The Mountains of the Moon are home to more than 217 bird species spread across the Rwenzori circuit. Many of these birds show bright colors, and the best way to see them is on a nature walk. Though some visitors find the walks tiring, they are rewarding because they connect you not only with the birds but also with the wild environment. When taking photos, avoid loud noise or bright flashes because the birds are very sensitive.
Birding takes you through several well-known routes such as the Rwenzori Central Circuit, the oldest and most used trail, the Kilembe Trail near the Kilembe mines, the Kazingo Trail, and the Bukurungu Trail. Along these routes you may also see primates, butterflies, streams, mammals, and rich plant life that make the activity more exciting.
For birding, it is advised to carry binoculars, sunglasses, a notebook, a pen, and a first aid kit. Some of the birds you are likely to spot include the barred long-tailed cuckoo, Rwenzori turaco, long-eared owl, handsome francolin, blue-headed sunbird, white-starred robin, Rwenzori batis, montane sooty boubou, greenbul, strange weaver, golden-winged sunbird, apalis, flycatchers, crimson wings, Lagden’s bush shrike, and many more.
There are also places outside the deeper mountains where birds can be seen, such as Lake Muhoma, located 3,000 meters above sea level. This lake hosts many bird species, and covering all of them may take two to three days of walking.
The best time for birding is during the dry months of June to August and December to February, when trails are easier to walk compared to the rainy season when they become muddy and slippery. However, the park is open all year, and bird breeding often happens during the wet months.
Mount Rwenzori is one of the best places for bird-watching in Uganda.
