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MOUNT MOROTO
Mount Moroto Lies in the
extreme east of Uganda and is the most accessible place to see
some of the dry northeastern " special ", many at the western
edge of their ranges here in Karamoja province. One of a chain
of volcanoes along the Kenyan border that begins with Mount
Elgon in south and includes Mountains Kadam and Morungole,
Moroto is a forest reserve protecting a range of habitats from
arid thorn savanna to dry montane forest. Although a long hike
is required to reach the higher areas, excellent arid thorn
savanna and rocky slopes are accessible from the town at the
foot of the mountain.
ABOUT THE PARK
Province : Moroto.
Elevation : 920-3084m
above sea level.
Size : 483 km excluding
surrounding areas.
Habitat : Dry Combretum
and Acacia savanna, dry montane forest.
Status : Forest Reserve
and public land.
Birds : 225 species.
Timing : All year round.
Time Required: 1-2 days
Key Species of Birds
Stone Partridge,
Black-headed Plover, White-bellied Go-away Bird, Jackson's
Hornbill, Hemp Rich’s Hornbill, handsome Silver bird,
Grey-headed and Pygmy Batises, Bristle-crowned and Superb
Starlings, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, White-headed Buffalo
Weaver, Purple Grenadier and Straw-tailed Whydah, African
Grey-Fly-catcher. .
BIRD WATCHING
Lake Bisina and Lake Opeta
from an eastern extension of Kyoga system and are included as
sites for Uganda's only endemic bird, Fox's Weaver.
Although no facilities are
present, the lakes can be covered enroute from Mount Elgon to
Moroto or visited for a day from a base in Mbale or Soroti.
Lake Bisina is more
accessible of the two and is easily reached on a good dirt road
that branches north off the main Mbale-Soroti road at Kapiri,
20km southeast of Soroti. Continue along this road to the lake
edge and arrange with a local fisherman to take you across to
the northwestern corner where a colony of Fox's Weavers nest in
the waterside vegetation.
Numbers peak in March and
April but there are at least a few present year-round. Quiet
areas of water lilies support African Pygmy Goose and Lesser
Jacana and Shoebill is fairly frequently seen at the edge of the
extensive papyrus.
The dense thorn savanna
around the T-junction with the Mbale road 11 km from town
supports White-bellied Go-away Bird, Jackson's Hornbill,
Fawn-colored Lark, African Grey Flycatcher, the handsome Silver
bird, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Mouse-colored Penduline Tit,
Pygmy Batis, Brubru and Eastern Vilet-backed Sunbird. Drive
south from the junction for 5 km, watching for Dark Chanting
Goshawk, Yellow-necked Spur fowl, Crested Bustard and the smart
Black-headed Plover at the roadside. The Plovers and Temminck's
Courser may also be seen on the airstrip closer to town. Pairs
of D'Arnaud's Barbet are frequently seen engaged in their
bizarre tail-wagging duets. Listen for the distinctive sound of
Pebbles being struck together that may reveal the presence of
the Grey Wren Warbler....
OTHER WILD LIFE
Other wildlife is not
plentiful in the Moroto area but may include Potos, Monkey or
the spectacular Golden Cat.
ACCESS
Moroto can be reached from
Mbale either via Soroti (90 km tarmarc, or 170 km 2 WD dirt,
drive time required 6 hours ) or via the direct eastern route (
230 km. 2 WD dirt, drive time required 7 hours ). There is good
birding along both routes . To reach the Seminary from Moroto,
turn right at the first roundabout in town and continue around
the base of the mountain for 7.5 km.
ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
The Moroto Hotel on the
edge of town has double rooms for $ 50 person, although there
are two more basic yet clean hotels on the main road .
Restaurants serve local
foods and basic provisions are available from numerous stores.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS OUTSIDE
THE PARK
The road from Moroto to
Soroti crosses the Bokora Game Reserve 50 km from town and dry
thorn bush at the roadside supports, Yellow-necked Spurfowl,
Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit, Northern White-crowned Shrike,
Beautiful Sunbird and Grey-capped Social Weaver. Pink-breasted
Lark favours the arid Acacia savanna in this area. Hartlaub's
Bustard has been described as "
common on the Bokora Plains
".and Red-fronted Warbler, a scarce species in Uganda, is known
from arid scrub at the roadside between Kangole and Iriri
villages ( 30 -65km from Moroto ).
The direct eastern route
from Mbale to Moroto is an excellent birding road although the
journey takes longer than via Soroti. The stretch between Nakapiripit and
Moroto is particularly good with Pygmy Falcon, Jackson's
Hornbill and White- headed Buffalo Weaver common at the roadside
although a fair selection of dry country " specials" may be
found a mere 25km north of the Kapchorwa turnoff.
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