Ross's Turaco in the Rwenzori Mountains
Birdwatching in the Rwenzori

Discover the Birds of the Rwenzori Mountains

"The Rwenzori Mountains are home to over 120 bird species, ranging from colorful sunbirds and turacos to rare Albertine Rift endemics. Whether you are an avid birder or simply enjoy wildlife, every trek offers unique birdwatching opportunities."
129+
Species Recorded
Endemic
Albertine Rift Species
Kilembe
Trail, Where We Guide
Rwenzori Batis, an Albertine Rift endemic bird
Birdwatching in the Rwenzori Mountains

Forest floor to alpine zone, every step is a new species

The forests, bamboo zones, and alpine valleys of the Rwenzori Mountains support an incredible diversity of birdlife. Along the Kilembe Trail, our guides have recorded over 129 bird species, making the region one of Uganda's most rewarding birding destinations.

129+ bird species recorded
Excellent birding from foothills to alpine zones
Endemic Albertine Rift species
Opportunities for photography and specialist birding tours
Experienced local guides
Notable Species

Birds worth planning your trek around

A short list of the species our guides get asked about most on the Kilembe Trail.

Endemic Scarlet-Tufted Sunbird

Scarlet-Tufted Sunbird

Nectarinia johnstoni

A beautiful endemic species found in the montane forests of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Endemic Rwenzori Batis

Rwenzori Batis

Batis diops

One of the region's special Albertine Rift birds. Its striking black-and-white plumage and bright yellow eyes make it a sought-after species for birdwatchers visiting the region.

Colourful White-crested Turaco

White-Crested Turaco

Tauraco leucolophus

A spectacular canopy-dwelling bird recognized by its elegant white crest and flashes of crimson wings in flight. Known for its distinctive white crest and loud calls.

Signature Ross's Turaco

Ross's Turaco

Musophaga rossae

One of Africa's most colourful birds, easily recognized by its striking crimson wings and violet-blue plumage — a highlight for birdwatchers exploring the Rwenzori region.

Endemic Regal Sunbird

Regal Sunbird

Cinnyris regius

A dazzling Albertine Rift endemic renowned for its iridescent colours and brilliant red breast patch — a jewel-like signature species of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Rare Mountain Oriole

Mountain Oriole

Oriolus percivali

A stunning highland forest bird with brilliant yellow plumage and a contrasting black head. Its flutelike calls echo through the canopy — one of the characteristic sounds of the forest.

The Full Checklist

Birds recorded on the Kilembe Trail

We have identified more than 129 bird species along the Kilembe Trail, and the list continues to grow as we explore new areas of the mountain. Browse the checklist by family below.

No species match your search.

  • Bronze Sunbird
  • Green-headed Sunbird
  • Grey-headed Sunbird
  • Copper Sunbird
  • Blue-throated Sunbird
  • Olive-bellied Sunbird
  • Collared Sunbird
  • Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird
  • Regal Sunbird
  • Variable Sunbird
  • Blue-headed Sunbird
  • Tiny Sunbird
  • Purple-banded Sunbird
  • Scarlet-chested Sunbird
  • Black-headed Weaver
  • Black-necked Weaver
  • Baglafecht Weaver
  • Strange Weaver
  • Lesser Masked Weaver
  • Spectacled Weaver
  • Yellow-backed Weaver
  • Yellow-beaked Weaver
  • Bronze Mannikin
  • Black-and-white Mannikin
  • Black-crowned Waxbill
  • Yellow-bellied Waxbill
  • Common Waxbill
  • White-collared Oliveback
  • Grey-headed Negrofinch
  • Red-headed Bluebill
  • Red-billed Firefinch
  • Dusky Crimsonwing
  • African Citril
  • Yellow-fronted Canary
  • African Golden-breasted Bunting
  • Speckled Mousebird
  • Red-eyed Dove
  • Blue-spotted Wood Dove
  • Tambourine Dove
  • Dusky Turtle Dove
  • Olive Pigeon
  • Black-billed Turaco
  • White-crested Turaco
  • Ross's Turaco
  • Lizard Buzzard
  • African Harrier-Hawk
  • Long-crested Eagle
  • Common Kestrel
  • Black Kite
  • Pied Crow
  • White-naped Raven
  • Black-headed Heron
  • Little Egret
  • Cattle Egret
  • Hadada Ibis
  • Hamerkop
  • African Pied Wagtail
  • Cape Wagtail
  • Yellow-throated Longclaw
  • Rock Martin
  • Black Saw-wing
  • Mosque Swallow
  • Angola Swallow
  • Red-rumped Swallow
  • Lesser Striped Swallow
  • White-rumped Swift
  • Little Swift
  • Cardinal Woodpecker
  • Grey-throated Barbet
  • Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
  • Yellow-throated Tinkerbird
  • Speckled Tinkerbird
  • Scaly-throated Honeyguide
  • Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
  • African Pygmy Kingfisher
  • Woodland Kingfisher
  • Madagascar Bee-eater
  • Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
  • White-thighed Hornbill
  • African Dusky Flycatcher
  • African Blue Flycatcher
  • Cassin's Grey Flycatcher
  • Spotted Flycatcher
  • African Paradise Flycatcher
  • Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher
  • Common Fiscal
  • Grey-backed Fiscal
  • Mackinnon's Fiscal
  • Black-crowned Tchagra
  • Lühder's Bushshrike
  • Northern Puffback
  • Grey-headed Batis
  • Rwenzori Batis
  • Diederik Cuckoo
  • African Emerald Cuckoo
  • Levaillant's Cuckoo
  • Klaas's Cuckoo
  • Grey Cuckooshrike
  • Common Bulbul
  • Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
  • African Hill Babbler
  • Little Greenbul
  • Toro Olive Greenbul
  • Mountain Greenbul
  • Yellow-throated Greenbul
  • Brown-throated Wattle-eye
  • Grey-backed Camaroptera
  • White-browed Crombec
  • Collared Apalis
  • Mountain Masked Apalis
  • Buff-throated Apalis
  • White-chinned Prinia
  • Tawny-flanked Prinia
  • Red-faced Cisticola
  • Grey-capped Warbler
  • Black-faced Rufous Warbler
  • Dark-capped Yellow Warbler
  • Narrow-tailed Starling
  • Slender-billed Starling
  • Chapin's Starling
  • Stuhlmann's Starling
  • Mountain Oriole
  • African Thrush
  • White-browed Robin-Chat
  • Snowy-headed Robin-Chat
Birding Tours

Interested in birdwatching during your trek?

Our guides can help identify bird species throughout the journey, and we can also arrange dedicated birding excursions in the Rwenzori foothills and surrounding forests.

Rwenzori Trekking Services — Official Concession Holder, Kilembe (Southern Circuit) Species list compiled from RTS guide field records, Kilembe Trail