UGANDA’S BIODIVERSITY EXPLAINED

Uganda’s stunning biodiversity can only be depicted if you understand its geography.

Uganda is exceptionally important in terms of biodiversity.1 Surveys report the occurrence of 18,783 species. Seated on just 241, 551 Km2, it accounts for 0.18% of the world’s terrestrial and freshwater surface, harbors 4.6% of the dragonflies, 6.8% of the butterflies, 7.5% of the mammals, and 10.2% of the bird species globally recognized. Uganda has more species of primates than anywhere else on Earth of similar area.

Uganda is a land locked country, located in an area where seven of Africa’s distinct biogeographic regions or phytochoria converge. Given Uganda’s location in a zone between the ecological communities that are characteristic of the drier East African savannas and the more moist West African rain forests, combined with high altitude ranges, the country has a high level of biological diversity in its unique blend of semi-arid woodlands, savannah and forest communities as well as in the montane and lake habitats.

Uganda’s collection of snow-covered Rwenzori mountains and their various climatic zones, its lush valleys, endless plains, impenetrable forests and grasslands/savannas are all part of a diverse geography formed over millions of years. This unique geography has enabled Uganda to shelter an equally unique diversity of avian fauna, perfectly adapted to its unique surroundings. Uganda is the land of birds, but not by chance. This section, dedicated to the country’s ecoregions – The Albertine rift, Sango bay and forests – will explain why.

The Albertine Rift is an important region for global conservation. It harbors more species of vertebrates than any other region on the African continent. This region shelters more than half of continental Africa’s bird species and nearly 40% of its mammal species. There are more endemic mammals, birds and amphibians found in the Rift than any other site in continental Africa.

The Albertine Rift stretches from the northern tip of Lake Albert in Uganda to the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika in northern Zambia. The natural habitat within this ecoregion, comprised of pieces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia and Tanzania, is equally diverse, ranging from glaciers at the top of the fabled Rwenzori Mountains, down through alpine moorland, forest lands and savanna grasslands. These landscapes support high levels of species richness and endemism. In terms of biological diversity, the forest and lakes within this area constitute one of the richest parts of the world.

Wetlands in the Albertine Rift include high altitude swamps (such as those found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park) which are critical natural habitats for rare species. The high altitude swamps in Bwindi are, for example, important for the Grauer’s Rush Warbler and Shoebill Stork.

THE SANGO BAY ECOREGION

The Sango Bay ecosystem is comprised of a system of wetlands and forests in southern Uganda (Rakai District). It borders Lake Victoria and contains 41% of Uganda's bird species. At the mouth of Kagera River (partly in Tanzania partly in Uganda) the forests contain Podocarpus spp. and other species usually restricted to montane forest. Within this diversity of wetland types are many specialists. Over 159 species of birds are wetlands specialists.

Throughout the length of the Sango Bay ecoregion of Uganda there is an array of ecosystems, all of which are home to a startling number of range-restricted endemics and near-endemics which can be seen fairly easily during a typical 10-day tour.

DRY MONTANE FOREST ECOREGIONS

Dry montane forests occur in the east, and north of Uganda. Those of Karamoja contain a number of rare and restricted range species not found in other parts of Uganda. The area has thirty known regional endemic species of birds, among them the globally-threatened Karamoja Apalis (Apalis karamojae), and several endemic species of butterflies (Papilio nobilis, Charaxes smaragdilis elgonae).

This mixture of ecosystems, and relative easy access from major cities such as Kampala, means that birding in Uganda’s Forests can be a very richly rewarded experience. Giant Kingfisher, African green pigeon, Crowned Hornbill, African Harrier Hawk, Cinnamon Chested bee eater, Mountain masked apalis, Black billed turaco, African Broadbill, Western green tinker bird, Handsome francolin, Yellow streaked greenbull, Neumann’s warbler, Yellow streaked greenbull, Handsome Francolin and Shelley’s crimson wing all make up what can be a quite fantastic bird list from just one or two sites, such as Bwindi – renowned for its variety of habitats; Rushaga sector, Nguringo sector, Ruhija sector and Buhooma sector which is home to all the birds that are associated with the impenetrable forest. Seven days to fourteen is normally sufficient for a successful birding experience. Amphibians thrive here as do every other type of animal and insect, especially birds. It is one of the wettest places on earth and it rains an average of 250 to 300 days of the year. This is true ‘wet’ or ‘rainforest’. Rwenzori NP, Murchison NP, Kibale NP, Kidepo NP Lake Mburo NP, Victoria and Bunyonyi Lake basins cannot be forgotten.

On the banks of the River Nile itself and an exciting Nile water experience – riparian species and hungry raptors abound near the famed Longest River in the world, which showcases the Ugandan diversity at its best.