birdwatching for beginners: What do you need?

Instead of telling you what you need to take birding, I’ve decided to list seven things that I think you might find helpful as a beginner bird watcher. You can agree or disagree with me; it’s entirely up to you!

Birdwatching for beginners: 7 helpful items

So, here’s my suggested checklist, followed by a closer look at why I think you can utilize these items during your upcoming birding trip to East Africa.

An open mind

Okay, so the first thing isn’t actually a “thing,” but it’s perhaps the most important point on this entire list. When you’ve decided to go bird-watching, you need to adopt an open mindset and manage your expectations. 

What I mean by this is that birds come and go as they please, and you’re not guaranteed to see one species over another. 

If you leave home expecting and hoping more than anything to see an elusive shoebill, for instance, on your first-ever trip, you might end up disappointed. 

While it’s nice to think of birds that you would like to see, you shouldn’t set any expectations of what you will see on your upcoming trip.

Instead, regard the trip as an opportunity to be present in the great outdoors, and see what you discover. 

This way, you won’t be bitterly disappointed if you don’t spot a rare bird that you had very little chance of seeing in the first place.

Time and patience

Birdwatching in Uganda - a long-crested eagle
There’s something about eagles! I snapped this moody looking long-crested eagle in my garden in Uganda recently. One of the many perks of living in this beautiful part of the world!

Adding to my previous point, you need to be patient when you’re out birding. Birds don’t adhere to the same strict patterns that we do, and you will find that different birds come and go throughout the day. 

While I’m not saying that you need to go and sit in the bush all day just to see something, you equally can’t expect to rock up and see all the native species in a specific area in a matter of minutes. 

So many of us (myself included!) are guilty of wanting things to happen right away. With birding, you need to be patient as you observe the natural world around you.

I actually think bird watching is an excellent mindfulness activity, and it encourages people to focus their attention on the present moment. 

As such, it can be a great way to de-stress and unwind, so long as you don’t get agitated about not seeing a specific bird species!

The right clothing

Okay, so now it’s time to look at the practical items on our checklist. When you go birding, you need to dress appropriately. Here are my suggestions: 

  • Long-sleeved shirts to keep the insects and sun at bay. 
  • Lightweight pants with pockets – cargo pants or something similar are ideal. 
  • Long socks and comfortable footwear. What you wear on your feet depends on where you’re going, but if you’re planning to follow trails, hiking boots are your best bet. 
  • A hat and sunglasses if you’re birdwatching in the summer. 
  • Choose dull colors that help you blend into your natural surroundings. Birds don’t like white and bright colors, so bear this in mind when picking your outfit.

In addition to these items, you should dress for the weather. Obviously, if you’re birding in East Africa during the rainy season, take some waterproof clothing with you. 

But as you can see from the list, you don’t need to wear anything fancy to go birding. Just wear some comfortable clothes that you already have in your closet and get out there!

Binoculars

Binoculars aren’t essential for bird watching, but they do help considerably. The best thing about birding binoculars is that they help you keep your distance from birds. 

Most birds are scared of humans, so if you get too close in an attempt to spot a certain species, you might scare them away before you’ve been able to take a good look.

However, investing in a pair of binoculars is a decent way to improve your overall bird-watching experience. 

There’s absolutely no reason to splash the cash on a pair of binoculars if you don’t want to. In fact, you can grab a great pair of binoculars for birding on Amazon for less than £30, which will serve you well as you head out into the woods.

Top tip: When you’re looking for birding binoculars, pay attention to the power magnification and lens width. For instance, a pair might be expressed as 12×42, which means it has 12x power magnification and 42mm lenses. This would be ideal for getting you started.

A camera

As is the case with binoculars, you don’t need a camera to go bird watching. If you want to get out into nature and see what’s around you, there’s absolutely no need to take pictures at the same time, if you don’t want to. 

Personally, I love taking pictures of birds, so I take my camera with me when I go birding, but that’s just my preference. I have a Sony bridge camera with 30x optical zoom. 

Is it the best camera in the world? No. 

Does it enable me to take awesome pictures of birds that I can share with my family and friends? Yes.

As I’ve got more into bird watching, I have considered investing in a new camera, but I haven’t taken the plunge yet. 

My advice here is that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on an impeccable wildlife camera if you don’t want to. 

A digital camera with zoom capabilities is more than sufficient for anyone with interest in watching and taking pictures of birds. If you have one already, great. But if not, you can hop onto Amazon and pick up a great camera for a few hundred dollars.

One thing I would say is that you probably need a camera instead of relying on your smartphone. The reality is that unless a bird is super close to you, a smartphone camera won’t be able to do the shot justice.

Notebook/Journal

I find it helpful to carry a small journal with me when I go bird watching. That way, I can make notes about the birds that I sight. 

For instance, I have a little journal that I keep on my desk that includes the birds that I see in and around my garden. In Uganda, so many birds I’m unfamiliar with come and go, so my notebook always comes in handy.

I’ve got to know all of the species pretty well that I share a home with, but I’m always thrilled when I see a new bird enter the fray! 

Having my journal on hand is my way of learning (and remembering!) the species native to my area as I check through my field guide to help me. What is a field guide, I hear you ask? More on that below.

Field guide

My birdwatching Bibles! I take these books everywhere with me when heading on safari or holiday in Uganda.

A field guide is basically a book that consists of pictures and descriptions of the bird species that are native to a certain area. 

As a beginner birder, a field guide will help you enormously, as it will provide you with tips on how to identify a species while serving as a pictorial reference guide when you’re completely unsure of what you’ve just seen! 

Of course, you can use the internet to help you in this day and age, but I love nothing more than flicking through a field guide to identify a species that I’ve just spotted. 

I use two field guides right now to help me. The first is a pocket guide containing the Birds of East Africa, and the second is a charming coffee-table book containing all the birds of Uganda specifically.

I use the two in tandem, but I like to carry the pocket guide around with me when I’m on the road. I’m headed to Kenya next month, and I will no doubt have my pocket field guide in my backpack.

Birdwatching for beginners: What you don’t need

As you can see from my checklist, the truth is that you don’t need a great deal of things to go bird-watching. Therefore, it’s a really easy hobby to get into. 

Before bringing this article to a close, I just want to touch on a few things that I don’t think you need to go birding. In other words, I don’t want them to serve as barriers to entry!

The best and most expensive gear

As is the case when you’re starting any hobby, a quick Google search will reveal a whole host of items that might at first seem essential to your life as a bird watcher. 

And before you know it, you’ve spent thousands of dollars on binoculars, a camera, and a range of other high-tech equipment that you don’t actually need. 

While everyone is entitled to spend whatever they like on gear, I just want to reemphasize the fact that you don’t need the best and most expensive equipment to enjoy bird watching. 

You can always upgrade your equipment as you get more into bird watching if you like, so don’t feel as if you need to spend the big bucks when you’re just getting started.

Special clothing

Living in Uganda, I marvel at the fact that so many tourists dress in the same way to come on safari! Be it a wildlife trip or a birding experience; people seem to wear super expensive clothes that they’ve obviously ordered specifically for their safari. 

But to go birding, you don’t need to wear anything special. You certainly don’t need to order expensive pants or shirts to try and look a certain way.

Just make sure your clothing doesn’t cause you to stand out when you go birding, as bright colors are likely to scare away the birds. 

My advice would be to wear clothes that you already have, instead of investing hundreds of bucks in the latest brands of clothing.

Knowledge of birds

Finally, I want to reassure you that you don’t need to know a single thing about birds before heading out on your first bird-watching trip. 

The best way to learn about something is to go ahead and find out for yourself. Even if you can’t identify one single species during your first outing, it doesn’t matter. 

I invite you to head out into the natural world and look around you. You can then use a field guide (or your smartphone) to try and discover what the bird is that you’ve just spotted. 

And that, in a nutshell, is my favorite thing about birding! You’ll be an expert in no time at all.

Recap: Birdwatching for beginners in East Africa

So, to recap, here are seven things that can help you when you’re just starting out as a bird watcher and are about to undertake a trip in East Africa: 

  • An open mindset 
  • Time and patience 
  • The right clothing 
  • Binoculars 
  • A camera 
  • Notebook/journal 
  • Field guide

If you have any other tips on items that will help beginner birders, please feel free to drop your suggestions in the comment section below! 

Otherwise, happy birding, and I hope you’ve found my birdwatching for beginners guide helpful!

If you’re planning to take your kids’ birdwatching in East Africa, this guide to birding with children will help you prepare for the adventure! You might also find this informative guide to what not to wear birding helpful, ahead of your first birdwatching trip in East Africa!