The Unique Birds of the Albertine Rift, Uganda
The Unique Birds of the Albertine Rift in Uganda: Albertine Rift endemic bird species are unique birds found in the montane forested areas of the western arm of the East African Rift valley escarpment, between Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania, Lake Albert in Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This zone, known as the Albertine Rift, defines the western arm of the East African Rift Valley and spans Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). All these destinations offer exceptional bird species that are restricted to the Albertine Rift and not seen anywhere else.
The Albertine Rift is a diverse habitat with rare and endangered species like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and bird species. Other primates include Angolan monkey, L’hoest monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, Rwenzori Colobus, mangabeys, olive baboons, and other species. The area is also a bird sanctuary, with 37 endemic species, 9 of which are in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 20 in Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.
However, only 2 endemics extend southwards to southern Tanzania. On the other hand, Uganda hosts over 24 Albertine Rift endemics, primarily in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Other sites include Mgahinga National Park, Rwenzori Mountains, Echuya Forest Reserve, and Kibale Forest National Park in south-western Uganda.
Sites to see Albertine Rift Endemic bird species in Uganda
The Rwenzori Turaco (Tauraco johnstoni), seen in Mgahinga, Rwenzoris and Echuya, Archer’s Robin-chat Cossypha archeri, Seen in Mgahinga, Echuya, Bwindi and the Rwenzoris, Neumann’s warbler Hemitesia neumanni, always heard and seen on around the Bwindi Buhoma Forest rivers, Red-throated Alethe Alethe poliophrys, seen in Bwindi, Echuya and the Rwenzoris, Kivu ground thrush Zoothera tanganjicae, seen in Mgahinga, Echuya, Bwindi and the Rwenzoris.
The dingy dark olive Grauer’s Warbler Graueria vittata, commonly seen in Bwindi mostly Ruhija, the Handsome Francolin (Francolinus nobilis) easily seen in Bwindi the Ruhija section mostly on the road between Nengo and the main gate, Mgahinga, Echuya and Rwenzori, Dwarf Honeyguide Indicator pumilio seen in Bwindi Ruhija and the neck area, Chapin’s Flycatcher Muscicapa lendu seen in Bwindi Buhoma and the neck area.
The rare Shelley’s Crimsonwing Cryptospiza shelleyi, seen in Mgahinga and Rwenzori, Dusky Crimsonwing Cryptospiza jacksoni, seen in Bwindi, Echuya, Mgahinga and Rwenzori, Stripe-breasted Tit Parus fasciiventer, seen in Mgahinga, Bwindi the Ruhija area, Rwenzori Nightjar Caprimulgus Rwenzori seen in Bwindi Ruhija and the Rwenzori Mountains, the Grauer’s broadbill Pseudocalyptomena graueri, best seen in Bwindi Ruhija section and the neck, Mountain masked (Black Faced) Apalis Apalis personata, Bwindi, Mgahinga and Rwenzori mountains.
The Rwenzori Apalis Apalis Rwenzori seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Rwenzori, Echuya and with a record in Kibale, Red-faced Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus laetus seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Echuya, the Rwenzoris and some records in Kibale forest, Grauer’s Rush Warbler Bradypterus grouri, seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Echuya and Rwenzori, Rwenzori Batis Batis diops, Purple-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia purpureiventris, seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Rwenzori and Echuya, Rwenzori Blue-headed sunbird Nectarinia alinae, seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga and Rwenzoris, Strange Weaver Ploceus alienus, seen in Bwindi mostly Ruhija section, Echuya, Mgahinga and Rwenzori, among others.
Other destinations for Albertine Rift Endemics
Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is a unique birding destination that offers an exceptional experience for Albertine Rift endemic bird species. The dense forest is home to 29 Albertine Rift endemics, including the Red-collared Mountain Babbler and Kunga Apalis. Towards the northern part, along the shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, where the Itombwe Mountains are located, there is the largest block of montane forest, with over 565 bird species, 31 of which belong to Albertine Rift endemics. Three bird species are restricted to this area, including the Congo Bay Owl, which was recently classified as a relic species. These Albertine Rift endemics share a stronger bond with extinct Asian genera than other African species.
Best time to visit Uganda for bird watching
Birding in the Albertine Rift can be done almost throughout the year, but the best time is during the dry season from June to August, which is when most local birds breed following the heavy rains that lead to an abundant food supply. However, during the rainy season, intermittent rains affect the roads, making birding trails muddy with thick vegetation cover, and this reduces visibility of wildlife.
