from a 5-week trip to Uganda and Rwanda, having driven up from South Africa. The issue I want to raise is not about the "normal" problems experienced in Europe & America where the high tourist numbers are causing degradation of the environment - but rather the opposite: if more tourists do not arrive soon, the environment will be destroyed. Tourism in Rwanda and Uganda has reached levels so low that the preservation of the environment is no longer economically viable.  Unless tourist numbers increase NOW, the forests will be destroyed. If the current trend is not reversed, Africa's best forests will soon be destroyed - not through vandalism, but because the "western world" has told the locals that they don't value the forests, so they might as well chop them down to feed themselves.

....Birding in Uganda - There can be few destinations on Earth where 

one can expect to find almost 550 avian species in one park alone - Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park is one. 350 species have been recorded in the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. These two parks alone are among the richest protected areas to be found anywhere on Earth. Accolades for Uganda's birding delights are rarely understated. Nigel Wheatley, for instance, in Where to Watch Birds in Africa (1995) said: "In terms of its size, Uganda is the richest country for birds in Africa. " And this immense volume and diversity occurs miraculously in a space which keen birders can cover in a relatively short visit.  Noted author Philip Briggs writes: "Uganda is arguably the best country in Africa for birds, with about 1000 species recorded in an area the size of great Britain. "

....Birds and Flowers of Uganda - Uganda is an ornithologist's paradise

as well as a natural habit for innumerable plants, from the luxuriant growths of the rain forest to tiny alpine flowers on the mountains. Although a comparatively small country, Uganda has over a thousand different species of birds from great eagles and rare shoebill storks to tiny iridescent sunbirds.

includes information on all Uganda's Ramsar designated sites, including:
• Lake George - see also this site

kilometre than any other country in Africa. Uganda, roughly the same size as the UK, can boast a national list of 1008 species! This figure represents more than half the bird species that can be found in the whole of Africa. The key to Uganda’s diversity is its variety of habitats: arid semi-dessert, rich  savannahs, lowland and montane rainforests, vast wetlands, volcanoes and an Afro-alpine zone.

information on the parks, with some limited information on the birds found in each of them. Uganda's national parks reflect the extraordinary diversity of the country's natural resources: fresh water lakes, swamps, mountains, forests, woodland, rolling plains and grassland. Includes information on:
• Murchison Falls National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Bwindi National Park
• Kidepo National Park
• Mt. Rwenzori National Park
• Kidepo Valley National Park

richest faunal community in East Africa, including over 214 species of forest bird (336 species in total), 120 species of mammals (including 7 species of diurnal primate), and 202 species of butterfly (84% of the country's total). Highly significant is the presence of over one third of the world's population of mountain gorillas.

areas are fringed with dense stands of the giant sedge cyperus papyrus. This seemingly monotonous habitat in fact harbours an amazing number of bird species, and there are in fact six birds here that live only in such swamps - the so-called "papyrus endemics". The papyrus gonolek is one such bird. It has a yellow nape and crown, black wings and red breast, and long toes to allow it to grip the thick papyrus stalks.  However, you are more likely to hear its mellow plaintive calls than to see it.

contain at least 89 species of forest bird (27% of the country's total).

A report about a birding trip by means of public transport (6 sites and 2 maps). Uganda is a small country with a surprisingly high number of birdspecies: around 1000 species have been recorded in the country (see the checklist page 12). The density of species exceeds that of Kenya (one of the worlds top-birding countries). The reason for this high density of species is without doubt the magnificent rainforests of the south-west of which some are still in very good shape (The impenetrable forest (Bwindi NP.)). There are many East African rainforest species which are difficult or impossible to see in Kenya. Besides this in the west of Uganda there are a number of West African birds to be seen.

This trip report includes a detailed itinerary, including places to stay.

By José Tavares.

and Rita Carratello. This is a report of a bird & mammal watching trip to Uganda, now a safe and splendid destination for tourists. 

Factoids taken from Where to Watch Birds in Africa - by Nigel Wheatley.

for keen birders, both experienced and inexperienced. It is not necessary to be an expert or a super-lister to enjoy yourself. Our tours are designed for enthusiastic travellers who enjoy spending most, if not all, of their holiday time birding. Our goal is to get birders to the world's most amazing places, seeing the world's most amazing birds, in as much comfort as possible. Our trips range from shorter day-trips out of Cape Town to intensive three-week birding safaris throughout the continent and we offer both set departure and custom-made tours.

African birding destination. Located at the center of the continent, Uganda attracts a number of  migrants from the North and Southern Hemisphere.No Doubt Uganda is one  the richest countries in Africa for bird watching. Over 1,000 species of birds have been recorded to exist in Uganda ( with a total land area equating that of Great Britain!!) If you are a bird lover, then Uganda is the destination that will make your dream come true. Our excellent guides will add flavor to your own experience on birds. Uganda's equatorial location, combined with the altitude and the great variety of terrain types provide an overwhelming array of opportunities for keen birders. BIRDING & BEYOND SAFARIS will be happy to host you Birding in Uganda.We  are a specialized Bird watching operator in East African Safaris. Our target market circles around all categories of Bird watchers around the world. We will guide you Birding and Big Game viewing through out Uganda and provide options for extentions into neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania. Our Itineraries  are designed to to take you through the most popular bird sites in Uganda to include: Mgahinga Gorilla  forest,Bwindi Impenetrable  Forest, Rwenzori Mountains,Queen Elizabeth,  Kibale  Primate Forest, Lake Mburo ,Murchison Falls  and Mount Elgon. Our Experience is what makes us Unique!

some specialists to be the richest country for birds in Africa. Nigel Wheatley, for instance, in "Where to Watch Birds in Africa" (1995) said: "In terms of its size, Uganda is the richest country for birds in Africa." And this immense volume and diversity occurs miraculously in a space which keen birders can cover in a relatively short visit." It is only in the recent years that this enormous potential for birdwatching has been developed by the Ugandan Authorities. Special  programmes have been set up to improve birdwatching by identifying and selecting the nesting sites and by establishing special guide programs and forest trails. Magic Safaris allows adventure travelers to plan their safari and make immediate reservation via the Web.