AFROTROPICAL
Tropical & Subtropical
Moist Broadleaf Forest
(Rainforest)
The rainforest of Africa spans from the west coast of the continent to the east, and includes such iconic mammals as chimpanzees and gorillas, and beautiful birds such as Turacos...
For the page on the plants of the African rainforest
(Bwindi, Uganda)Class Crustacea
(Nature's Valley)Potamonautes is the most common, widespread and speciose genus of freshwater crab in Africa, with over 60 species. They are sometimes seen in rainforest creeks.
Class Insecta
Order Neuroptera: Lacewings
(Ruboni, Uganda)?Lacewing.
'Reptiles'
Order Squamata: Lizards & Snakes
Family Chameleonidae
(Bwindi, Uganda)Even though most people associate chameleons with only Madagascar, but they can be quite common (and are speciose) in the African forest, even on the edge in agricultural land. However, they are hard for a visitor's eye to find, so you may have to ask a local or go with a guide to find them.
(Rwenzori, Uganda)Trioceros bitaeniatus, 'Side-striped Chameleon', (Rwenzori, Uganda). Central & eastern Africa.
(Rwenzori, Uganda)Trioceros johnstoni, 'Rwenzori/Johnston's Three-horned Chameleon'. Restricted distribution, endemic to the higher altitude forests of the Albertine Rift in Uganda, DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.
Suborder Serpentes: Snakes
Family Viperidae
Found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, and absent from many islands.
(road kill, Uganda)Atheris nitschei, 'Great Lakes Bush Viper'. Large and long, up to 80 cm. Venomous, the bite causing haemorrhaging. Found in forests, forest edge, and wetlands at higher altitude around Albertine Rift region in eastern Africa.
For the page on the non-passerine birds of the African rainforest
(Entebbe, Uganda)For the page on the passerine birds of the African rainforest
(Bwindi)For the page on the
mammals (including primates) of the African rainforest
Places to enjoy the African rainforest
Being Africa, there are lots of national parks and lodges to enjoy. One of the most famous is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda where you can track gorillas through the rainforest. Isunga Lodge, Kibale, Uganda is a beautiful lodge to stay at right on the edge of the national park, with great views and birding right in the gardens. Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda gives a taste of upland mountain rainforest and a cheap place to stay is Ruboni Camp. Further south into the subtropical area and you can enjoy the cooler rainforest of South Africa along the Garden Route.