Top Destinations for Albertine Rift Birding
Top Destinations for Albertine Rift Birding: The Endemic Albertine Rift endemic birds refer to species of birds that are restricted to the montane forested areas that are associated with the western arm of the East African Rift valley escarpment. This is located between the north of Lake Tanganyika in the Republic of Tanzania and Lake Albert, shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This zone is referred to as the Albertine Rift and clearly defines the western arm of the great East African Rift Valley, then spans countries of Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This area offers diverse habitats and is home to several unique, endangered, and high-altitude rare species such as the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and several bird species, among others. Besides the endangered mountain gorillas, other primates to see include the L’Hoest monkey, blue monkey, Rwenzori Colobus, red-tailed monkey, olive baboons, and other vermin.
The Albertine Rift is a unique haven for bird species, contributing to almost half of Africa’s bird population with 37 Albertine Rift endemics, 9 of which are endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 20 Albert Rift endemics bird species can be spotted in Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. However, there are only 2 Albertine Rift endemics that extend southwards to southern Tanzania.
Uganda is one of Top Destinations for Albertine Rift Birding host over 24 Albertine Rift endemics, commonly in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, mainly in the Ruhija sector. Other sites where these endemic birds do occur include Mgahinga National Park, Rwenzori Mountains, and Echuya Forest Reserve, and a few in Kibale Forest National Park, all in south-western Uganda.
Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda is also one of the Top Destinations for Albertine Rift Birding, located along the eastern escarpment, is another unique birding destination that offers an exceptional birding experience for Albertine Rift endemic bird species. This dense forest is home to distinctive endemic birds that cannot be seen anywhere else, offering unique birding excursions to birdwatchers and nature lovers. Nyungwe Forest National Park hosts about 29 Albertine Rift endemics such as the Red-collared Mountain Babbler and Kunga Apalis, among others.
More still, on the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika, where the Itombwe mountains are located, is the largest block of montane forest and home to over 565 Bird species, 31 of which belong to the Albertine Rift endemics, with 3 bird species restricted to this area and nowhere else. Some of these species include the Congo Bay Owl, which was recently classified as a relic species and is currently present for birdwatching. These Albertine Rift endemics share a stronger bond with the extinct Asian genera than other species inhabiting the African continent.
Albertine Rift Endemic bird species to see in Uganda.
The red-faced woodland Warbler is seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Echuya, Rwenzori, and some records in Kibale Forest. Grauer’s Rush Warbler seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Echuya, and Rwenzori, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher seen in Bwindi; Regal Sunbird, Cinnyris regia, seen in Bwindi, Ruhija, and the neck area, Mgahinga, Echuya, and Rwenzori. The purple-breasted sunbird seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Rwenzori, the Handsome Francolin is easily seen in Bwindi, mostly in the Ruhija section, on the road between Nengo and the main gate, as well as in Mgahinga, Echuya, and Rwenzori, among others.
Chapin’s Flycatcher is seen in Bwindi Buhoma and the neck area; the Rwenzori nightjar, seen in Bwindi Ruhija and the Rwenzori Mountains; Grauer’s broadbill is best seen in the Bwindi Ruhija section and the neck; Mountain Masked, Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Rwenzori mountains; the Rwenzori Apalis is seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Rwenzori, and Echuya and has a record in Kibale.
The Rwenzori blue-headed sunbird, seen in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and the Rwenzori, the Strange Weaver seen mostly in the Ruhija section of Bwindi, Echuya, Mgahinga, and Rwenzori, Shelley’s Crimsonwing seen in Mgahinga and Rwenzori, Dusky Crimsonwing, seen in Bwindi, Echuya, Mgahinga, and Rwenzori, and the Stripe-breasted Tit is seen in Mgahinga, Bwindi, and the Ruhija area, to mention but a few.
Dwarf Honeyguide Indicator seen in Bwindi, Ruhija, and the neck area; Rwenzori Turaco seen in Mgahinga, Rwenzori, and Echuya; Archer’s Robin-chat Cossypha archeri, seen in Mgahinga, Echuya, Bwindi, and the Rwenzoris; Red-throated alethe seen in Bwindi, Echuya, and the Rwenzoris; Kivu ground thrush, seen in Mgahinga, Echuya, Bwindi, and the Rwenzoris; Neumann’s Warbler always heard and seen around the Bwindi Buhoma forest rivers; Grauer’s Warbler, Graueria Vittata, seen in Bwindi, mostly in Ruhija.
What is the best time to do birding in the Albertine Rift
Birding in the Albertine Rift is possible all year round, but the best time to do birding excursions is during the dry season, which runs from June to August, since this is the breeding season of the majority of the Albertine Rift endemic species. However, during the rainy season, the birding trails are always muddy and thick, which obscures clear views of most of the wildlife species.
