Abstract:
Uganda is particularly rich in biodiversity, having recorded more than half of Africa’s birds for
instance, despite being a small area of the continent. This is because several major African biomes
meet in this country and contain different fauna and flora from the continent. It is also because of
the large altitude range found here from 5,100 metres a.s.l in the Rwenzori Massif down to 500-
600m in the north of the country. The mountains and forests of the western Rift Valley or Albertine
Rift are particularly rich in vertebrates and this ecoregion contains more endemic and threatened
vertebrates than any other part of Africa. Mountains in the east along the Kenya border also contain
unique species, particularly Mt Elgon but also Mt Moroto, and other mountains/hills in Karamoja.