Flora and Fauna

Uganda is well known for its rich flora and fauna. Kibale National Park, located in south-west Uganda, is one of the last remaining tropical forests in the country. The park is one of the so-called Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA). Over 350 tree species now grow within the park.

A wide variety of animal species can be found here, with over 320 bird species, four wild cat species (such as leopards and African golden cats) and 13 different primate species.

The Mabira Rainforest is located around 50 kilometres east of Kampala, north of Lake Victoria. The forest is home to numerous rare animal and plant species and a new species of monkey was discovered here in 2007. There are over 300 tree species, 280 bird species and 200 butterfly species. Numerous hiking trails and a 25 km long cycle path for mountain bikes lead through a unique forest.

The Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve is located in the south-west of Uganda in the Bushenyi District. Over 379 bird species live in these forests. There are six species of primates, including chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, guenons, vervet monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys. Nocturnal animals such as bush babies, pottos and galagos as well as over 261 species of butterflies can also be spotted here. The Kalinzu Forest Reserve is home to around 414 species of trees, 98 species of moths, flowers and reptiles.

Mgahinga National Park in south-west Uganda is home to over 76 species of mammals, including buffalo, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, black-headed duikers, bushbucks and various primates such as golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. There are about 180 bird species in the park, most of which are endemic. Special birds include the red-headed warbler, Kivu ground thrush, blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, arched robin, paradise flycatcher, western greenwing, Cape robin, Rwenzori batis, olive-headed woodpecker, yellow-headed bulbul and speckled mousebird. The park is home to a variety of primates, including golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, black-headed duikers, rodents, bush pigs, elephants, leopards, bushbucks, giant forest hogs and black and white colobus monkeys.

Bwindi Park is located in south-west Uganda, at the interface between lowland and mountain forests. It stretches over 32,000 hectares and is known for its extraordinary biodiversity with more than 160 tree species and over 100 fern species. It is also home to several species of birds and butterflies and is home to almost half of the world's mountain gorillas and many other endangered species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a biodiversity hotspot, is one of the largest areas in East Africa that still harbours lowland Afromontane forests and the largest number of tree species for its altitude in East Africa. It also harbours a rich fauna, including a number of endemic butterflies.

Photo: Rüdiger Weller