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Safari style birding (elephanting?) at Murchison Falls National Park. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
Our 2013 Uganda tour followed our well-tried route from the shores of Lake Victoria to the savanna grasslands of Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks, the forests of Budongo, Kibale and Mabira, the renowned Bwindi-Impenetrable NP for a host of Albertine Rift endemics, Shoebill on the Nile, treks to see gorillas and chimps, White-backed Night-Heron, Grauer's Broadbill, and, for the first time this year -- fabulous looks at the rare and beautiful Green-breasted Pitta!
Starting things off as usual, we made a day trip to the Mabamba Swamp where we saw our first two Shoebills, although sadly they were rather far away (but see below!). Saddle-billed Stork, Palmnut Vulture, Lesser Jacana, Great Blue Turaco, a tree full of fruit-eating barbets, Splendid Glossy-Starling, and a just gorgeous male Superb Sunbird were other highlights of a very productive first day.
We then headed north to Masindi and beyond to the wooded grasslands of Murchison Falls National Park, where a stop along the way gave us our best looks ever at the extremely localized Puvel's Illadopsis. The falls themselves were seriously impressive, and so was the Shoebill we saw the following day just standing amongst the reeds as we slowly approached to within 30 yards. Murchison is indeed a birdy area, and just some of the species we enjoyed included 9 species of herons, numerous African Fish-Eagles, Black-bellied Bustard, Senegal Thick-knee, Rock Pratincole, 8 species of kingfishers, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Red-winged Gray Warbler, Silverbird, and the striking Orange Bishop. We also encountered our first mammals, with simply hundreds of hippos along the Nile, African Elephant, Warthog, African Buffalo, Rothchild's Giraffe, Waterbuck, Kob, Oribi, and a rare Patas Monkey female with a baby.
Returning to Masindi we then had a day at nearby Budongo, and our first look at just how rich the Ugandan forests can be. Amazingly, Chimpanzees fed in a tree right next to where we decided to park our vehicles, three Gray Parrots flew overhead, a Yellow-throated Tinkerbird perched atop a nearby tree, a pair of Willcock's Honeyguides chased around us like mad things, both Black-and-white Casqued and White-thighed hornbills passed by, and then the normally secretive Gray Longbill perched right in the open amongst the tangled vines; we'd barely been in the forest for 30 minutes!
The broad trail and easy walking at Budongo makes forest birding a real treat, and we all enjoyed such special birds as Sabine's and Cassin's spinetails, Dwarf, Chocolate-backed, and Blue-breasted kingfishers, Blue-throated Roller, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Yellow-spotted Nicator, Red-tailed Greenbul, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Black-capped Apalis, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, African Forest-Flycatcher, and Forest Robin.
Now heading south, we took the long and often bumpy road to Kibale Forest, but not without stops along the way to add Heuglin's Francolin, Red-headed Lovebird, White-crested Turaco, Masked Apalis, Fan-tailed Grassbird, and our first Red-headed Malimbe. Kibale is undoubtedly the best place to join a guided Chimpanzee trek, and the next morning found us doing just that. It was probably our most exciting trek ever, as we soon found ourselves right amongst the alpha male and some of his younger competitors having a little set-to -- screaming, shouting, running around, and waving sticks at each other -- our timing couldn't have been more perfect. We added a few more birds along the road that afternoon and had great looks at an African Wood-Owl right in our camp after dinner -- but none of this could match the walk we were to take the following dawn. With sincere thanks to our local guides, we were soon watching one of Africa's least known and most beautiful birds: the fabulous Green-breasted Pitta! Many of us were already thinking "Wow, what a day!" though we hadn't even had breakfast yet!
We then went to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we saw a couple thousand Lesser Flamingos on the alkaline lake near Katwe, hundreds of African Skimmers along the Kazinga Channel, a dozen species of raptor, African Crake, Black Coucal, and Marsh Tchagra in the grasslands, the rare all-black form of African Paradise-Flycatcher right at our lodge, and the stunning Papyrus Gonolek in the papyrus beds. Mammals included more elephants, buffalo, hippo, waterbuck, and kob, but the 'fun award' went to a comical bunch of Banded Mongoose as they herded their way across the car park and right through the lodge!
For many birders visiting Uganda, the major highlight is their stay at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest. Here not only can one see Gorillas, which again performed marvelously this year, but it's also the habitat for many of the Albertine Rift endemic birds. We spent five nights in this area (at two different altitudes) where just some of the highlights were: Handsome Francolin (right on the track), Cassin's Hawk-Eagle, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (scope views), Black Bee-eater, Montane (Ruwenzori) Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide (rare), Elliot's Woodpecker, Grauer's Broadbill (for those who made the long steep walk), Ruwenzori Batis, Doherty's Bushshrike (just gorgeous), Stripe-breasted Tit, Neumann's Warbler (a super skulker), Red-faced Woodland-Warbler, Grauer's Swamp-Warbler, Ruwenzori and Black-faced apalises, Grauer's Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Chapin's Flycatcher (rare), Archer's Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Regal, Purple-breasted and Blue-headed sunbirds, and Strange Weaver.
Having thoroughly enjoyed our birding at Bwindi, we then headed east towards Kampala, stopping for two nights along the way at Lake Mburo National Park. As always the birding was superb, with fantastic looks at both White-backed Night-Heron and African Finfoot on the boat trip, Lilac-breasted Roller, Red-faced Barbet, and White-winged Black-Tit in the woodlands, and totally unexpected -- a flyby, calling, Thick-billed Cuckoo. We also added some new mammals, as strangely Mburo is one of the few areas in Uganda for Burchell's Zebra and Impala.
We then finished our tour with a night and morning at Mabira Forest adding Black Goshawk, Afep Pigeon, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Pied Hornbill, Sooty Boubou, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Yellow Longbill, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, and Yellow-mantled Weaver. Perhaps most memorable, though, was the wild, maniacally screaming Tree Hyrax -- which let their presence be known by calling around our rooms throughout the night.
Thanks to all for joining us this year in Uganda, and we hope to see all of you again soon on another tour.
--Terry and Jesse
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
Yellow-billed Storks were fairly common along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, allowing some nice close views. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
COMB DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos) – Two along the Nile at Murchison Falls, and then a flying adult male to the south of Masindi.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Two near Entebbe, and then 30 at Murchison Falls, and 300+ at QENP.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – Singles in the Entebbe area, and then 35 at Murchison Falls, and 1 at QENP.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – About 30 at Lake Victoria and Mabamba Swamp, and then 3 at Lake Mburo.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Widespread in open woodland and bush country; in all we saw a total of about 140.
CRESTED GUINEAFOWL (Guttera pucherani) – Nice looks at 3 along the road through Kibale Forest.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – Heard at Lake Mburo NP.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – Two at Murchison Falls, and about 8 at Lake Mburo.
HEUGLIN'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus icterorhynchus) – Can be very difficult, but we were lucky this tour and had good views at Murchison Falls, and in the farmland south of Masindi.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – Very common at QENP and Lake Mburo.
HANDSOME FRANCOLIN (Francolinus nobilis) – Often shy and difficult, but we all had excellent looks this year as two different pairs fed along the road at Ruhija.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – Six, together with Lesser Flamingos at Lake Katwe.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – About 2000 at Lake Katwe.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Small numbers at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 80.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – Two near Masindi, and 3 in QENP.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Great looks at these magnificent storks at Mabamba, Bogodi Swamp, and at Lake Mburo.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – Common and widespread in both towns and a variety of open country; we saw a total of about 550.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – One along the Nile at Murchison Falls, and then about 10 at QENP.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (WHITE-BREASTED) (Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus) – Two during our boat trip on the Nile, and then about 350 at the Kazinga Channel.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Most common at Murchison Falls, but small numbers were also present at a variety of fresh water wetlands throughout the tour.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa) – Six along the Nile at Murchison Falls.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
Without a doubt, the bizarre Shoebill, so unique that it's in its own family, is most folks' main target bird in Uganda, and as usual, we had awesome studies of this massive-billed bird! (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Forty on the way to Masindi, 35 at QENP, and 30 at Lake Mburo.
Balaenicipitidae (Shoebill)
SHOEBILL (Balaeniceps rex) – As always a real highlight of this tour; firstly we saw two distant flying birds at Mabamba Swamp, and then we all had excellent close views of a standing (and then flying) bird along the Nile in Murchison Falls NP.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Small numbers were widespread throughout the tour.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Fairly common at a variety of fresh water wetlands.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – More common than the similar looking previous species, they were common throughout the tour with a total of about 75.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath) – Fabulous looks at Murchison Falls NP (6), and at QENP (1); this is the world's largest heron.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Four at Mabamba Swamp, 5 at Murchison Falls, and 1 at Lake Mburo.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Small numbers were widespread throughout the tour.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Very common around Lake Victoria, with smaller numbers elsewhere.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Very common and widespread.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Singles along the Nile at Murchison Falls, QENP, and at Lake Mburo.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 9.
WHITE-BACKED NIGHT-HERON (Gorsachius leuconotus) – We all had just fantastic views of a bird on a nest at Lake Mburo - normally a real super skulker!
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Widespread; we saw a total of about 65 at a variety of widespread wetlands.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Common (and noisy) throughout the tour.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – One at a pool near Budongo Forest.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Small numbers were widespread in a variety of open country throughout the tour; in all we saw about 10.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – One near Entebbe, 4 at Murchison Falls, 1 at QENP, and 3 at Lake Mburo.
PALM-NUT VULTURE (Gypohierax angolensis) – Small numbers of these striking and attractive raptors were widespread, with a total of about a 10.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Three over Kampala, and then 2 at Mabira Forest.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – As in many African countries vultures have become increasingly uncommon in recent years; we saw small numbers of this species at Murchison Falls, QENP, and at Lake Mburo.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppellii) – One at Murchison Falls.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – One of the more common large raptors; they were widespread in open country with a total of about 35.
Another unique species with a family all to itself, the Hamerkop is a widespread species found throughout the country. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – Singles at Murchison Falls, near Masindi, and at QENP.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinerascens) – First seen near Masindi, and then at Murchison Falls, and finally at QENP.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – One high over Budongo Forest, and then better looks at up to 3 on the way to Ruhija.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – We saw an adult and an immature at Murchison Falls, and then 2 other adults in the same park the following day.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Common and widespread with a total of about 30.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Two at Murchison Falls.
CASSIN'S HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila africana) – Most of the group saw at least 1 of 2 single adults at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – Widespread in small numbers.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – Three singles at Murchison Falls.
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus ranivorus) – Three at Mabamba Swamp, 1 at Murchison Falls, and 1 at Lake Mburo.
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro) – Some of the group saw 1 at Kibale Forest.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – One near Mabamba Swamp, and 1 at Lake Mburo.
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus) – We saw a single perched bird in the Mabira Forest.
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus) – Common around towns and villages throughout the tour.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Most common along the Nile, but also plentiful at wetlands elsewhere with a total of about 65.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – About 15 in the higher parts of the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
Otididae (Bustards)
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – Three at Murchison Falls, and a single male at Lake Mburo.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Heard at Kibale and Budongo Forests.
RED-CHESTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura rufa) – Heard close by in a marsh to the south of Masindi - but just wouldn't show itself.
AFRICAN CRAKE (Crecopsis egregia) – Good looks at up to 4 in QENP.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Widespread, but most common along the Nile in Murchison Falls NP.
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
AFRICAN FINFOOT (Podica senegalensis) – Fabulous looks at a pair from the boat at Lake Mburo.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – These spectacular birds were most common around Lake Mburo, but they were also widespread in wetlands elsewhere throughout the tour.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – About 15 at Murchison Falls, 20 at QENP, and 2 at Lake Mburo.
SENEGAL THICK-KNEE (Burhinus senegalensis) – Two along the Nile at Murchison Falls.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
The scarce and skulking White-backed Night-heron is one of the key birds to find at Lake Mburo; we were lucky to see this bird on a nest, which allowed us excellent views. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – Small numbers along the Nile at Murchison Falls, and then about 50 at QENP.
BLACK-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus tectus) – About 20 in the dry grasslands along the north bank of the Nile.
SENEGAL LAPWING (Vanellus lugubris) – Due to the exceptionally long grass we only saw 1 this year at QENP.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Small numbers near Masindi, at QENP, and at Lake Mburo.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius) – Four along the shores of Lake Katwe.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – About 80 at Lake Katwe.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – About a dozen were seen distantly at Lake Katwe.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
LESSER JACANA (Microparra capensis) – Great looks this tour, with at least 4 at the Mabamba Swamp.
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw a total of about 45.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – One along the Nile at Murchison Falls.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) – One at Lake Katwe.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola) – About 40 from the boat along the Kazinga Channel.
ROCK PRATINCOLE (Glareola nuchalis) – Ten on the rocks above the falls, at Murchison Falls NP.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – Seven along the Kazinga Channel.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus) – One at Lake Katwe.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – One from the boat on the Kazinga Channel.
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – One in near breeding plumage at Lake Victoria.
AFRICAN SKIMMER (Rynchops flavirostris) – Just fabulous this tour, with at least 300 along the Kazinga Channel.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Common and widespread.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – About 50 in the Kabale area.
Though I'm certain we've all seen them in zoos countless times, seeing the spectacular Gray Crowned-Crane in its natural habitat is infinitely more exciting and wonderful. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
RAMERON PIGEON (Columba arquatrix) – About a dozen in the higher parts of the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
BRONZE-NAPED PIGEON (Columba iriditorques) – Several birds were heard in the forest at Buhoma.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – One, just outside Murchison Falls NP.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common and widespread.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Very common and widespread outside forest.
VINACEOUS DOVE (Streptopelia vinacea) – Common in the Masindi and Murchison Falls areas.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Fairly common and widespread away from forest.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – About 15 in the acacia bush country at Lake Mburo.
BLACK-BILLED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur abyssinicus) – About 10 at Murchison Falls NP.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – Widespread away from forest interior.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – This forest and woodland species was seen in small numbers at MFNP, Budongo, Buhoma, and Mabira Forest.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Six near Mabamba Swamp, 15 near Masindi, and then about a dozen at Lake Mburo.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – These huge and colorful turacos were widespread throughout the tour; in all we saw about 40.
BLACK-BILLED TURACO (Tauraco schuettii) – Another widespread turaco; although far more shy than the previous species; we saw a total of about 10.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – We saw a pair of these spectacular turacos near Masindi.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – Some of the group saw 1 near Masindi.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus) – Good looks in the acacia country around Lake Mburo.
EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer zonurus) – Widespread in open country and farmland.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii) – We saw 1 near Masindi, and 5 (singles) at Lake Mburo.
THICK-BILLED CUCKOO (Pachycoccyx audeberti) – This very uncommon cuckoo flew over our heads calling at Lake Mburo.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – Seen at Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, and Mabira Forest, and heard almost daily throughout the tour.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – One was scoped near Masindi, and another heard at Mabira Forest.
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis) – Two near Masindi, and 1 at Lake Mburo.
DUSKY LONG-TAILED CUCKOO (Cercococcyx mechowi) – Can be very difficult, so we were lucky to get good looks at a fly-by in the Mabira Forest.
BARRED LONG-TAILED CUCKOO (Cercococcyx montanus) – Another extremely shy cuckoo, which after some effort was scoped and seen nicely by every one.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Two singles were seen at Murchison Falls, and many others heard.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Singles at Kibale and Ruhija.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – Widespread away from forest; we saw a total of about 12.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – Often shy, but we all got good looks this tour with a number of sightings at Kaniyo Pabidi, Buhoma, and Mabira Forest.
BLACK COUCAL (Centropus grillii) – Three or 4 in the long grasslands at QENP.
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus) – One near Masindi, and 1 at QENP.
A small fraction of the roughly 300 African Skimmers we saw during our boat trip along the Kazinga Channel! (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Very common at QENP, with others in a variety of open woodland throughout the tour.
Strigidae (Owls)
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Two at Lake Mburo.
RED-CHESTED OWLET (Glaucidium tephronotum) – Heard at Kibale Forest during our Chimp trek.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – Great looks at a responsive bird at Kibale Forest.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
PENNANT-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Macrodipteryx vexillarius) – Some of the group saw 1 over our camp at Lake Mburo.
BLACK-SHOULDERED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus nigriscapularis) – Several were heard at Lake Mburo.
MONTANE NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus ruwenzorii) – More commonly known as Rwenzori Nightjar (Montane, being an alternative name for Abyssinian Nightjar) we all saw 1 in the forest at Ruhija.
Apodidae (Swifts)
SABINE'S SPINETAIL (Rhaphidura sabini) – Fabulous looks at birds drinking from a pool in Budongo Forest.
CASSIN'S SPINETAIL (Neafrapus cassini) – Two were with the previous species drinking from the pool at Budongo.
SCARCE SWIFT (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) – About 20 over Kibale Forest, and 10 at Buhoma.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Fairly common and widespread.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Very common in open country with palm trees.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Very common and widespread.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Most common at QENP (40), but we also saw them at MFNP (12), and Lake Mburo (8).
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Singles were seen at Kaniyo Pabidi, Kibale, and Buhoma.
BAR-TAILED TROGON (Apaloderma vittatum) – One evening at Buhoma we had a single in bad light, but then great looks for everyone the following day.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Small numbers were widespread on a variety of rivers, lakes and pools; in all we saw about 15.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – Small numbers in open woodland and bush country; we saw a total of about 8.
DWARF KINGFISHER (Ispidina lecontei) – Three at Budongo Forest.
CHOCOLATE-BACKED KINGFISHER (Halcyon badia) – One in the canopy at Budongo Forest.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – About 20 at Murchison Falls.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – Widespread, with a total of about 40.
BLUE-BREASTED KINGFISHER (Halcyon malimbica) – Heard at several widespread sites, and then seen well at Budongo, and briefly at Mabira Forest.
With its big "hair" and smeared, bright red "lipstick", the fabulous Great Blue Turaco kind of looks like a drag queen all dressed up for a night of partying! (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – One along the Nile at Murchison Falls.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Very common at rivers and lakes throughout the tour.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLACK BEE-EATER (Merops gularis) – A total of about 20 were seen in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
RED-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops bulocki) – Common along the Nile at Murchison Falls.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Four at Lake Mburo.
BLUE-BREASTED BEE-EATER (Merops variegatus) – We saw an adult and a juvenile at Mabamba Swamp.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – About 10 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
SWALLOW-TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops hirundineus) – Five near Butiaba.
MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER (Merops superciliosus) – Six near Mabamba Swamp, and 3 at QENP.
NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicus) – We saw about 100 of these gorgeous bee-eaters along the north bank of the Nile at Murchison Falls.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Five at Lake Mburo.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – Common and widespread away from forest.
BLUE-THROATED ROLLER (Eurystomus gularis) – Replaces the previous species within forest (although far less common); we saw 1 at Budongo.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Heard near Masindi and at Lake Mburo.
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei) – About a dozen at two sites in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Seven at Lake Mburo.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – Widespread in small numbers.
AFRICAN PIED HORNBILL (Tockus fasciatus) – Nice scope views of 1 at Mabira Forest.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Common in open bush country, like at Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – Common and widespread around forested areas.
WHITE-THIGHED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna albotibialis) – Two at Kaniyo Pabidi, 8 at Budongo, and 3 at Mabira Forest.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus abyssinicus) – We saw an adult and 2 sub-adults at Murchison Falls NP.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – Many heard, and singles seen at the Bogodi Swamp Trail, and Ruhija.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – Widespread in small numbers.
SPECKLED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus scolopaceus) – Fairly common in a variety of forests throughout the tour.
WESTERN TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus coryphaea) – Two singles in the forest at Ruhija.
YELLOW-THROATED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus subsulphureus) – Four at Budongo Forest, and a few others heard elsewhere.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus) – Common and widespread.
YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) – Singles at Masindi and near Budongo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – Small numbers were widespread in a variety of forests throughout the tour.
HAIRY-BREASTED BARBET (Tricholaema hirsuta) – Singles near Mabamba Swamp and Mabira, and then 3 at Kibale Forest.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – Singles at MFNP and QENP, and then at least 6 at Lake Mburo.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – Four near Masindi, and then 3 at Lake Mburo.
Uganda has some fine-looking kingfishers and we saw 10 different species, including this brilliant Malachite Kingfisher. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
BLACK-BILLED BARBET (Lybius guifsobalito) – About 10 at Murchison Falls, and 1 at QENP.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – Great looks at this striking barbet near Mabamba Swamp, at MFNP, and at Lake Mburo.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
DWARF HONEYGUIDE (Indicator pumilio) – We had scope views of this rare honeyguide in the forest below Ruhija.
WILLCOCKS'S HONEYGUIDE (Indicator willcocksi) – Two at Budongo Forest.
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator) – We saw an adult male at Ishasha, and an immature at Lake Mburo.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – One in the farmlands as we headed towards Ruhija.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Singles near Masindi, and at Lake Mburo.
BUFF-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Campethera nivosa) – Heard along the main trail at Buhoma.
BROWN-EARED WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli) – Two along the Bogodi Swamp Trail.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – Pairs at Masindi, and near Buhoma.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos xantholophus) – We saw a total of 4 at the Budongo and Kibale Forests.
ELLIOT'S WOODPECKER (Dendropicos elliotii) – Five at Buhoma.
GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – Singles near Mabamba Swamp, Masindi, and Lake Mburo.
OLIVE WOODPECKER (Dendropicos griseocephalus) – Some of the group saw 1 at Ruhija.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – Two singles along the road both in and out of Lake Mburo.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – Singles near Masindi and Murchison Falls, and also a pair at QENP.
RED-NECKED FALCON (Falco chicquera) – Some of the group saw 1 at Murchison Falls NP.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
RED-HEADED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis pullarius) – Four near Masindi.
GRAY PARROT (Psittacus erithacus) – We had fly-overs at the Budongo, Buhoma, and Mabira Forests.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – Two near Masindi, and then about 10 in the Lake Mburo area.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis) – Great looks at 2 singles (the second one displaying) at Buhoma.
Eurylaimidae (Asian and Grauer's Broadbills)
GRAUER'S BROADBILL (Pseudocalyptomena graueri) – More commonly known as African Green Broadbill; those who did the long steep walk at Ruhija had great looks at two.
Pittidae (Pittas)
GREEN-BREASTED PITTA (Pitta reichenowi) – Thanks to our local guides we all had great looks at this little known bird at Kibale Forest.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
AFRICAN SHRIKE-FLYCATCHER (Megabyas flammulatus) – Three at Kibale, and then about another dozen at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
Ugandan Christmas tree ornaments, also known as Northern Carmine Bee-eaters. We saw roughly 100 during our boat trip on the Nile at Murchison Falls. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Widespread in small numbers at forest edge and along wooded water courses.
CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira castanea) – Three at Budongo, and 2 at Mabira; a forest interior species.
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni) – Heard in the forest at both Budongo and Mabira.
RUWENZORI BATIS (Batis diops) – Great looks at 3 singles at Ruhija.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – About half a dozen at Lake Mburo.
BLACK-HEADED BATIS (Batis minor) – Singles at Murchison Falls and QENP.
ITURI BATIS (Batis ituriensis) – Heard calling high in the canopy at Budongo Forest.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – Two at Lake Mburo.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 12.
PINK-FOOTED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus angolensis) – Three at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest included a fabulous displaying male.
MARSH TCHAGRA (Tchagra minutus) – One in long grass at QENP.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – Most common at QENP (10), but several other singles were widespread.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – About 6 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Two in the farmland above Buhoma, and 2 near Mabira Forest.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – Fairly common and widespread; with a total of about 70.
PAPYRUS GONOLEK (Laniarius mufumbiri) – We saw this striking bird in the papyrus at the Kazinga Channel.
SOOTY BOUBOU (Laniarius leucorhynchus) – One at Mabira Forest.
MOUNTAIN SOOTY BOUBOU (Laniarius poensis) – Two singles at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Five seen (and many heard) around Buhoma.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – After a log hard slog we finally all saw 2 of these bushshrikes at Lake Mburo.
MANY-COLORED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus multicolor) – Good looks at a yellow morph along the main trail at Buhoma.
DOHERTY'S BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus dohertyi) – We all had fabulous looks at this gorgeous bushshrike in the forest below Ruhija.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – A total of 7 were seen in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
RED-SHOULDERED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga phoenicea) – Nice looks at a single male near Masindi.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides) – Common and widespread in open country.
The always stunning Lilac-breasted Roller. It seems a bit surprising that this widespread African bird is rather local in Uganda, and as usual we only encountered them at Lake Mburo. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan) in
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis) – More commonly known as Common Fiscal 'Lanius collaris' but some recent authorities have split them as Northern and Southern fiscals. If following this, all the birds we saw were Northern Fiscal; the race 'smithii' was widespread, while the race 'capelli' was in the Bwindi-Impenetrable area.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – We saw a single adult male near Masindi.
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – Six were seen at Budongo, and they were heard in many forests throughout the tour.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Two near Masindi, and 2 at QENP.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – Replaces Western Black-headed Oriole in higher altitude forest; we saw four at the Bwindi-Impenetrable.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Widespread in open woodland and bush country.
VELVET-MANTLED DRONGO (Dicrurus modestus modestus) – Nice looks at 2 at Mabira Forest.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
BLACK-HEADED PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone rufiventer) – We saw singles at Mabamba Swamp, near Masindi, Kaniyo Pabidi, Budongo, and Mabira.
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Replaces the previous species in more open woodland; we saw a total of about 10, including the rare all blackish form at Mweya, QENP.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PIAPIAC (Ptilostomus afer) – Fairly common around Masindi and Murchison Falls; in all we saw about 60.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus albicollis) – One at Ruhija.
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
YELLOW-SPOTTED NICATOR (Nicator chloris) – More commonly known as Western Nicator, we saw one at Budongo Forest.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – About 15 at QENP, and 1 near Mabamba Swamp.
FLAPPET LARK (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) – One at MFNP, and about 6 at Queen Elizabeth NP.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – About 20 during our boat trip on the Kazinga Channel.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – Common and widespread.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Two at Paraa, and 2 at Masindi.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – About 20 in the open country around the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – This attractive swallow was common and widespread.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa) – Four at Mabamba Swamp, and 10 at QENP.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – Widespread throughout the tour.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – About 100 in the Bwindi-Impenetrable area.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – Pairs at Mabamba Swamp, along the Bogodi Swamp Trail, and at Buhoma.
WHITE-TAILED BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia albicauda) – One at Gorilla Forest Camp, and 1 below Ruhija.
WHITE-BELLIED CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia albiventris) – Some of the group saw 1 in the forest below Ruhija.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TIT (Melaniparus leucomelas) – Four at Lake Mburo.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – About a dozen in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
STRIPE-BREASTED TIT (Melaniparus fasciiventer) – Good looks at 2 singles at Ruhija.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
AFRICAN PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus caroli) – We saw a pair of the yellowish race 'roccattii' near Masindi.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris gracilirostris) – Common in the canopy of many forests throughout the tour.
COMMON BRISTLEBILL (Bleda syndactylus woosnami) – One seen on the Bogodi Swamp Trail, and several others heard throughout the tour.
LESSER BRISTLEBILL (Bleda notatus ugandae) – Everyone heard, and some of the group saw 1 at Mabira Forest.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – The form 'kakamegae' is often split as Kakamega Greenbul; we saw 3 in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis) – We saw about a dozen (mainly in the middle levels) of the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
Though perhaps not as mammal-rich as neighboring Kenya, Uganda still offers a good selection of big game, including the elegant Rothschild's Giraffe, which is fairly numerous on the north bank of the Nile. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
YELLOW-THROATED GREENBUL (Atimastillas flavicollis) – Two at Mabamba Swamp, 1 at Murchison Falls, and 2 at Buhoma.
RED-TAILED GREENBUL (Criniger calurus emini) – Small numbers in the middle levels of Kaniyo Pabidi and the Bwindi-Impenetrable forests.
GRAY GREENBUL (Eurillas gracilis ugandae) – Small numbers at Kaniyo Pabidi, Budongo, and Mabira forests.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – Two at Buhoma.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – Small numbers at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – Common in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens virens) – Heard in many areas (including overgrown farmland and secondary growth forest) we also saw them at Kibale and Buhoma.
TORO OLIVE-GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus hypochloris) – We had fantastic views of this rather uncommon greenbul at 'The Neck' in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
YELLOW-STREAKED GREENBUL (YELLOW-STREAKED) (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus olivaceogriseus) – Two singles in the Ruhija area.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common and widespread.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
GREEN CROMBEC (Sylvietta virens) – Singles at Kaniyo Pabidi and Kibale.
LEMON-BELLIED CROMBEC (Sylvietta denti) – Several were heard singing high in the canopy at Budongo, but despite a lot of searching they just wouldn't show themselves.
WHITE-BROWED CROMBEC (Sylvietta leucophrys) – Three singles in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – Three singles at Murchison Falls NP.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Three at Lake Mburo.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis) – We had good looks at this rather shy species near Masindi, Budongo, and in QENP.
YELLOW LONGBILL (Macrosphenus flavicans) – Simply fantastic looks this tour at Mabira Forest.
GRAY LONGBILL (Macrosphenus concolor) – Longbills can be difficult! But this was another species that showed really well this tour - firstly at Budongo, and then at Mabira.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Erythrocercus mccallii) – About 10 along the Royal Mile at Budongo.
NEUMANN'S WARBLER (Hemitesia neumanni) – Normally another real super skulker, but we had great looks at 1 along a forested stream at Buhoma.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
RED-FACED WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus laetus) – About 15 in the high altitude forest around Ruhija.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis) – Two singles at Ruhija.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
WHITE-WINGED SWAMP-WARBLER (Bradypterus carpalis) – Good looks in the papyrus as we waited in our broken down boat at Lake Mburo.
GRAUER'S SWAMP-WARBLER (Bradypterus graueri) – Four were seen by the group who took the long steep walk below Ruhija.
CINNAMON BRACKEN-WARBLER (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) – One seen (and many heard) at Ruhija.
FAN-TAILED GRASSBIRD (Schoenicola brevirostris) – One in the grassy overgrown farmland south of Masindi.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
RUWENZORI APALIS (Apalis ruwenzorii) – Four in the Ruhija area.
BLACK-CAPPED APALIS (Apalis nigriceps collaris) – We saw 3 of these very attractive apalises in the Budongo Forest.
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni jacksoni) – About 14 seen (and many heard) in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
MASKED APALIS (Apalis binotata) – Four along the roadside as we headed towards Kibale Forest.
BLACK-FACED APALIS (Apalis personata) – At least 6 in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida caniceps) – Six at Lake Mburo.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis nigrescens) – Small numbers in the canopy at Budongo and the Bwindi-Impenetrable forests.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema affinis) – Four seen (and many more heard) in the Ruhija area.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea cinerea) – Two at the Mabamba Swamp, and about 6 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – The gray-backed race 'brevicaudata' was common and widespread.
YELLOW-BROWED CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera superciliaris) – Good looks at 2 singing in the tangled vines at Budongo.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota toroensis) – Heard in several forests and seen well at Buhoma.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – Widespread in small numbers.
RED-WINGED GRAY WARBLER (Drymocichla incana) – Three of these attractive and uncommon birds were seen at Murchison Falls NP.
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops sylvia) – Two in the Budongo area.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans belli) – One in the Budongo area.
WHISTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lateralis antinorii) – Heard near Masindi and Budongo.
TRILLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola woosnami woosnami) – Singles at QENP and Lake Mburo.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi chubbi) – The common duetting cisticola in the undergrowth all around the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana simplex) – Very common at Murchison Falls NP.
WINDING CISTICOLA (WINDING) (Cisticola galactotes marginatus) – Common and widespread in wetlands throughout the tour.
CARRUTHERS'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola carruthersi) – Two along the Kazinga Channel, and 1 at the swamp below Ruhija.
CROAKING CISTICOLA (Cisticola natalensis strangei) – Widespread in overgrown farmland and grasslands; in all we saw about 20.
SIFFLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola brachypterus hypoxanthus) – Three at MFNP, and 1 at Queen Elizabeth NP.
FOXY CISTICOLA (Cisticola troglodytes troglodytes) – Good looks at 1 on the Butiaba Escarpment.
ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis uropygialis) – One on the Butiaba Escarpment, and 1 at QENP.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – Widespread, although far more often heard than seen; we had our best looks at Murchison Falls.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus vulpinus) – We saw about 15 of these attractive forest undergrowth skulkers in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Two in the acacias at Ishasha, and 1 at Lake Mburo.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava subflava) – Common and widespread.
BANDED PRINIA (BANDED) (Prinia bairdii obscura) – Two at Buhoma.
RUFOUS-CROWNED EREMOMELA (Eremomela badiceps badiceps) – We saw a flock of 5 along the Royal Mile at Buhoma.
Sylviidae (Sylviids, Parrotbills and Allies)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Pseudoalcippe abyssinica atriceps) – The dark headed form 'atriceps' is sometimes split as Rwenzori Hill Babbler; we saw 4 at Ruhija.
GRAUER'S WARBLER (Graueria vittata) – Normally a real skulker, but we all had great looks at 2 in the forest at Ruhija.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – Widespread in small numbers.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Common and widespread.
Pellorneidae (Fulvettas and Ground Babblers)
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus) – Heard several times and then seen exceptionally well in the forest interior at Mabira.
Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi-Impenetrable forest may be strenuous and expensive, but the sight of a massive silverback in his natural environment is an amazing and unforgettable experience. (Not to mention the money goes to gorilla conservation: Win-win!) (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
MOUNTAIN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera) – Three, and then 2 in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei) – About 15 at QENP.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – Seven at QENP, and then 4 at Lake Mburo.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SILVERBIRD (Empidornis semipartitus) – Seven at Murchison Falls NP.
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus murinus) – Three at Murchison Falls NP.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri toruensis) – Small numbers around the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides lugubris) – One near Masindi.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – Two at Lake Mburo.
YELLOW-EYED BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis ardesiacus) – Some of the group saw 1 in the forest below Ruhija.
AFRICAN FOREST-FLYCATCHER (Fraseria ocreata) – Two along the Royal Mile at Budongo.
SOOTY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa infuscata minuscula) – Three at Kibale Forest.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica infulata) – Small numbers at Paraa, QENP, and Lake Mburo.
CHAPIN'S FLYCATCHER (CHAPIN'S) (Muscicapa lendu lendu) – We saw 2 of these rare flycatchers along the main trail at Buhoma.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta pumila) – About 8 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
DUSKY-BLUE FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa comitata comitata) – Five in the Buhoma area.
CASSIN'S FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa cassini) – Two along the river at Kibale, and 1 at The Neck.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens brevicauda) – One at Kibale Forest.
GRAY-THROATED TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus griseigularis griseigularis) – Seen nicely at Budongo (and also seen in several other forests).
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus plumbeus) – Two at Murchison Falls NP.
FIRE-CRESTED ALETHE (FIRE-CRESTED) (Alethe diademata castanea) – Often very shy, but we had excellent looks both at Kaniyo Pabidi and at Budongo.
BROWN-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) – Two in the farmland just outside Budongo Forest.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Singles at MFNP, and at Lake Mburo.
WHITE-BELLIED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossyphicula roberti) – We had great views of this normally shy robin-chat at Buhoma.
ARCHER'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha archeri) – Good looks at 2 at Ruhija.
BLUE-SHOULDERED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha cyanocampter) – Heard by all (and seen briefly by a few) at Buhoma.
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – Two singles at Buhoma.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – The most common and widespread robin-chat; in all we saw about 35.
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis) – Heard in several areas, and seen by some of the group at Mabira Forest.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – First seen along the Bogodi Swamp Trail, and then 2 more at Buhoma.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – About half a dozen at Murchison Falls.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata ruwenzorii) – Three in the Ruhija area.
RED-THROATED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliophrys) – We saw an adult and a juvenile along the main trail at Buhoma.
FOREST ROBIN (EASTERN) (Stiphrornis erythrothorax xanthogaster) – Great looks at a singing bird on the forest floor at Buhoma.
EQUATORIAL AKALAT (Sheppardia aequatorialis) – Two at Buhoma.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (AFRICAN) (Saxicola torquatus axillaris) – Six in the farmland around the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra) – Small numbers were widespread throughout the tour; in all we saw about 100.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RUFOUS FLYCATCHER-THRUSH (Neocossyphus fraseri vulpine) – Singles at Budongo, Buhoma, and Mabira forests.
RED-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus rufus gabunensis) – One at Budongo Forest.
WHITE-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus poensis praepectoralis) – One along the Bogodi Swamp Trail.
OLIVE THRUSH (Turdus olivaceus) – One in the forest near Ruhija.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios centralis) – Fairly common and widespread.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – We saw a single adult male at Murchison Falls NP.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – About 6 at Lake Mburo.
LESSER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chloropterus) – About 30 between Masindi and MFNP.
SPLENDID GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis splendidus) – Six along the way to Mabamba Swamp.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 200.
PURPLE-HEADED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpureiceps) – Seven at Kibale Forest, and then 2 at Buhoma.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – One at MFNP, and then about 30 on the way to Ishasha.
SLENDER-BILLED STARLING (Onychognathus tenuirostris) – One at Kibale Forest.
CHESTNUT-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus fulgidus) – Two at Kibale, and then 8 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
NARROW-TAILED STARLING (Poeoptera lugubris) – Two at Kibale, and 4 at Buhoma.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – Five near Ruhija.
SHARPE'S STARLING (Pholia sharpii) – About 10 along the road east of Ruhija.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – Small numbers at MFNP, QENP, and at Lake Mburo.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
GRAY-HEADED SUNBIRD (Deleornis axillaris) – Nice looks at this unusual sunbird at Buhoma.
LITTLE GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes seimundi) – Three at Buhoma.
GREEN SUNBIRD (GRAY-THROATED) (Anthreptes rectirostris tephrolaemus) – One at Kibale, and about 20 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris garguensis) – Widespread in small numbers.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (GREEN-HEADED) (Cyanomitra verticalis viridisplendens) – Most common around Buhoma, but also seen in several other widespread areas.
BLUE-THROATED BROWN SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra cyanolaema octaviae) – Three at Buhoma.
BLUE-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra alinae alinae) – One at Buhoma and then 3 others in the Ruhija area.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – Singles at Kibale, Buhoma, and Mabira forests.
GREEN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra rubescens) – Most common at Buhoma, but also at Mabamba Swamp and Kibale; we saw a total of about 15.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis lamperti) – Small numbers between Entebbe and Murchison Falls.
PURPLE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Nectarinia purpureiventris) – Six in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis kilimensis) – About 20, mainly in the farmland around the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius) – We saw a single male at Paraa.
TINY SUNBIRD (Cinnyris minullus) – We saw a male in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi preussi) – Common in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest, with a few others at Buhoma and Kibale.
REGAL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris regius regius) – About 10 of these gorgeous sunbirds were seen in the Ruhija area.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus pulchellus) – Four at Murchison Falls NP.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis suahelicus) – Two males at Lake Mburo.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – Common around Entebbe and along the Kazinga Channel.
SUPERB SUNBIRD (Cinnyris superbus) – Another gorgeous sunbird; we saw males at Mabamba Swamp and near Masindi.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (ORANGE-CHESTED) (Cinnyris venustus igneiventris) – One at Entebbe, and 3 at Ruhija.
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus cupreus) – We saw about half a dozen in the Masindi to Budongo area.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Two at Mabamba Swamp, and 1 at Ruhija.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – One along the river within Kibale Forest.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Very common and widespread.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – Two at QENP.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Two at QENP, and 2 at Lake Mburo.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – Small numbers in open farmland and at Lake Mburo.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi) – We saw a single male on the Butiaba Escarpment.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex sassii) – Three at Ruhija.
WHITE-RUMPED SEEDEATER (Serinus leucopygius leucopygius) – After a lot of walking back and forth we finally found 3 in the farm country just outside Murchison Falls NP.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Widespread in farm country.
WESTERN CITRIL (Serinus frontalis) – Two near Ruhija.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus sharpii) – Singles at Entebbe, QENP, and Buhoma.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus graueri) – Fairly common in the high country around Ruhija.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni kilimensis) – Small numbers in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – Very common and widespread.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Three on the north bank of the Nile in Murchison Falls NP.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – Nice looks at 2 on the Butiaba Escarpment.
RED-HEADED MALIMBE (Malimbus rubricollis) – Small numbers at Kibale, Buhoma and Mabira; in all we saw about 12.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common in the farmland around the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Three at Murchison Falls.
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – Common around Entebbe and in QENP.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – Fairly widespread in small numbers.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – Singles and pairs near Masindi, Kibale, and Buhoma.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – Three in the Buhoma area.
STRANGE WEAVER (Ploceus alienus) – Two at Ruhija.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Two in the farmland as we left the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
ORANGE WEAVER (Ploceus aurantius) – Good looks at a nest building pair north of the Mabamba Swamp.
NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus castanops) – About 10 in the Mabamba Swamp area, 2 at Mweya, and 2 at Lake Mburo.
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – About 30 at Mweya, QENP.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Two on the Butiaba Escarpment.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus) – Common and widespread.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Very common and widespread.
WEYNS'S WEAVER (Ploceus weynsi) – Some of the group saw a good looking male at Mabamba Swamp.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – More commonly known as Yellow-backed Weaver, they were very common in wetlands throughout the tour.
YELLOW-MANTLED WEAVER (Ploceus tricolor) – We saw about 6 of these rather localised weavers at Mabira Forest.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – We saw about a dozen of these attractive weavers in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
COMPACT WEAVER (Pachyphantes superciliosus) – Three in the farmland near Budongo Forest.
RED-HEADED QUELEA (Quelea erythrops) – About 30 in the Masindi area.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – Flocks totalling about 1000 were in QENP.
ORANGE BISHOP (Euplectes franciscanus) – More commonly known as Northern Red Bishop, we saw about 40 of these striking birds in the Murchison Falls area.
RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix) – Four in the farmland near Kibale Forest.
BLACK-WINGED BISHOP (Euplectes hordeaceus) – One on the Butiaba Escarpment.
BLACK BISHOP (Euplectes gierowii) – Another striking bishop, we saw singles near MFNP, and near Masindi.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – Four in the high country near Ruhija.
WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes albonotatus) – One near Masindi.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macroura) – Often lumped with the following form, but also split as Yellow-mantled Widowbird; we saw about 30 in the Masindi and MFNP areas.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca) – Often lumped with the previous form, but also split as Yellow-shouldered Widowbird; we saw about 4 in the Masindi area.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens) – We saw about 30 the all black race 'concolor' in the Masindi area.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – About 20 at the Mabamba Swamp, and 15 near Masindi.
MARSH WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes hartlaubi) – Six in the flooded grasslands south of Masindi.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Twelve at Budongo, and a few others near Masindi and Paraa.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – Small numbers were widespread at forest edge throughout the tour.
WHITE-BREASTED NIGRITA (Nigrita fusconotus) – Small numbers at Budongo, Buhoma, and Mabira forests.
YELLOW-BELLIED WAXBILL (Coccopygia quartinia) – Two as we were leaving the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
GREEN-BACKED TWINSPOT (Mandingoa nitidula) – One of the group saw a single male at Mabira Forest.
FAWN-BREASTED WAXBILL (Estrilda paludicola) – Small flocks in rank vegetation near Masindi, Budongo, and at QENP.
BLACK-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda troglodytes) – Five were drinking at a roadside pool near Lake Albert.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – Five along the Kazinga Channel.
BLACK-CROWNED WAXBILL (Estrilda nonnula) – Small numbers were seen in several areas overgrown farmland.
KANDT'S WAXBILL (Estrilda kandti) – Eight in the Ruhija area.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Very common in the Murchison Falls area, and at Lake Mburo.
DUSKY TWINSPOT (Euschistospiza cinereovinacea) – Thanks to our local guide most of the group saw at least 1 (of 2) in the farm country before Ruhija.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – Singles near Murchison Falls and at Queen Elizabeth national parks.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Common and widespread.
BAR-BREASTED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rufopicta) – About a dozen at Murchison Falls NP.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – Common and widespread.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (Spermestes bicolor) – One near Masindi, and then about 20 around the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – Fairly common and widespread (including many males in fine breeding plumage).
MAMMALS
YELLOW-WINGED BAT (Lavia frons) – One at Lake Mburo.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – Ten at Budongo, and then about 20 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – More commonly known as Red-tailed, or Copper-tailed Monkey; they were widespread in many forested areas.
L'HOEST'S MONKEY (Cercopithecus l'hoesti) – Good looks at about 10 in the Kibale area, and then 30 at the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common and widespread in open woodland.
PATAS MONKEY (Erythrocebus patas) – Great looks at a mother and baby in Murchison Falls NP.
GRAY-CHEEKED MANGABEY (Cercocebus albigena) – Heard at Kibale, and then seen nicely at Mabira Forest.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Very common and widespread; with a total of about 900.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known as Black-and-white Colobus; these attractive monkeys were widespread throughout the tour.
UGANDA RED COLOBUS (Piliocolobus tephrosceles) – About 40 in the Kibale Forest.
CHIMPANZEE (Pan troglodytes) – Amazing this tour; with 2 at Kaniyo Pabidi, 2 at Budongo, and then fabulous looks at about 10 right next to us on the ground at Kibale.
EASTERN LOWLAND GORILLA (Gorilla beringei graueri) – Great looks at a silverback and about 9 of his troop for those who went on the organised gorilla trek.
STRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus erythropus) – Singles near Entebbe and at QENP.
CARRUTHER'S MOUNTAIN SQUIRREL (Funisciurus carruthersi) – This was the rather plain olive-brown squirrel that some of the group saw at Ruhija.
ALEXANDER'S BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus alexandri) – Extremely similar to the following species but with white tips to the ears; we saw them at Budongo and Buhoma.
BOEHM'S BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus boehmi) – Extremely similar to the previous species but lacks white tips to the ears; we saw them at Kaniyo Pabidi, Kibale, and perhaps elsewhere?
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – Two in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
SPOTTED-NECKED OTTER (Lutra maculicollis) – One in the Mabamba Swamp, Lake Victoria.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – Thirty at QENP, and 20+ at Lake Mburo.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Many nice encounters, including lone bulls, and family groups with small babies; we saw about 35 at Murchison Falls and 160 at Queen Elizabeth national parks.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – Several were heard calling at night all around the Rainforest Lodge at Mabira Forest; the calls here are very different from those in the highlands of Kenya, much more like those of lowland forest in west and central Africa - perhaps a new species?
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – About 400 at Lake Mburo.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Common at Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo; we saw a total of about 300.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Several hundred along the Nile and the Kazinga Channel, and also about 30 at Lake Mburo.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – About 50 along the north bank of the Nile at MFNP.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – About 40 at Lake Mburo.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – One at Lake Mburo.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – One hundred at Murchison Falls, 350 at Queen Elizabeth, and 3 at Lake Mburo.
BLACK-FRONTED DUIKER (Cephalophus nigrifrons) – Two singles in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – About 140 at Murchison Falls, 20 at Queen Elizabeth, and 150 at Lake Mburo.
KOB (Kobus kob) – Perhaps 800 were seen to the north of the Nile in MFNP, and then surprisingly few (the grass was too long?) in Queen Elizabeth NP.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 80 at Lake Mburo.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – More commonly known as Jackson's Hartebeest, we saw about 30 at Murchison Falls NP.
ORIBI (Ourebia ourebi) – About 150 at Murchison Falls NP.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Very common at Lake Mburo, where we saw about 500.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Reptiles seen on the tour included the following;
Black-and-orange Agama; 30 at Murchison Falls NP.
Blue-headed Tree Agama; 2 at Mabira Forest.
Tropical House Gecko; common and widespread.
Nile Crocodile; 4 along the Nile in MFNP.
Water Monitor; 1 at Murchison Falls NP.
Totals for the tour: 480 bird taxa and 35 mammal taxa