827 individuals across Uganda's major water bodies — Murchison Falls (354) and Kazinga Channel (281) hold the largest concentrations of Africa's biggest cormorant
Standing up to a metre tall with a wingspan approaching 1.5 metres, the Greater Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is the largest cormorant species in the world and the dominant large diving bird at Uganda's major water bodies. With 827 individuals recorded across the national monitoring network — the largest concentrations at Murchison Falls (354) and Kazinga Channel (281) — the species provides a compelling reason to visit both of Uganda's most famous national parks with binoculars in hand.
Murchison Falls National Park, in northwestern Uganda, is where the Victoria Nile — flowing north from Lake Victoria — squeezes through a narrow rock cleft just 7 metres wide before plunging 43 metres into the Nile below. This combination of concentrated fish prey below the falls and the productive shallow margins of the Victoria Nile and adjacent Lake Albert delta creates exceptional conditions for large piscivorous waterbirds. Greater Cormorant, African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron and Great White Pelican all use this stretch of river in numbers unmatched elsewhere in Uganda.
The 354 Greater Cormorants recorded at Murchison represent 43% of the national total, reflecting the site's exceptional productivity. During eight personal visits that included time at Murchison Falls, the concentration of large waterbirds along the Victoria Nile boat stretch — from Paraa to the base of the falls — was consistently among the most impressive wildlife spectacles encountered in East Africa. The combination of frequent hippo wallows, Nile crocodiles, large herons and cormorant roosts in the riverside trees makes this one of the continent's great wildlife river journeys.
Kazinga Channel connects Lake Edward to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park, creating a continuous 32-kilometre waterway that concentrates waterbirds, hippos and other aquatic wildlife in extraordinary density. The 281 Greater Cormorants recorded here represent one of the densest concentrations of the species in East Africa, and the channel's productive shallows and lack of intense fishing pressure allow large numbers of birds to forage undisturbed.
The daily boat trip along Kazinga Channel, departing from the Mweya Peninsula, passes roosting Greater Cormorant colonies at several points — typically large groups of 20–50 birds perched in dead lakeside trees, interspersed with African Darters in the same characteristic wing-drying posture. Unlike the Long-tailed Cormorant, which tends to forage singly or in small groups, Greater Cormorants at Kazinga often form coordinated fishing groups — lines of birds that drive fish into shallow water before diving simultaneously.
The Greater Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is the world's most widely distributed cormorant species, found across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. The African population (subspecies lucidus) is distinguished from the European form by a more extensive white face and throat patch that persists year-round rather than only in breeding season — making identification straightforward in Uganda where the white face contrasts sharply against the otherwise jet-black plumage.
In breeding plumage, Greater Cormorants also show white thigh patches — striking white flashes visible when the bird stands with wings spread. The eye is emerald green, the gular (throat) pouch yellow-orange. The bill is long, powerful and strongly hooked — capable of gripping and controlling large, struggling fish. Adults weigh 1.5–2.5 kilograms and can take fish up to 30 centimetres in length, diving to depths of 4–8 metres for periods of up to 45 seconds.
The species is classified as Least Concern globally by IUCN, with populations across Africa stable or increasing at most monitored sites. In Uganda, unlike in some European fishery contexts, there is no formal persecution programme, and the species benefits from the protection afforded by the national parks where its largest concentrations occur.
Boat trip from Paraa to the base of the falls. 354 cormorants. Hippos, crocodiles, African Fish Eagle. Morning departure recommended.
Daily boat trips from Mweya Peninsula. 281 cormorants. African Darter, Goliath Heron, hippos. One of Africa's great wildlife boat trips.
Smaller numbers but regularly encountered at Nakiwogo and Lutembe Bay. Often seen perched on buoys or papyrus alongside Long-tailed Cormorant.
The waterbird monitoring network recorded 827 Greater Cormorant individuals. The largest concentrations were at Murchison Falls (354 individuals) and Kazinga Channel (281 individuals), with smaller numbers at additional sites including Lake Victoria.
Greater Cormorant is significantly larger (up to 100 cm, 2.5 kg) vs Long-tailed Cormorant (55 cm, 700g). Adults show a white face patch and white thigh patches in breeding plumage. Both species dive for fish and dry their wings after swimming.
Murchison Falls National Park is the top site (354 individuals), followed by Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth NP (281 individuals). The daily boat trips at both parks provide reliable, close-range views.
Cormorants lack fully waterproofed feathers — their wettable plumage makes them more hydrodynamic underwater but means feathers become waterlogged after diving. They dry their wings in the characteristic spread posture before their next dive. Both Greater and Long-tailed Cormorants show this behaviour.
The Greater Cormorant is classified as Least Concern by IUCN. Populations at most African sites are stable or increasing. In Uganda, the species is protected under the Wildlife Act and benefits from large protected-area populations at Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NP.
Murchison Falls and Kazinga Channel boat trips are two of East Africa's most rewarding wildlife experiences — and both put you in close proximity to Uganda's largest Greater Cormorant concentrations.
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