Birds of the Rwenzori Mountains

Rwenzori Trekking Services are very keen in conservation of wildlife and the environment We hope to undertake research to gather information, photograph, and identify areas of species with sound bites of various animals, birds and frogs then set up a comprehensive webpage in an effort to bring attention to the environment and unique species found in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda. Uganda Wildlife Authority is making every effort to control poaching but are marred by the lack of manpower and finances however they are making positive gains in not only patrolling the newly opened area of the Kilembe Trails but in holding meeting throughout the communities surrounding the National Park and sensitizing the people on the value of conserving the National Park.

One of the ways of conserving birds is we are starting birding clubs in Primary Schools around the National Park and would appreciate a little help to provide binoculars and birding books to these clubs as when we bring a better understanding to children of the local area they may stop killing birds as they learn to appreciate them.

BIRDING TREKS IN THE MOUNTAIN

Birding in the Rwenzori Mountains is excellent and we can take you up to any height or area.

The three day trek is an excellent circuit but taken at a slower pace over 4 days takes you up to the Heather Zone where you will see Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori nightjar, Rwenzori Double Collared Sunbird, Archer's Robinchat, Mountain Black Boubou, Mountain Illadopsis, Rwenzori Batis, Mountain Masked Aplis, etc

To see the Scarlet Tufted Malachite Sunbird you will need to climb up to Mutinda Peaks which is a five or six day trek depending whether you pass across to Kiharo Camp where there ate many Rwenzori Batis and other birds as the environment is slightly different. On the Kiharo Camp side you have the chance to see the Handsome Francolin.

We at Rwenzori Trekking Services have our own professional birders, however should someone wish to employ a birder from outside our company or other birder guides wish to bring their clients it to the Rwenzoris it is fine as our pricing for trekking are seperate from the birder guide.

ONE DAY BIRDING TREK one or 2 persons $50 each, 3 or 4 people $40 each plus $80 for Narcisse or other professional birder per day whether one client or four clients plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash at the gate.

TWO DAY BIRDING TREK one or 2 persons $200 each, 3 or 4 people $180 each plus $80 for Narcisse or other professional birder per day whether one client or four clients plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash at the gate.

THREE DAY BIRDING TREK one or 2 persons $350 each, 3 or 4 people $320 each plus $80 for Narcisse or other professional birder per day whether one client or four clients plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash at the gate.

FOUR DAY BIRDING TREK one or 2 persons $610 each, 3 or 4 people $580 each plus $80 for Narcisse or other professional birder per day whether one client or four clients plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash at the gate.

FIVE DAY BIRDING TREK one or 2 persons $740 each, 3 or 4 people $690 each plus $80 for Narcisse or other professional birder per day whether one client or four clients plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash at the gate.

SIX DAY BIRDING TREK one or 2 persons $850 each, 3 or 4 people $800 each plus $80 for Narcisse or other professional birder per day whether one client or four clients plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash at the gate.

Fees include accommodation, all meals, and porters

Below is a list of birds known to occur along the Kilembe Route, Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

CLICK ON BIRD FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird- Nectarinia johnstoni dartmouthi

Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird- Cinnyris stuhlmanni

Ruwenzori Brown Woodland Warbler- Seicercus umbrovirens alpinus

Regal Sunbird - Cinnyris regia

Stripe Breasted Tit Parus fascilventer

Johnston’s Ruwenzori Turaco- Ruwenzorornis johnstoni johnstoni

Ruwenzori Nightjar- Caprimuglus ruwenzorii

Ruwenzori Puffback Flycatcher- Batis diops rwenzorii

Black duck- Anas sparsa leucostigma

Verreaux’s eagle- Aquila verreauxi

Lanner Falcon- Falco biarricus abyssinicus

Rufous sparrow hawk- Accipter rufoventirs

African Lammergeyer- Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis

Mountain Buzzard- Buteo oreophilus

Ruwenzori handsome francolin- Francolinus nobilis chapini

Olive pigeon- Columba arquatrix

Western lemon dove- Aplopelia simplex jacksoni

Black-billed Turaco- Tauraco schuetti emini

Alpine swift- Apus Melba maximus

Olive woodpecker- Mesopicos griseocephalus ruwenzori

Ruwenzori Hill Babbler- Pseudoalcippe abyssinicus atriceps

Mountain Illadopis- Malacocincla pyrrhopterus

Olive-breasted Mountain Greenbul- Arizelocichla tephrolaema kikuensis

Toro Olive Greenbul- Phyllastrephus hypochloris

Dusky Flycatcher- Alseonax adustus pumilus

Mountain Yellow flycatcher- Chloropeta similes

White-tailed Crested Flycatcher- Trochocercus albonotatus

Ruwenzori Olive Thrush- Turdus olivaceus baraka

Abyssinian Ground Thrush- Geokicha piaggiae

Mountain Chat- Pinarocha sordida

Archer’s Robin Chat- Cossypha archeri

Red-throated Alethe- Alethe poliophrys

Ruwenzori White-starred Bush Robin- Pogonocichla stellata ruwenzori

Red-faced woodland warbler- Seicercus laetus

Bamboo warbler- Bradypterus alfredi albicrissalis

Cinammon Scrub Warbler- Sathrocercus cinammoneus

Collared Apalis- Apalis ruwenzorii ruwenzorii

East African Grey Cuckoo Shrike- Coracina caesia pura

Black rough-wing swallow- Psalidoprocne holomelaena ruwenzorii

Mountain Sooty Boubou- Laniarius poensis holomelas

Lagden’s Bush Shrike- Malaconatus lagdeni

Stripe-breasted Tit- Parus fusciiventer

White Necked Raven- Corcultur albicollis

Slender-billed Chestnut-winged Starling- Onychognathus tenuirostris

Green White-eye- Zosterops virens stuhlmanni

Regal Sunbird- Cinnyris regius regius

Strange Weaver- Hyphanturgus alienus

Shelley’s Crimson Wing- Cryptospiza shelleyi

Ruwenzori streaky Seed-eater- Serinus striolatus graueri

Kivu Grosbeask Seed-eater- Poliospiza burton tanganyikae