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MOUNT
MOROTO NATIONA PARK
WMount Moroto lies in the north east
Uganda in the Karamoja region and
its one of a chain of volcanoes along
the border with Kenya that begins
with Mount Elgon in that south and
includes Mount Kadam and Mount 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.
The mountain is between 920-3084m
above sea level is a Forest Reserve
and public land cover 483 square kilometers
excluding the surrounding areas. It
has over 225 bird species and tree
varieties like Dry Combretum and Acacia
savanna, dry montane forest. It is
ideal for visiting throughout the
year and the safari typically takes
1 to 2 days.
Bird species
Moroto is a home to several species
not known somewhere else in Uganda
and has more in common with similar
areas in north-western Kenya and include
Jackson's Hornbill, Hemp Rich's Hornbill,
Stone Partridge, Black-headed Plover,
White-bellied Go-away Bird, 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 and many
others.
Mammal species
Moroto does not have a lot of animals
but inhabitants include Monkey or
the amazing Golden Cat and Potos.
There is widespread hunting in the
reserve using automatic weapons and
dogs, and most large mammals have
been hunted to extinction.
Lake Opeta and Lake Bisina extending
from Kyoga system on the eastern side
are the only sites for Uganda's only
widespread bird, the Fox's Weaver.
With no facilities at present, the
lakes can be toured en route from
Mount Elgon to Moroto or visited for
a day from Soroti or Mbale. Of the
two lakes, Bisina is easily reached
taking good murram road which branches
to the north off the main Mbale-Soroti
road at Kapiri, 20km southeast of
Soroti. Moving along this road to
the lake end, a local fisherman will
guide you across to the northwestern
corner where a camp of Fox's Weavers
nest in the waterside vegetation can
be found. Their numbers are high in
March and April but relative numbers
can be look at throughout the year.
The silent water areas host African
Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana and Shoebill
which are often seen at the extensive
papyrus edge.
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 can
be seen on the thick thorn savanna
around the T-junction with the Mbale
road 11 km from the town. Continue
south from the junction for 5 km and
see the dark chanting Goshawk, Yellow-necked
Spur fowl, Crested Bustard and the
smart Black-headed Plover at the roadside
where Plovers and Temminck's Courser
are seen on the airstrip closer near
the town. D'Arnaud's Barbet pairs
engaged in their bizarre tail-wagging
duets are also regular around here.
Open your ears with awareness for
the unique sound of Pebbles being
struck together that may tell that
the Grey Wren Warbler is present.
Moroto Conservation
There are 3 communities living on
Mount Moroto slopes. The Tepeth people
are the largest and most known population,
the Kraals are scattered on the lower
slopes and the Karimajong on the lower
plains. They grow crops, rear domestic
animals and rely on the forest for
much of their essential needs like
firewood, building poles and medicine
(including the stimulant leaf locally
called 'mairungi').
ATTRACTIONS OUTSIDE THE PARK
On the road to Soroti from Moroto
that crosses the Bokora Game Reserve
50 km from town and the dry thorn
bush at the roadside, you can watch
Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Mouse-Colorado
Penduline Tit, Northern White-crowned
Shrike, fine-looking 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 specie in Uganda,
is known from arid scrub at the roadside
between Kangole and Iriri villages
about 30 to 65km from Moroto. From
Mbale to Moroto using the eastern
route is an amazing road for bird
watching. Subsequently the area between
Nakapiripit and Moroto is superlative
for watching the pygmy falcon, Jackson's
Hornbill and White- headed Buffalo
Weaver which is regularly observable
on the roadside although a fair selection
of dry country " specials"
may be found a mere 25km north of
the Kapchorwa turnoff.
ACCOMMODATION
- Moroto Hotel on the edge of town
has good roods and meals.
- There also other descent hotels
on the main road.
- Restaurants serve local foods and
basic provisions are obtainable from
several sellers.
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