On this Uganda trip, raptors were one of our main target groups, alongside kingfishers. Even in Singapore, vultures occasionally appear as rare vagrants from the Eurasian continent, sometimes only once every few years.
When that happens, the excitement is immense. On one such occasion, more than 100 birders gathered at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to witness a single vulture. Moments like that show just how powerful the presence of these birds can be.
First Vulture Encounter in Africa
This trip marked our first-ever observation of African vultures.
The encounter took place at Lake Mburo National Park, at around 8:00 a.m., during a morning game drive.
As we slowly drove through the park, we noticed a large raptor perched on a dead tree. When we carefully repositioned the vehicle for a better view, the identity became clear — it was a Lappet-faced Vulture.
An Iconic Silhouette
Even from a distance, the bird’s size was immediately obvious. It appeared to be around one meter tall, making it impossible to overlook. The massive head, heavy bill, and overall posture perfectly matched the classic image of “a vulture.”
Seeing such an iconic scavenger in its natural African setting was deeply satisfying. It felt like encountering the vulture — exactly as one imagines it — and it quickly became one of the most memorable raptor moments of our Uganda journey.