Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Green-breasted Pitta |
 Eastern Gorilla |
 Ross’s Turaco |
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 Shoebill |
 Bare-faced Go-away-birds |
 Red-faced Barbet |
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Overview
This customized 17-day version of our set-departure Uganda tour took in most of the classic Ugandan birding and wildlife sites, however we did not visit Semliki Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve, in the southwest. We were able to target (and find) many of the Albertine Rift bird endemics and then of course sought out a host of charismatic and iconic Ugandan birds such as Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta and Grauer’s Broadbill and then enjoyed ourselves as we focused on other classic Ugandan wildlife such as Eastern (Mountain) Gorilla, Chimpanzee, various other primates and many more.
This tour took place in mid to late July which meant we were there before the rainy season and thankfully weather played almost no role on this tour, with only one downpour in Murchison Falls and temperatures being mild throughout. By visiting Uganda in July, it also meant we had very good chances of finding Green-breasted Pitta and Grauer’s Broadbill which both certainly played along! All in all, we managed a trip list of 490 bird species with 471 of those seen and 19 heard only, as well as 41 species of mammals which included some highly charismatic and most-wanted species (detailed bird and mammal lists can be found at the end of this report).
The tour also took in some splendid scenery and environments such as the highland forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the mighty Murchison Falls on the Nile River. Uganda birding tours have so much diversity and wonder to offer, and this tour certainly did not disappoint!
Detailed Report
Day 1, 14th July 2022. Birding around Entebbe
With the entire group having arrived at least the day before, we were able to get up early and begin exploring the leafy garden of our hotel and the surrounding area. It didn’t take long until we had built up a decent list of the common birds of Entebbe which included the likes of Palm-nut Vulture, African Goshawk, African Hobby, Grey Parrot, African Grey Woodpecker, Double-toothed Barbet, Ross’s Turaco, Eastern Plantain-eater, Jacobin Cuckoo, African Green Pigeon, Black-headed Gonolek and Red-chested, Scarlet-chested, Green-headed and Variable Sunbirds.
After lunch we headed out to the Entebbe Botanical Garden where we enjoyed walking underneath the massive trees which line Lake Victoria. As we stepped off the vehicle, we found Black-necked Weaver, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Crowned Hornbill and a kettle of Hooded Vultures and Marabou Storks. We soon heard the loud call of the massive Great Blue Turaco which took some time to track down but eventually showed well for us all. As we wandered through the gardens, new birds kept appearing such as African Goshawk, Green Crombec, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Little Greenbul, Rüppell’s Starling and Olive, Olive-bellied and Green-throated Sunbirds. Down at the lakeside we added Western Cattle and Little Egrets, African Openbill and Pied Kingfisher.
After a good first day in Uganda, we had an enjoyable dinner and ended with a very showy pair of African Wood Owls in the garden.
Day 2, 15th July 2022. Mabamba Swamp and transfer to Lake Mburo
This morning included our much-anticipated boat trip on Mabamba Swamp to connect with perhaps the most desired target bird of any trip to Uganda – the prehistoric-looking Shoebill. We left Entebbe before sunrise and arrived at the swamp not long after sunrise and headed out on three motorized boats in search of quarry. It didn’t take long before word of a nearby Shoebill spread and we headed off towards a very tight channel. Unfortunately, only two of our boats could squeeze down the channel for point-blank, full-body views (with the other boat enjoying good head views only) of the mighty Shoebill before it took flight to another section of the swamp. Our drivers managed to track it down again and we had further views and later on had close-up flight views. A great way to start our Uganda birding tour! While navigating through the various channels and bays of the swamp we added a number of waterbirds and water-associated species such as African Marsh Harrier, White-faced Whistling Duck, African Swamphen, Long-toed Lapwing, African Jacana, White-winged Tern, Squacco, Grey and Purple Herons, Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets, Blue-headed Coucal, Winding Cisticola, and a number of beautiful Blue-breasted Bee-eaters. Overhead we encountered several aerial feeders such as African Palm, Little and White-rumped Swifts, White-headed Saw-wing, Banded Martin and Grey-rumped, Angolan, Barn and Red-breasted Swallows.
After our boat ride we briefly birded the woodlands around the swamp which produced Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Black-headed Gonolek, African Blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Nigrita, Village Indigobird, Brimstone Canary and our only Red-headed Lovebirds of the trip.
After a successful morning at Mabamba, we were on our way and enjoyed lunch at the Equator, with the obligatory photos in the midday heat, before we kept heading west towards Lake Mburo National Park where we were based for the next two nights. Along the road we kept on picking up new birds such as Shikra, Lilac-breasted Roller, Grey-backed Fiscal, Mourning Collared Dove, Marico Sunbird and others. Once we hit the final stretch of dirt road to the park, we took our time and enjoyed some fine woodland birding. Highlights here included: Crested Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, White-browed Coucal, Senegal and African Wattled Lapwings, Blue-naped Mousebird, Olive Bee-eater, Spot-flanked Barbet, Tropical Boubou, Wattled Starling, Holub’s Golden Weaver and a Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat as we arrived at our lodge. After a long drive we fell asleep to the sounds of Freckled and Square-tailed Nightjars and Rock Hyrax.
Day 3, 16th July 2022. Birding Lake Mburo National Park
Today we had the full day to explore the Lake Mburo area and to track down as many of our targets as possible. As we left our lodge at sunrise, we found our first Trilling Cisticola, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Bateleur, Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Orange-breasted Bushshrike and our only White-headed Barbet of the trip. At the Lake Mburo National Park entrance gate, we enjoyed a good bird party which held the likes of Grey Penduline Tit, Striped and Woodland Kingfishers, Buff-bellied Warbler, Grey-backed Camaroptera and Black-lored Babbler. Overhead we had Mosque and Red-rumped Swallows and a single Brown-throated Martin. Once we made it into the park, we soon found the localized Long-tailed Cisticola while the large herds of African Buffalo were adorned with Yellow-billed Oxpeckers. We enjoyed our first looks at other large game here including the likes of Plains Zebra, Impala, (Defassa) Waterbuck, (Rothschild’s) Giraffe and large troops of Olive Baboon and Vervet Monkey.
We arrived at Lake Mburo in the late morning for our boat trip where African Finfoot was our primary target. It did not take long to locate our quarry and we eventually ended up seeing three individuals over the next couple of hours. Other waterbirds seen here included Rufous-bellied, Striated and Goliath Herons, Hamerkop, Water Thick-knee, Black Crake, Long-toed and Spur-winged Lapwings, African Openbill and good numbers of African Fish Eagles. While on our boat cruise we also saw many pods of Hippopotamus and a few massive Nile Crocodiles.
Our late-afternoon game drive around the park was a little quiet however we did still manage to find Nubian Woodpecker, White-backed Vulture, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Sooty Chat and Variable Sunbird. We also checked the open areas for Brown-chested Lapwing which eventually showed for us (well spotted Harriet!). We birded around the lodge in the late afternoon which was nice and birdy and gave us sightings of Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Yellow-throated Leaflove (Greenbul), Tropical Boubou and Red-faced Crombec. As darkness fell, we had flyby views of both Square-tailed and Freckled Nightjars before enjoying another delicious meal and calling it a day.
Day 4, 17th July 2022. Lake Mburo to Ruhija
As we were still missing our primary target of the area, Red-faced Barbet, we decided to head back into the park to bird the woodlands around the entrance gate. It did not take long before we had a pair of Red-faced Barbets with a Black-collared Barbet in tow and we enjoyed prolonged looks of these two similar barbets, both with very restricted ranges in Uganda. This morning proved particularly birdy and we also added Common Scimitarbill, Green Wood Hoopoe, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Southern Black Flycatcher, Black-bellied Bustard, African Grey Hornbill, Fawn-breasted Waxbill and Gabar Goshawk. After a late breakfast, we then hit the long road to Ruhija.
Along the drive we stopped for good looks at Grey Crowned Crane, Yellow-billed and Woolly-necked Storks and Pink-backed Pelican. A stop at a papyrus swamp gave us Swamp Flycatcher, African Stonechat, Greater Swamp Warbler, Carruther’s Cisticola, Western Citril, Slender-billed Weaver and an African Yellow Warbler which we tried to turn into Papyrus Yellow Warbler but had to settle with its commoner cousin. The calling White-winged Swamp Warblers would unfortunately not show themselves. The increase in elevation meant that we started seeing birds such as Bronzy Sunbird, Augur Buzzard, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater and our main target for the drive, Ruaha Chat. After a long drive we made it into Ruhija just as the sun was setting and looked forward to the prospect of tomorrow’s Mubwindi Swamp hike.
Day 5, 18th July 2022. Mubwindi Swamp walk
We had our breakfast before dawn and were soon on our way to the start of the famous Mubwindi Swamp hike. The hike is well-known in birding circles as it represents the best chance of finding the range-restricted Grauer’s Broadbill which otherwise only occurs in tropical rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo where birding possibilities are extremely limited. It also offers great opportunities to see a whole host of Albertine Rift endemics. It is however a long, grueling walk which resulted in some aching bodies at the end of the day! We had the local expert Raymond with us, who amazed us with his ability to spot birds in the dim light of the forest understory.
Right as we started the walk, we started ticking off Albertine Rift endemics in the form of Regal Sunbird which showed well for us in the gloomy light. Next up was Mountain Illadopsis which we managed to coax out of the bushes for some very brief glimpses, soon followed by much showier Ruwenzori and Mountain Masked Apalises. As we made our way down through the rainforest we added a long list of new species such as Northern Puffback, Albertine Sooty Boubou (for some), Grey Cuckooshrike, Mountain Oriole, Olive-breasted, Slender-billed, Yellow-whiskered and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Black-faced (Banded) Prinia, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Waller’s Starling, Abyssinian Thrush, Rwenzori Batis, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Blue-headed and Northern Double-collared Sunbirds and Brown-capped Weaver. Alarming Blue Monkeys gave away the presence of a Crowned Eagle as it flew overhead.
Once we made it to the lower elevations closer to the swamp, Raymond excitedly announced that the Grauer’s Broadbill was calling and we soon heard the high-pitched calls of this rare species. It did not take long until we found the bird in the mid-stratum and enjoyed good views as it sat quietly. The bird soon flushed and we spent the next while trying to improve our views. We did eventually have prolonged, but distant, views of a fledged chick which was occasionally fed by the adult.
We enjoyed our lunch on the edge of Mubwindi Swamp where we eventually managed to see Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, however the calling African Rails and Red-chested Flufftails would not show for us. Other birds seen at the swamp included Mountain Buzzard, Black-and-white Mannikin, Western Citril, Carruther’s and Chubb’s Cisticolas and Black Saw-wing.
In the early afternoon we began the long, slow walk back up the hill which resulted in many further new birds such as Black-billed Turaco, Grey-throated Barbet, Rwenzori and Chinspot Batises, Dusky and Stripe-breasted Tits, White-browed Crombec, Black-throated Apalis, Archer’s Ground and White-starred Robins, Strange Weaver and Red-headed Malimbe, with the highlight being a Lagden’s Bushshrike – well found Cris!
In the late afternoon we finally made it back to the road and cheered as our vehicle rounded the corner to fetch us! This ended our highly successful Mubwindi Swamp walk which was to be referred to as the Mubwindi Death March for the remainder of the trip, as it really is a grueling day out!
Day 6, 19th July 2022. Birding Ruhija and The Neck, and transfer to Buhoma
For those who were keen, we had a predawn start for Montane (Rwenzori) Nightjar which eventually showed for us after some work. The rest of the morning was spent birding the forest edge looking for a number of montane forest specials and we were again successful in locating most of our targets. A flowering tree had good numbers of sunbirds present including our desired Purple-breasted Sunbird along with Green-headed, Collared, Bronzy and Regal Sunbirds. Further down the track, some managed to see Mountain Yellow Warbler which proved very difficult to locate. Other good birds included Western Tinkerbird, Slender-billed, Sharpe’s and Violet-backed Starlings, Thick-billed Seedeater and a calling Doherty’s Bushshrike which would not reveal itself! Along the ‘School Track’ we had good views of Fine-banded Woodpecker and a relatively showy pair of Grauer’s Warblers.
After lunch back at our lodge we hit the road and started making our way to the lower elevations of Buhoma. Progress was slow as the birding was good. A roadside stop yielded Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Narina Trogon and more Stripe-breasted Tits. We made a quick stop in the farmlands for Dusky Twinspot which did not materialize, however we were happy with Yellow-crowned Canary and Streaky Seedeater.
Further down we stopped at some mid-elevation forest which is known as ‘The Neck’. Here we found further good birds in the form of African Black Duck, Black Bee-eater, Plain and Red-tailed Greenbuls, Green Hylia, Mountain Wagtail, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Black-faced Rufous Warbler and Grey-headed Sunbird. The remainder of the drive to Buhoma was fairly quiet and we arrived at our lovely lodge in the late afternoon and enjoyed a delicious meal to cap off the day.
Day 7, 20th July 2022. Buhoma main trail birding
After an early breakfast we set out along the main Buhoma trail which starts off in more open secondary forest and ultimately leads into primary forest where some of the more specialized deep forest species occur. New birds came thick and fast as we started birding the secondary forest close to the park offices with the likes of Lühder's Bushshrike, African and Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatchers, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Cassin’s Honeybird, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, White-chinned Prinia, Grey and Buff-throated Apalises, Olive-green Camaroptera, Black-billed Weaver, Grey-winged and calling Blue-shouldered Robin-Chats and Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, all making their way onto our list. Once we got into the primary forest, we were able to eek out a few more specialized forest species such as Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Broadbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Ansorge’s, Honeyguide and Plain Greenbuls, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grey-chinned and Little Green Sunbirds, Sooty Flycatcher and Red-throated Alethe (for Jim only). Unfortunately, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon and Jameson’s Antpecker would only make it onto the heard-only list for the day. At the turnaround point of the trail we heard Neumann’s Warbler calling and spent a while crawling around the forest floor with eventually some of us managing to get brief views of this skulker. After another excellent day of forest birding, we headed back to our lodge and looked forward to the exciting prospect of tomorrow’s gorilla trekking!
Day 8, 21st July 2022. Gorilla trekking and late afternoon forest birding
Today was to be one of the many highlights of the trip as we spent the morning trekking Eastern (Mountain) Gorillas in the Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest! After our briefing and some traditional dancing, we set off with our rangers and guides. Thankfully, Harriet had arranged for our group to go visit a nearby family group, with Dom visiting another gorilla group which required a slightly longer hike. We all then spent a thoroughly enjoyable hour watching these impressive and gentle apes as they went about their daily return and all managed to see huge male silverbacks, females and playful juveniles and babies.
After a most enjoyable morning with the gorillas, we went back to our accommodation and had lunch and decided to take a couple of hours off in the heat of the early afternoon. Later in the afternoon we headed out to bird the secondary forest along the Buhoma main trail to see if we could find any of our still-missing forest targets. The birding was a little on the slow side, however we did steadily catch up on several of our missing targets. These included the likes of Tambourine Dove, Buff-spotted, Yellow-crested (Golden-crested) and Olive Woodpeckers, Bocage’s Bushshrike, Pink-footed Puffback (a catch-up for some), Ashy Flycatcher and a distant and brief flock of Scarce Swift. We also enjoyed better looks at Mountain Oriole, Slender-billed and Little Greenbuls, White-chinned Prinia, and the attractive Black-throated Apalis. Tonight would be our last dinner in the Bwindi area and we were treated to a very tasty traditional meal.
Day 9, 22nd July 2022. Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and afternoon birding
We had an early breakfast and then started making our way north towards Queen Elizabeth National Park where we would be birding for the next couple of days. We made a stop a couple of hours further north where we managed to find our target Red-throated Wryneck, while African Blue Flycatcher showed well too. The rest of the drive to the Ishasha section was uneventful and we entered the park in the late morning and spent the next few hours driving through the park enjoying the many birds and animals on offer. The open savanna produced some more great birds in the form of Jacobin Cuckoo, Senegal Lapwing, Brown Snake Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Olive Bee-eater, Grey-backed Fiscal, Black-headed Oriole, Trilling, Stout and Croaking Cisticolas, Moustached Grass Warbler, Black-lored Babbler and Red-collared Widowbird. As we drove through the park, we saw our first herds of African Elephant as well as small groups of Common Warthog, African Buffalo, (Defassa) Waterbuck, Kob and Topi. Unfortunately, the famous tree-climbing Lions of Ishasha would not materialize for us, despite our best efforts.
After checking into our accommodation, we did some relaxed birding around our lodge which again proved productive, with sightings of Swamp and Northern Black Flycatchers, Green-winged Pytilia, Mourning Collared Dove, Spot-flanked and Double-toothed Barbets and Brimstone Canary. Once it had cooled down a bit, we headed out to a nearby papyrus swamp where we eventually had good views of Papyrus Gonolek as well as Piapiac, Grey-capped Warbler and Crimson-rumped Waxbill. Unfortunately, yet again, the calling White-winged Swamp Warblers would not show themselves.
After our dinner a few of us headed out for a night drive which was successful with good views of Black-shouldered and Swamp Nightjars and brief views of a group of Giant Forest Hogs.
Day 10, 23rd July 2022. Birding Kasenyi track, Kazinga Channel boat cruise and transfer to Kibale Forest
We were up and out early again this morning to try make the most of the early morning temperatures before it heated up too much. We headed straight for the Kasenyi track where we picked up a ranger and slowly started driving the open savanna. The birding was a little on the slow side but again we steadily picked up exciting species as the morning progressed such as White-browed Coucal, Common Buttonquail, Kittlitz’s Plover, Collared Pratincole, Lizard Buzzard, Rufous-naped and Flappet Larks, Yellow-throated Longclaws and multiple Black-bellied Bustards.
Immediately after finishing our drive along the Kasenyi track, we headed to the Kazinga Channel where we boarded our boat and had a thoroughly enjoyable two-hour boat cruise with hordes of mammals coming down to drink along the water’s edge and many new and exciting bird species too. On the non-avian front, we had many impressive African Elephant, large groups of African Buffalo, wallowing herds of Hippopotamus, and protracted views of a single Giant Forest Hog which were improvements upon the previous evening’s brief glimpses. We had excellent views of many water-associated species such as African Skimmer, Grey-headed Gull, Yellow-billed Stork, African Openbill, Brown-chested Lapwing, Common and Wood Sandpipers, Striated, Squaccco, Goliath, and Grey Herons, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, Red-throated and Olive Bee-eaters, Malachite Kingfisher as well as the literally hundreds of Pied Kingfishers. A single Copper Sunbird was also seen which turned out to the only sighting of the trip!
We then headed back to our lodge for a quick lunch before we hit the road and made our way towards Kibale Forest and its incredible primate diversity. We arrived in Kibale Forest in the late afternoon and spent some time birding along the main road that cuts through the forest. We had a fantastic end to the day with several great forest species including the likes of Black-billed Turaco, African Emerald (for Sri and Derek only) and Klaas’s Cuckoos, Velvet-mantled Drongo as well as Narrow-tailed and Purple-headed Starlings. After a fun but long day we checked into our lovely lodge and enjoyed a delicious meal while discussing tomorrow’s pitta prospects before turning in for the evening.
Day 11, 24th July 2022. Pittas, chimps and other forest birds in Kibale Forest
To improve our chances of a Green-breasted Pitta sighting we had to get into the forest as early as possible. This meant another pre-dawn start and as we drove through the forest, we had White-tailed Ant Thrush and Fire-crested Alethe feeding in the road in the pre-dawn gloom. As we got out of the vehicle to start walking the trails for the pitta, we heard some movement above us and saw a single Chimpanzee as it quietly fed on a fruiting tree – a great start to the morning! We then slowly and quietly started making our way through the forest where we got to see a pair of Scaly-breasted Illadopsis and it wasn’t long until we heard the distant mechanical flight call of a displaying Green-breasted Pitta. We tried to get closer but the bird went silent and after a while of wandering around, with our spirits beginning to drop a little, the ranger excitedly called us to let us know he had seen one. We rushed to the site he had seen it, and gradually we all got to see bits and pieces of the pitta, although it was not an entirely satisfying view. Harriet and the ranger were confident it would keep working its way through the undergrowth and come out onto the path. We therefore all stood in position on the path and patiently waited and out it suddenly popped, where it remained in full view for the next minute or so. We could not ask for better views of Green-breasted Pitta (see front cover photo)!
After the excitement of our pitta sighting, we started making our way back to the vehicle and bumped into a bird party which had Brown-eared Woodpecker, Western Oriole, Green Crombec and Black-necked Weaver.
After returning to the vehicle, some of us went off Chimpanzee trekking. This was another wonderful experience as we watched them relaxing in the midday heat while others were quietly feeding on fruiting trees overhead. Those who did not join the Chimpanzee trekking went for a walk with Harriet along the main road where they added Blue-throated Brown Sunbird and Yellow-billed Barbet. We then made our way back to the lodge for a late lunch and had a couple of hours off in the heat of the early afternoon.
Feeling revived after an early afternoon nap, we headed out to Bigodi Swamp where we met local guide Rodgers. He excitedly showed us around his local patch, which he is very proud of and actively participates in the conservation of this small patch of swamp forest. We had a long list of targets for Rodgers and started working through this, when we saw the gorgeous Shining-blue Kingfisher (as well as African Pygmy Kingfisher) and other targets like Hairy-breasted Barbet, Magpie Mannikin and Western Nicator. Right at the end of the day some of us managed brief views of White-spotted Flufftail, while others would have to wait until later in the trip for improved views…
Day 12, 25th July 2022. Kibale forest birding and transfer to Masindi
This morning, before breakfast, we birded the farm areas outside of Kibale Forest where we targeted several missing species. We managed to find Brown-crowned Tchagra, Toro Olive Greenbul, Black Bishop and Black-headed Waxbill. Unfortunately, Joyful Greenbul and Lowland Masked Apalis would not co-operate today! We then birded the main road through Kibale Forest for a while to try to catch up on any missing forest species. We managed to find Blue Malkoha, Blue-throated Roller, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird and had better looks at Blue-throated Brown Sunbird.
While trying to have our lunch we got distracted by several interesting species in the garden, including Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Olive-bellied, Green-headed and Superb Sunbirds (well spotted Margie and Bob!), Tropical Boubou, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Cardinal Woodpecker and Brown-throated Wattle-eye. We then hit the long and bumpy road north to Masindi which took the whole afternoon. We did stop briefly to look for Highland Rush Warbler en route, however we could not even get a response during the heat of the day. After a long afternoon in the bus, we finally made it to Masindi where we immediately had dinner and got to sleep early with the exciting prospect of Budongo Forest and the Royal Mile to look forward to the following morning!
Day 13, 26th July 2022. Budongo Forest birding and transfer to Murchison Falls
Today was to be a long day with lots of exciting birding stops and so we had an early breakfast and got going as quickly as possible. We were making our way from Masindi town to the impressive lowland forest of Budongo Forest where we would be birding along the Royal Mile. Before reaching the forest, we made a very productive birding stop in the farmlands along the way which instantly bagged us a bunch of new birds including the likes of Heuglin’s Spurfowl, Compact Weaver, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Lesser Honeyguide, Short-winged (Siffling) Cisticola, Brown Babbler, African Firefinch and our main target Brown Twinspot.
After this enjoyable stop, we made it into the forest and started slowly walking along the road through the forest and basically moved from bird party to bird party. We spent the rest of the morning here and enjoyed our lunch in the shade of the massive trees which make up this impressive forest. Over the course of the morning, we managed to find White-thighed Hornbill, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Brown-eared and Yellow-crested (Golden-crested) Woodpeckers, Little Grey and White-throated Greenbuls, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Fraser’s Rufous Thrush, Fraser’s Forest Flycatcher and Green Twinspot. Kingfishers were omnipresent in the forest and we had multiple looks at African Pygmy Kingfishers, good looks at a single Blue-breasted Kingfisher, brief views of African Dwarf Kingfisher, but could not get onto the many vocal Chocolate-backed Kingfishers. Small groups of the unusual Spotted Greenbul kept us entertained as they flew about and occasionally lifted one of their wings, a curious and distinctive behaviour of this species. We also spent some time luring out a White-spotted Flufftail which everyone managed to get brief looks at – comparatively good looks for a flufftail!
After Budongo Forest we birded the Butiaba Escarpment which overlooks Lake Albert, where we again had some incredibly productive birding despite the high temperatures. We walked along a road which cut through some lovely dry woodlands which produced African Grey Hornbill, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Black-billed Barbet, Flappet Lark, Whistling and Foxy Cisticolas, Green-backed Eremomela, Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Beautiful Sunbird, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Little and Red-headed Weavers, Black-rumped and Black-faced Waxbills and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. The walk also produced some fantastic views of a pair of African Hawk-Eagles as they soared low above our heads.
We still had a couple of hours drive ahead of us to reach Murchison Falls National Park, which was made slower by the many raptors which adorned the electricity pylons en route. We had some great stops for African Harrier-Hawk, White-backed Vulture, Brown and Western Banded Snake Eagles, Gabar and Dark Chanting Goshawks, Red-necked Falcon as well as a few groups of White-throated Bee-eaters. After a long but incredibly productive day of birding, we arrived at our beautiful lodge in Murchison Falls National Park and settled in for the evening.
Day 14, 27th July 2022. Birding Murchison Falls National Park
Today we had the entire day to explore the open savannas of Murchison Falls National Park and after an early breakfast we jumped into the bus and crossed the impressive Nile River (adding an Osprey) where almost immediately we started seeing impressive numbers of animals and birds. We encountered large herds of African Buffalo, Waterbuck, Kob and (Lelwel) Hartebeest as well as impressive numbers of Oribi antelope and also saw large troops of Olive Baboon and a couple of the strange Tantalus Monkey. African Elephants were seen along the northern edge of Lake Albert and smaller herds of (Rothschild’s) Giraffe were seen throughout the woodlands.
On the birding front, we had some great birds which kept us ticking over throughout the morning and early afternoon. Some of the highlights included Black-bellied Bustard, Black-billed Wood Dove, Senegal Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Rüppell’s, White-backed and Lappet-faced Vultures, Bateleur, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Grey Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Black-crowned Tchagra, Rattling Cisticola, Spotted Mourning Thrush, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Silverbird, Shelley’s Sparrow, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver and Speckle-fronted and Vitelline Masked Weavers. After lunch, on our way back to our lodge, we stopped at a small waterhole where Frances did well to spot a single Greater Painted-snipe.
After a long day in the bus, we decided to take the afternoon off with Sri, Derek and Jim joining Dom for some relaxed, yet productive, birding around the lodge grounds where we encountered Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Western Black-headed Batis, White-shouldered Black Tit, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Northern Yellow White-eye, Red-throated Bee-eater, Little Green Sunbird and Little and Red-headed Weavers.
After dinner, we headed out for a night drive which was a little on the quiet side but did produce the strange Bunyoro Rabbit and a Common Genet.
Day 15, 28th July 2022. Nile River cruise and birding Murchison Falls
Our Nile River boat cruise was scheduled for mid-morning so we decided to first bird around the lodge grounds and this was again highly enjoyable. This time round we managed to find the desired White-crested Turaco, while some of the group managed to catch up on a few birds missed the the previous afternoon.
After breakfast we jumped in the bus and drove to the Nile River, en route we managed new birds in the form of Singing Cisticola and Red-winged Prinia (Warbler), which were nice to finally catch-up on. Our Nile cruise was a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing few hours along the mighty river which culminated in spectacular views of the majestic and powerful Murchison Falls. As usual, the birding was great and we saw Saddle-billed Stork, African Darter, Intermediate Egret, White-backed Night Heron, African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, Red-throated Bee-eater, another White-crested Turaco and had good views of a lovely Giant Kingfisher. On our way back to the lodge for lunch we had our only Black-winged Red Bishop of the trip.
After some down time in the early afternoon, we headed out to Murchison Falls, where we sat in the bus waiting out an impressive downpour. We then walked around the falls enjoying the views from many different angles and vantage points. Certainly, a memorable way to start bringing the trip to a conclusion! Birding was a little slow here but we did see more Rock Pratincoles and had brief views of a Bat Hawk just as it got dark: - eagle-eyed Sri yet again spotting one of our target birds! On our drive back to the lodge we encountered a male Pennant-winged Nightjar and had brief views of a Greyish Eagle-Owl as it flushed from the road.
Day 16, 29th July 2022. Murchison Falls to Entebbe, with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route
Today was mostly a travel day, as we had a lot of ground to cover between Murchison Falls and Entebbe, however we did a have a few birding stops planned to break up the drive. After breakfast, we packed up and started making our way south. Our first stop was at the Kanyiyo Pabibi Forest section of Murchison Falls National Park. The birding was slow here and we did not manage to find Puvel’s Illadopsis, however it would be an interesting stop because of the reptiles we encountered here. First up was a dead-on-the-road Gaboon Viper which is always sad to see but encouraging to know that they are around and then an Olive-green Viper which was also seen on the road (unfortunately just clipped by a vehicle). As we were observing the viper, a vehicle with Ugandan Wildlife Authority rangers drove past and suddenly turned round and asked if we’d like to see a treat. It turned out that they had just rescued a massive African Rock Python from a nearby village and were about to set it free. They offloaded a huge crate and opened it up to reveal twelve feet (four meters) of python which slowly made its way into the forest. Certainly, an interesting start to the day!
We carried on heading south to our next stop which was Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here we went on a guided walk and observed five White Rhinoceroses and learnt about the inspiring work the sanctuary is doing to breed the rhinos and repopulate many areas of the country which have been devastated by poaching. While at Ziwa we also encountered a few new birds such as Greater Honeyguide, Bronze-tailed Starling and Cardinal Quelea.
Our final birding stop of the trip was in some marshlands on the side of the road which produced the hoped-for Marsh Widowbird as well as our first Golden-backed Weaver of the trip. Making our way through Kampala in afternoon traffic was interesting, we then checked into our accommodation for the evening. Most of the group were flying out later that evening and so we enjoyed our final group dinner, reminisced about some of the more enjoyable and memorable experiences and eventually said our goodbyes.
Day 17, 30th July 2022. Entebbe birding and departure
All the guests – except Margie and Bob – had flown out the previous evening and so the three of us decided to spend the afternoon birding around the Entebbe Botanical Garden.. We had a lovely afternoon as we casually wandered the grounds of these beautiful gardens right on the edge of Lake Victoria. We managed to see Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos, Woodland Kingfisher, Double-toothed Barbet, Grey Parrot, Little Greenbul, Winding Cisticola, Red-chested Sunbird and Golden-backed Weaver. We scoured the many flocks of weavers for Orange and Weyns’s Weavers but unfortunately could not find any. We also spend a long while watching Guerezas (Black-and-white Colobus) as they quietly fed and groomed in a nearby tree, complete with a newly born baby which was incredibly cute. After a relaxed final day, we bade our final farewells after what had been a very enjoyable 17 days in the Pearl of Africa! A big thank you to Harriet for ensuring all the logistics ran smoothly, Alex for his expert and safe driving, Eric and Frances for their diligent eBird listing and to all the participants for making it such an easy and enjoyable trip!
Bird List - Following IOC (12.1)
Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen.
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International. CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable
Common Name Scientific Name
Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
African Black Duck Anas sparsa
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
Guineafowl (Numididae)
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae)
Crested Francolin Ortygornis sephaena
Heuglin's Spurfowl Pternistis icterorhynchus
Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Black-shouldered Nightjar Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus
Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis
Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma
Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii
Pennant-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus vexillarius
Swifts (Apodidae)
Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus
African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Little Swift Apus affinis
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
Turacos (Musophagidae)
Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata
Bare-faced Go-away-bird Crinifer personatus
Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus
Ross's Turaco Tauraco rossae
White-crested Turaco Tauraco leucolophus
Black-billed Turaco Tauraco schuettii
Bustards (Otididae)
Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus
White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus
Blue Malkoha Ceuthmochares aereus
Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii
Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus
Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius
Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi
Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)
Rock Dove Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon (H) Columba iriditorques
Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea
Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Black-billed Wood Dove Turtur abyssinicus
Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
African Green Pigeon Treron calvus
Finfoots (Heliornithidae)
African Finfoot Podica senegalensis
Flufftails (Sarothruridae)
White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra
Red-chested Flufftail (H) Sarothrura rufa
Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae)
African Rail (H) Rallus caerulescens
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis
Black Crake Zapornia flavirostra
Cranes (Gruidae)
Grey Crowned Crane - EN Balearica regulorum
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Buttonquail (Turnicidae)
Common Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus
Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae)
Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus
Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae)
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Plovers (Charadriidae)
Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris
Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus
Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus
Senegal Lapwing Vanellus lugubris
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
Brown-chested Lapwing Vanellus superciliosus
Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
Painted-snipes (Rostratulidae)
Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Jacanas (Jacanidae)
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae)
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis
Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)
African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris
Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Storks (Ciconiidae)
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer
Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)
African Darter Anhinga rufa
Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)
Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus
White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus
Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)
African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae)
White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Hamerkop (Scopidae)
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Shoebill (Balaenicipitidae)
Shoebill – VU Balaeniceps rex
Pelicans (Pelecanidae)
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
Ospreys (Pandionidae)
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae)
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis
Hooded Vulture - CR Necrosyrtes monachus
White-backed Vulture - CR Gyps africanus
Rüppell's Vulture - CR Gyps rueppelli
Lappet-faced Vulture - EN Torgos tracheliotos
Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus
Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens
Bateleur – EN Terathopius ecaudatus
Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus
Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
Martial Eagle – EN Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Ayres's Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii
Tawny Eagle – VU Aquila rapax
African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster
Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar
Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro
Shikra Accipiter badius
African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius
African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus
Augur Buzzard Buteo augur
Owls (Strigidae)
Greyish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens
African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii
Mousebirds (Coliidae)
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus
Trogons (Trogonidae)
Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina
Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum
Hoopoes (Upupidae)
African Hoopoe Upupa africana
Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae)
White-headed Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus bollei
Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Ground Hornbills (Bucorvidae)
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill - VU Bucorvus abyssinicus
Hornbills (Bucerotidae)
Crowned Hornbill Lophoceros alboterminatus
African Grey Hornbill Lophoceros nasutus
White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes albotibialis
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Bycanistes subcylindricus
Rollers (Coraciidae)
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus
Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher (H) Halcyon badia
Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti
Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica
Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis
African Dwarf Kingfisher Ispidina lecontei
African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta
Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus
Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys
Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters (Meropidae)
Black Bee-eater Merops gularis
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates
Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki
White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis
Olive Bee-eater Merops superciliosus
Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus
African Barbets (Lybiidae)
Grey-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei
Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus
Western Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaea
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui
Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta
Spot-flanked Barbet Tricholaema lacrymosa
White-headed Barbet Lybius leucocephalus
Red-faced Barbet Lybius rubrifacies
Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito
Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus
Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus
Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus
Honeyguides (Indicatoridae)
Cassin's Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis
Least Honeyguide (H) Indicator exilis
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator
Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Pardipicus nivosus
Brown-eared Woodpecker Pardipicus caroli
Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica
Fine-banded Woodpecker Campethera taeniolaema
Yellow-crested Woodpecker Chloropicus xantholophus
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
Elliot's Woodpecker Dendropicos elliotii
African Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae
Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus
Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae)
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus
Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera
African Hobby Falco cuvierii
African & New World Parrots (Psittacidae)
Grey Parrot – EN Psittacus erithacus
Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri
Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae)
Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius
Typical Broadbills (Eurylaimidae)
Grauer's Broadbill - VU Pseudocalyptomena graueri
African & Green Broadbills (Calyptomenidae)
African Broadbill Smithornis capensis
Pittas (Pittidae)
Green-breasted Pitta Pitta reichenowi
Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae)
Rwenzori Batis Batis diops
Chinspot Batis Batis molitor
Western Black-headed Batis Batis erlangeri
Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea
Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae)
Lagden's Bushshrike Malaconotus lagdeni
Many-colored Bushshrike (H) Chlorophoneus multicolor
Bocage's Bushshrike Chlorophoneus bocagei
Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus
Doherty's Bushshrike (H) Telophorus dohertyi
Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus
Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis
Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis
Albertine Sooty Boubou Laniarius holomelas
Willard's Sooty Boubou Laniarius willardi
Lühder's Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi
Tropical Boubou Laniarius major
Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri
Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster
Vangas & Allies (Vangidae)
African Shrike-flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus
Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher Bias musicus
Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae)
Grey Cuckooshrike Ceblepyris caesius
Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava
Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike Campephaga phoenicea
Petit's Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti
Shrikes (Laniidae)
Mackinnon's Shrike Lanius mackinnoni
Grey-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
Northern Fiscal Lanius humeralis
Figbirds, Orioles, Turnagra (Oriolidae)
Western Oriole Oriolus brachyrynchus
Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
Mountain Oriole Oriolus percivali
Drongos (Dicruridae)
Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
Monarchs (Monarchidae)
Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer
African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Crows, Jays (Corvidae)
Piapiac Ptilostomus afer
Pied Crow Corvus albus
White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae)
African Blue Flycatcher Elminia longicauda
White-tailed Blue Flycatcher Elminia albicauda
White-bellied Crested Flycatcher (H) Elminia albiventris
Tits, Chickadees (Paridae)
White-shouldered Black Tit Melaniparus guineensis
Dusky Tit Melaniparus funereus
Stripe-breasted Tit Melaniparus fasciiventer
Penduline Tits (Remizidae)
Grey Penduline Tit Anthoscopus caroli
Nicators (Nicatoridae)
Western Nicator Nicator chloris
Larks (Alaudidae)
Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana
Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)
Slender-billed Greenbul Stelgidillas gracilirostris
Yellow-throated Leaflove Atimastillas flavicollis
Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus
Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator
Olive-breasted Greenbul Arizelocichla kikuyuensis
Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus
Little Greenbul Eurillas virens
Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Eurillas latirostris
Plain Greenbul Eurillas curvirostris
Little Grey Greenbul Eurillas gracilis
Ansorge's Greenbul Eurillas ansorgei
White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis
Yellow-streaked Greenbul Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Toro Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus hypochloris
Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor
Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae)
Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
White-headed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne albiceps
Banded Martin Neophedina cincta
Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola
Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Angolan Swallow Hirundo angolensis
Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa
Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae)
Moustached Grass Warbler Melocichla mentalis
Grey Longbill (H) Macrosphenus concolor
Northern Crombec (H) Sylvietta brachyura
Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii
Green Crombec Sylvietta virens
White-browed Crombec Sylvietta leucophrys
Cettia Bush Warblers & Allies (Cettiidae)
Neumann's Warbler Urosphena neumanni
Yellow Flycatchers (Erythrocercidae)
Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii
Hylias (Hyliidae)
Green Hylia Hylia prasina
Leaf Warblers & Allies (Phylloscopidae)
Red-faced Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus laetus
Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae)
Grauer's Warbler Graueria vittata
Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens
African Yellow Warbler Iduna natalensis
Mountain Yellow Warbler Iduna similis
Grassbirds & Allies (Locustellidae)
White-winged Swamp Warbler (H) Bradypterus carpalis
Grauer's Swamp Warbler - EN Bradypterus graueri
Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae)
Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops
Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans
Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis
Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami
Chubb's Cisticola Cisticola chubbi
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Winding Cisticola Cisticola marginatus
Carruthers's Cisticola Cisticola carruthersi
Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus
Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus
Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes
Long-tailed Cisticola Cisticola angusticauda
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Black-faced Prinia Prinia melanops
Red-winged Prinia Prinia erythroptera
White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon
Rwenzori Apalis Oreolais ruwenzorii
Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana
Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Mountain Masked Apalis Apalis personata
Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni
Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema
Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis
Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea
Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata
Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota
Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus rufus
Green-backed Eremomela Eremomela canescens
Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps
Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae)
Rwenzori Hill Babbler Sylvia atriceps
White-eyes (Zosteropidae)
Green White-eye Zosterops stuhlmanni
Northern Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
Ground Babblers (Pellorneidae)
Mountain Illadopsis Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Illadopsis albipectus
Laughingthrushes & Allies (Leiothrichidae)
Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Black-lored Babbler Turdoides sharpei
Starlings, Rhabdornis (Sturnidae)
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
Purple-headed Starling Hylopsar purpureiceps
Lesser Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus
Bronze-tailed Starling Lamprotornis chalcurus
Splendid Starling Lamprotornis splendidus
Rüppell's Starling Lamprotornis purpuroptera
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris
Waller's Starling Onychognathus walleri
Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris
Sharpe's Starling Poeoptera sharpii
Oxpeckers (Buphagidae)
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
Thrushes (Turdidae)
Fraser's Rufous Thrush Stizorhina fraseri
White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis
Red-tailed Ant Thrush (H) Neocossyphus rufus
African Thrush Turdus pelios
Abyssinian Thrush Turdus abyssinicus
Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)
Fire-crested Alethe Alethe castanea
Brown-backed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas hartlaubi
White-browed Scrub Robin (H) Cercotrichas leucophrys
Fraser's Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata
Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus griseigularis
Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri
Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher Melaenornis ardesiacus
Northern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina
Silverbird Empidornis semipartitus
Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens
Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica
Cassin's Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini
Chapin's Flycatcher – VU (H) Muscicapa lendu
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata
Sooty Flycatcher Muscicapa infuscata
Red-throated Alethe Chamaetylas poliophrys
Archer's Ground Robin Cossypha archeri
Grey-winged Robin-Chat Cossypha polioptera
Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat (H) Cossypha cyanocampter
White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla
White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata
Forest Robin (H) Stiphrornis erythrothorax
Equatorial Akalat (H) Sheppardia aequatorialis
Spotted Palm Thrush Cichladusa guttata
African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus
Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra
Ruaha Chat Myrmecocichla collaris
Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
Grey-headed Sunbird Deleornis axillaris
Little Green Sunbird Anthreptes seimundi
Grey-chinned Sunbird Anthreptes tephrolaemus
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema
Blue-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra alinae
Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea
Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
Purple-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia purpureiventris
Bronzy Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis
Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygius
Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris reichenowi
Regal Sunbird Cinnyris regius
Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus
Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
Red-chested Sunbird Cinnyris erythrocercus
Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus
Superb Sunbird Cinnyris superbus
Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus
Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae)
Shelley's Sparrow Passer shelleyi
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae)
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus
Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis
Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht
Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni
Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus
Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis
Strange Weaver Ploceus alienus
Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster
Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops
Northern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus castanops
Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus vitellinus
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus
Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus
Golden-backed Weaver Ploceus jacksoni
Compact Weaver Ploceus superciliosus
Brown-capped Weaver Ploceus insignis
Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
Cardinal Quelea Quelea cardinalis
Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Black Bishop Euplectes gierowii
Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macroura
Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi
Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens
Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae)
Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata
Magpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides
Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor
Yellow-bellied Waxbill Coccopygia quartinia
Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
Jameson's Antpecker (H) Parmoptila jamesoni
White-breasted Nigrita Nigrita fusconotus
Grey-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus
Black-cheeked Waxbill Brunhilda charmosyna
Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula
Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes
Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae)
Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae)
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae)
Western Citril Crithagra frontalis
Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica
Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata
Thick-billed Seedeater Crithagra burtoni
Streaky Seedeater Crithagra striolata
Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex
Buntings (Emberizidae)
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
Cabanis's Bunting (H) Emberiza cabanisi
Species Seen 471
Species heard only 19
Total species recorded 490
Mammal List
Mammals ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen.
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List:
CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened.
Common Name Scientific Name
Hyraxes (Procaviidae)
Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis
Elephants (Elephantidae)
African Elephant – VU Loxodonta africana
Rabbits and Hares (Leporidae)
African Savanna Hare Lepus victoriae
Bunyoro Rabbit Poelagus marjorita
Squirrels and Relatives (Sciuridae)
Striped Ground Squirrel Euxerus erythropus
Ruwenzori Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus ruwenzorii
Alexander’s Bush Squirrel Paraxerus alexandri
Boehm's Bush Squirrel Paraxerus boehmi
Bushbabies (Galagidae)
Thick-tailed Greater Galago Otolemur crassicaudatus
Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae)
Grey-cheeked Mangabey – VU Lophocebus albigena
Olive Baboon Papio anubis
Patas Monkey Erythrocebus patas
Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Tantalus Monkey Chlorocebus tantalus
L'Hoest's Monkey – VU Allochrocebus lhoesti
Red-tailed Monkey Cercopithecus ascanius
Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis
Guereza Colobus guereza
Ashy Red Colobus – EN Piliocolobus tephrosceles
Great Apes (Hominidae)
Eastern Gorilla – CR Gorilla beringei
Chimpanzee – EN Pan troglodytes
Bats (Chiroptera)
Yellow-winged Bat Lavia frons
Civets, Genets, Linsangs and allies (Viverridae)
Common (Small-spotted) Genet Genetta denetta
Hyaenas and Aardwolf (Hyaenidae)
Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta
Mongooses and Fossa (Herpestidae)
Common Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula
Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo
Canids (Canidae)
Side-striped Jackal Lupulella adustus
Horses, Asses and Zebras (Equidae)
Plains Zebra Equus quagga
Rhinoceroses (Rhinocerotidae)
White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum
Hogs and Pigs (Suidae)
Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
Forest Hog Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae)
Hippopotamus – VU Hippopotamus amphibius
Bovids (Bovidae)
African Buffalo Syncerus caffer
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Impala Aepyceros melampus
Oribi Ourebia ourebi
(Defassa) Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Kob Kobus kob
(Lelwel) Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus lelwel
Topi Damaliscus lunatus
Black-fronted Duiker Cephalophus nigrifrons
Giraffes and Okapis (Giraffidae)
Giraffe – VU Giraffa camelopardalis
Species seen: 41
Species heard: 1
Total species: 40