Uganda Birding Tours in Rwenzori Mountains : Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in south-western Uganda on the east side of the western (Albertine) African rift valley. It lies along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and borders the DRC’s Virunga National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for 50 km (31 mi). It is situated in Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Kasese.
The park has many species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift system, and there are several endangered species in the park. It has a high diversity of plants and trees. The park is noted for its botany, which has been described as some of the most beautiful in the world. There are five distinct vegetation zones in the park, which change according to changes in altitude. The park has over 200 species of birds, 15 species of butterflies, and four species of primates. The park’s wildlife varies with elevation, and its species include the forest elephant and chimpanzee.
Common spotted bird species in the Rwenzori Mountains
During a Uganda birding safari in the Rwenzori mountains, birders are fascinated by the abundance of bird species such as Mountain Liliopsids, Rwenzori streaky seed-eater, Green-white eye, Rufous Sparrow Hawk, Toro Olive Greenbul, Archers’ Robin Chat, Kivu grosbeak seed-eater, Golden-winged Sunbird, Alpine Swift, Olive Pigeon, bearded vultures, Mountain Chat, Rwenzori white-starred Bush Robin, Red-faced woodland warbler, Cinnamon scrub warbler, East African Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird and the Lagden’s bush shrike Western lemon dove, Regal sunbird, Stripe-breasted tits, blue-headed sunbirds, Rwenzori Nightjar, the long-eared owl, Verneau’s eagles, Black rough-wing swallow, black-billed Turaco, Strange weaver, Olive-breasted Mountain Greenbul, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Handsome Francolins, Mountain yellow flycatcher, Long-tailed Cuckoo, Rwenzori hill babbler, Red-throated Alethe, Mountain Buzzard, Bamboo Warbler, Collared Apalis, Rwenzori Puffback flycatcher, slender-billed starling, black ducks, slender-billed chestnut winged starling, dusky flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, scarlet-tufted malachite, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Johnston’s Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, olive woodpeckers, white-starred robin, white-necked raven, Rwenzori Olive Thrush, African Lammergeyer, Lanner Falcon, Rwenzori Brown Woodland Warbler, White-tailed crested flycatcher, golden-winged sunbird, Rwenzori hill babbler, red-throated Alethe, mountain buzzard, bamboo warbler, and others
Essential equipment to consider while planning a Ugandan birding tour in the Rwenzori Mountains.
The equipment to consider on your birding tour to the Rwenzori Mountains includes a bird guidebook, a pair of binoculars for spotting small and distant species, a good camera with a good lens and enough storage, enough drinking water and snacks, sunglasses, strong waterproof hiking boots, long stocks, a walking stick, long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from being scratched, a hat, a rain jacket, and a sweater due to the unpredictable weather, a backpack for carrying the items you will need while birding, a first aid kit, and a long trouser because you will be walking through the jungles with unpleasant vegetation, among others.
Other activities to do in the Rwenzori Mountains
Nature walks
Nature walks around the Rwenzori Mountains offer the best of the nature experience. The nature walks here uncover the hidden gems of the mountains. taking leisurely walks through the lush forest and valleys of the Rwenzori mountains. While on a guided nature walk here, you’ll get a great chance to spot unique flora and stunning fauna, including various species of birds, primates, and rare birds.
Cultural encounter
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers opportunities for cultural experiences with one of the local tribes living at the foot of the mountains. Tourists can go and visit the village of Ruboni to learn about the daily lifestyle and history of the Bakonzo tribe. The Bakonzo people arrange cultural dance performances while sharing information about their history. You will also get the opportunity to visit a traditional healer and local blacksmiths. Visitors learn how to make fire locally and weave baskets. The Bulemba-Ihandiro Cultural Trail also takes visitors to the Bakonzo traditional museum.
Hiking
The Rwenzori Mountains offer the best hiking experience in Uganda. Hiking to the top of Margherita Peak, the highest peak in the mountain range, is challenging but rewarding. The Rwenzori Mountains have two hiking trails, such as the Central Circuit and Kilembe Trails, where visitors can navigate through them. As you hike Mount Rwenzori, you will start at the foothills. On the foothills of the mountain, it consists of farmland with crops such as coffee, which is a very important cash crop in the country. From there, you will have a beautiful land terrain and plant life of submontane vegetation in the Afro-montane zone covered by luxurious tropical evergreen forests with a high richness in colorful and species. On reaching the summit, you will get a chance to see the majestic snowcapped peaks that will leave you with a memorable and fascinating experience.
Why take a bird guide on this safari?
In order to have a successful and enjoyable birding safari, it is mandatory to have well-experienced and knowledgeable birding sites, as this increases your chances of seeing a number of less common species. These guides are very knowledgeable of the exact places where you can go to enjoy better views of the bird species within these wetlands.
You may choose to hire one of the local guides, who are similarly knowledgeable about the birds in this area. Through offering these services, they are able to earn a living, and in that way, you will be indirectly helping the Ugandan community. We, at Focus East Africa Tours, carefully choose our guides, so you can be guaranteed a great and remarkable birding safari during your stay in Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa.”
The best time to go birding in the Rwenzori Mountains
Birding in the Rwenzori Mountains is done throughout the year. However, the best period for bird watching is during the dry season, from December to February and June to August, which is ideal for birding as it offers clear skies and more predictable weather.
