Three weeks around Uganda

From Nov 29th to Dec 21st a group of Finnish birders toured around Uganda. In all we saw and heard 571 species of birds, including two firsts for the country (Black Tern and Greater Spotted Eagle; both decently photographed). At Mabamba Swamp we started off with 5 different Shoebills and the next day we had 9 African Finfoots at Lake Mburo NP. Then up to the mist-forests at Ruhiza (Ruhija), Bwindi Impenetrable Forest N.P. (what a great name for an awesome birding spot!). Here most of the group went gorilla-trekking, with great success. Then to Buhoma, to the other end of Bwindi forest, with more Albertine Rift specials.
After a lot of forest birding we had a welcome break at Queen Elizabeth NP in more open savanna, with lots of animals, beside many new birds. The next stop was at Semliki Forest, on the Congolese border, where the endless Congo forests reach inside Uganda. Birding here is very demanding, but many species can only be found here, so it is well worth the effort. After Semliki we continued to Kibale Forest, for chimps and more birds (and lots of big and colourful butterflies on the forest floor). The last stop for those staying just for two weeks was Mabira Forest, near Jinja, east of Kampala. Some new birds, different monkeys and lots of butterflies. All in all, these forests need a lot of time to explore, and a day-visit is rarely enough to do them justice.
The third week was spent in the northwest targeting Murchison Falls NP, Lake Albert and the forests around Masindi (Budongo in particular). The open savannas at Murchison Falls were great for both birds and mammals and it was nice to be able to see the blue sky and the horizon again. Here at Murchison, south of the Nile, we had problems with swarms of tsetse-flies, which really drew blood! Sleeping sickness is still alive and kicking and needs to be taken seriously. Last year this particular area suffered from an outbreak, which gave us some extra concern. It’s not the lions, buffalos and snakes of Africa which are dangerous, it is the small biting insects, with all sorts of nasty things in their saliva, which you should keep away.