Mount Elgon bird species are of a variety, ranging from forest, water to highland birds. Mount Elgon National Park is gifted with stunning rock formations, waterfalls, hot springs, Jackson’s Pool, caves, bamboo forests, flowers, vegetation, monkeys, rare plant and tree species and the world’s largest mountain caldera. In addition, the existence of over 300 bird species also makes it a must visit for nature lovers.
Mount Elgon Bird Species that can be found
Mount Elgon National Park boasts of over 300 bird species, including over 40 restricted species for this region. 56 of the 87 Afrotropical highland biome species live here, notably the Moorland Francolin, Mustached Green Tinkerbird and Alpine Chat. Mount Elgon bird species which are limited to Mount Elgon region include the Jackson’s Francolin and Black-collared Apalis. Among those limited to just a few mountains in eastern Uganda are the Black-shouldered Kite and Tacazze Sunbird.
Mount Elgon is therefore one of the few places in Uganda where the endangered Lammergeyer can be seen, soaring above the caldera and Suam Gorge.
The park has different areas where you can experience Mount Elgon bird species. These sections include the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center with excellent birding opportunities. The center is located inside Mount Elgon National Park, and the bird species that can be found here include the African Goshawk, Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia, African Blue Fly-catcher and Chinspot Batis. You won’t also miss the Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Dohertys and Luhders Bush-shrikes, Baglafecht Weaver, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Moustached Tinkerbird, Hartloub`s Turaco and Tacazze among others.
Other Attractions Beside Mount Elgon Bird Species
The guides are very pleasant with resourceful information about the flora and fauna around the park. Apart from Mount Elgon bird species, there are numerous other attractions that are harbored in Mount Elgon National Park. These include wild animals, caves, waterfalls, plant species and Jackson’s pool. All these will leave you mesmerized with the beauty of the area.
The nature walk is among the very interesting activity including hiking Mount Elgon which shall also give you a wonderful experience to encounter while at the park. Don’t miss the picturesque and gorgeous views across the caldera to both sides of Uganda and Kenya and down to the plains below. The excellent paths are all absolutely awesome, giving you a wonderful experience.
Other activities include:-
Nature Walks to Sipi Falls
A network of well-maintained (though often muddy) local trails give you beautiful views of the area and on your way to the bottom of each of the three Sipi Falls. It is possible to walk off on your own, but we recommend taking a local guide who can explain the flora and fauna and also negotiate the passage through private property.
Village and forest walks are also possible at the nearby Mount Elgon’s Forest Exploration Centre, though you will incur the national park fees to hike there.
Coffee Plantation Tours
Aside from the falls themselves, a highlight to visiting Sipi is a tour that takes you through the entire coffee plantation and processing experience at nearby family farms. You will pick the coffee berries, to deshell and grind them with a traditional mortar and pestle, and roast them on an open fire, before – the best part – finishing with a fine cup of strong Arabica coffee.
We highly recommend you to visit Mount Elgon National Park during the dry season, because parts of the Sipi Trail would be difficult, muddy and slippery. The cold whether condition during the rain season is also something to watch out for. The dry months begin in July, August and September and then late November, December and January, which also guarantee clear views from all the tops of the mountain.
Visitors who go for hiking Mount Elgon adventure usually also complement their adventure with a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an amazing gorilla trekking safari, to encounter the mountain gorillas. This is one of the most exciting Uganda safaris that most visitors have had and turned so memorable