Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park Birding Tour

Mount Elgon National Park is a jewel of the Western Kenya birdwatching circuit, which also includes Kakamega Forest, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Busia Grasslands, Lake Victoria, Kongelai Escarpment, and the Cherangani Hills. Together, these areas form one of the richest birding regions in East Africa.

The park encompasses a fascinating mix of habitats—montane forest, bamboo zones, wooded grassland, and alpine moorland—spread across the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon, Kenya’s second-highest mountain. Rising dramatically above the surrounding plains, Mount Elgon straddles the Kenya–Uganda border, offering exceptional birdwatching opportunities with species found nowhere else in the country.

Geologically, the mountain is an ancient, eroded volcano with a vast caldera at its summit and the striking flat-topped basalt pillar of Koitobos. Another remarkable feature is the network of lava tube caves, some over 60 meters wide, famously visited at night by elephants and other mammals digging for mineral-rich salts.

Birders visiting Mount Elgon will encounter a wide variety of highland and forest species, many shared with Uganda’s Albertine Rift region. The park plays a vital role as a water catchment, feeding both the Nzoia River (flowing into Lake Victoria) and the Turkwel River (flowing into Lake Turkana). With its diverse habitats, high rainfall (about 1,200 mm annually on the mid-slopes), and unique ecosystems, Mount Elgon is a must-visit for those seeking an authentic birding adventure in western Kenya.

Notable Birds in Mount Elgon National Park

Birding in Mount Elgon National Park is done while walking in assigned places, starting at  Chorlim Gate, and going thoroughly to Kitum caves which helps in learning various aspect of bird identification . Birding in Elgon commences at Kapkuro Cottages grounds, while here look for the much-sought-after Red-chested Owlet, which may be heard calling from the top of the trees. In Rongai Campsite in the old tall trees, you will be greeted by preening Sharpe’s Starling , Narina Trogon busy singing from the adjacent trees, and the big  fruiting fig tree, the Yellow-spotted Barbet and Yellow-billed Barbet may be seen foraging on the ripe fruits while loudly singing.  Along the trails in the stinging nettle bushes keep an eye for the  eccentric and uncommon Oriole Finch. The birdwatching tour in Mount Elgon takes place at a relaxed and comfortable walking pace, which helps to learn various aspects of bird identification. Mount Elgon National Park is home to 305 species of birds most of which are only found; Jackson’s and Moorland Francolins, endemic to Kenya,  Hartlaub’s Turaco, Black-collared Apalis, and Streaky-headed Seedeater, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Yellowbill, Spotted Creeper, African Emerald Cuckoo, Ross’s Turaco, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Plain Nightjar, Sabine’s Spinetail, Buff-spotted Flufftail, Western-banded Snake Eagle,  Bat Hawk, Crowned Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, Red-chested Owlet, Forest Wood-hoopoe, Pallid Honeyguide, Red-throated Wryneck, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Grey-throated Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Woodpecker, Grey –Cuckooshrike, Black-headed Batis, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Yellow-billed Shrike, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Blue-crested Flycatcher, Dusky Tit, and Chubb’s Cisticola. In Mount Elgon, the rare and endangered  Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier may be seen flying high in the sky.