Birding Safaris in Mount Rwenzori National Park | Top Bird Species

Experience the best of birding safaris in Mount Rwenzori National Park with an expert. Located in Kasese District, Western Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park shelters up to 217 species of birds, making it a favorite destination for birding enthusiasts.

Birding safaris in Mount Rwenzori offer unique sightings of not only resident birds but also diverse Albertine Rift endemic species.

A guided bird watching safari in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park takes you on a great exploration with a chance for you to explore diversity of afro-tropical highland biome species.

Mount Rwenzori National Park’s Top Bird Species

Within Mount Rwenzori National Park in Uganda, expect to explore a diverse range of bird species, including the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbirds, laughing dove, red-winged francolins, Great blue turacos, rufous-bellied pigeon, scaly-spurred fowl, red-eyed doves, little grebe, Handsome spurfowl, and Latham’s francolins.

Little egrets, montane nightjars, Klaas’s cuckoos, scarce swift, Ross’s turacos, Levaillant’s cuckoos, common sandpipers, dideric cuckoos, blue-headed coucals, hadada ibis, and red-knobbed coot.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park also supports birds such as brow snake eagle, black-headed heron, black-winged kite, and more. These and more make Mount Rwenzori National Park a favorite birding safari destination in Uganda.

About the Rwenzori National Park

Mt. Rwenzori National Park is an exceptional destination to explore in Uganda, not only for bird watching but also for game viewing safaris. This park was established in 1991 and covers 996 sq. km. It is home to one of Africa’s tallest peaks –the Margherita Peak, a snow-capped peak that sits at an altitude of 5109m.

Mount Rwenzori extends about 120 km and is 65km wide. The main mountain peaks that make up the block Rwenzori Mountain range include Mount Speke, Gessi, Mount Stanley, Emin, Baker, and Luigi di Savoia.

These are the 6 major Rwenzori Mountain ranges worth exploring during the guided mountaineering adventure. If you are an adventure seeker, these are the amazing mountain peaks that we can recommend in East Africa.

Packing for Birding Safaris in Mount Rwenzori National Park

When planning for a successful bird watching tours in Mount Rwenzori National Park, we recommend that you carry only essentials. On the list, consider carrying a pair of binoculars, sunglasses, a bottle of drinking water, long-sleeved shirts, a safari hat, waterproof walking boots, and a camera.

The camera you should consider for photography needs to be good to capture every moment during your birding tour. A guidebook with East African birds or Ugandan birds is also essential.

Add-ons to Birding Experiences in Mount Rwenzori National Park

Mountaineering or Hiking

Mount Rwenzori is popular for offering rewarding mountaineering experiences. To adventure lovers, the Rwenzori Mountain range promises breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. Mount Rwenzori is an ideal spot for all adventure lovers with plans to experience the unusual mountaineering holiday. Mount Rwenzori is open for 2026 mountain climbing adventures in Uganda.

Mountaineering to the peaks of Mt. Rwenzori is a perfect addition to birding. When it comes to mountaineering in Mount Rwenzori, expect to explore walking or hiking trails such as the Central Circuit and the Kilembe hiking trail.

You can also try the newly created hiking trails like Bukurungu trail and more. Each of these walking trail have camping options to enable you enjoy your hiking or mountaineering adventures.

A complete trek to the summits of Mount Rwenzori takes between 8 and 12 days or more. The length of the mountaineering expedition in the Rwenzori National Park varies depending on the particular hiking trail you opt to embark on.

Game Viewing

Mount Rwenzori National Park isn’t popular for game viewing like the Masai Mara or Queen Elizabeth National Park, but it guarantees amazing encounters.

Among the diverse animals to explore in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park are chimpanzees, hyrax, forest elephants, Rwenzori duikers, l’hoest monkeys, and Angola colobus monkeys.

Cultural or Community Visits (Guided)

Safaris to Rwenzori cover not only birding experiences but also community visits. A guided cultural tour in the Rwenzori Mountains allows you to explore more about the Bakonzo culture.

This is possible during community safaris in the Ruboni community or village. You get a chance to meet and interact with the residents living adjacent to the Rwenzori National Park.

The majority of the Bakonzo live around the foothills or base of Mount Rwenzori. Cultural visits can also be enjoyed along the Bulemba-Ihandiro trail, where you can explore more about the Rwenzururu cultures and traditions.

Best Time to Go for Birding Safaris in Mount Rwenzori National Park

Birding safaris in the Rwenzori National Park can be enjoyed at any time of the year. But June to August or December to February offer excellent conditions for bird watching expeditions. These are peak dry months, a period characterized by extended sunny days and drier birding trails in Mount Rwenzori National Park.

Birders interested in migratory species of birds can plan and participate in the birding tour in November and April. The beauty of embarking on birding safaris in Mount Rwenzori National Park around these months is that birders also get a chance to spot birds as they nest or breed.

Accommodation in Mount Rwenzori National Park –Uganda

When it comes to places to stay during birding safaris in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, we recommend the Equator Snow Lodge, Hotel Margherita, and Tours Holiday Inn. Ruboni Community Camp, Rwenzori International Hotel, and Rwenzori Trekkers Hostel.

Birders can also consider booking Tropical Savanna Guesthouse or book hotel accommodation in and around Kasese, including Sandton Hotel Kasese, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge, and more.

How to Get to the Rwenzori National Park for Birding

Road and air transportation offer easier access to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda). By road, you can depart from Entebbe or Kampala and reach the park through Mityana-Mubende to Kasese, and the journey takes about 6-7 hours’ drive. Avid birders can also access Mount Rwenzori National Park for bird watching through the Mbarara-Bushenyi route, and this is a 7-8 hours’ drive.

Is Mount Rwenzori National Park safe for birding safaris?

Mount Rwenzori National Park offers exceptional and safe bird watching experiences to avid birders on Uganda birding safaris. Visitors are led by experienced park ranger guides with extensive birding knowledge.

Suggested Itinerary for Birding Safaris in Mount Rwenzori National Park

The 15 Days Rwenzori Mountaineering & Birding Safari is the best trip plan to consider. With a complete 15-day mountaineering and birding experience, expect to spend 10-12 days while you concentrate on ascending and descending from the summits of Mt. Rwenzori. Get to explore the magnificent peaks of Mt Rwenzori by accessing them along the Rwenzori Central Circuit or Kilembe trail.

You can have a short birding excursion in the remaining 3 days or more to mark the end of the 15-day safari in Mount Rwenzori. Visitors can consider joining our group tours to experience most of the Rwenzori National Park and its bird species.

With group safaris, you can have the opportunity to share most of the costs thus enabling you to explore the park’s birds and also conquer the heights of Mt. Rwenzori at an affordable price.

Conclusion: Visit Mount Rwenzori National Park to enjoy the best of Uganda birding safaris and tour experiences. Rwenzori National Park promises not only captivating mountaineering experiences but also unforgettable birding safaris. Book your birding safaris in Mount Rwenzori National Park with Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd for lasting memories.