BIRD WATCHING IN RWANDA
Birdwatching in Rwanda is yet another rewarding experience for travelers visiting On a Rwanda Birding Safari. Rwanda offers its visitors with a variety of birds of up to 750 species! which we find intriguing for a Country this small. Birding in Rwanda is an exhilarating experience and is less strenuous compared other Birding safari Destinations in East Africa.
Rwanda’s Bird habitats are remarkably diverse and include, majorly, the Albertine Rift montane forests in the western region, and the grassland plains and swamps along the eastern border. There are also numerous swamps, rivers, wetlands, and lakes scattered through the grassy hills of the central region and across Rwanda.
Though there are no birds endemic exclusively to Rwanda, it accounts for most of the Albertine Rift endemic species (44), 27 of which are found in Nyungwe Forest alone.
The breathtaking landscape of terraced hills and misty volcanoes inhabited by such rare and amazing wildlife as the Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, and several primates make Rwanda a must visit.
BEST TIME TO GO BIRD WATCHING IN RWANDA
Birding watching in Rwanda is all year round!. However, the best time to go birdwatching In Rwanda is December to February a period when Rwanda hosts lots of Wintering and Palearctic migrant Bird species.
Rwanda’s’ infrastructure such as trails, accommodation, and roads leading to Rwanda’s Prime birding watching spots are fairly developed and are complemented by a team of highly trained site guides available to both individual travelers or visitors on an organized Rwanda Birding Safari.
BEST PLACES TO GO BIRD WATCHING IN RWANDA
Birdwatching in Kigali City
Kigali is the capital, and entry point into Rwanda via the Kigali International Airport for all travelers visiting Rwanda on a Rwanda Safari whether to see mountain gorillas or to go on an organized Rwanda Birding Safari. Kigali city has a number of places visitors can go for a Rwanda city birding experience within Kigali city – what better way to start your Rwanda Birding Safari with Realm Africa Safaris.
Interested in Birding in Kigali City?
- > Best Birding Spots in Kigali City.
- > Kigali City Birding Tours.
Bird Watching in Volcanoes NP
Volcanoes NP protects Rwanda’s section of the Great Virunga Mountain Range and includes five (05) Volcanoes namely Muhavura, Gahinga, Sabinyo, Bisoke, and Karisimbi. Volcanoes NP though majorly famous for the Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking is also home to over 165 bird species, with 17 being endemic to the area. Volcanoes National Park, for this reason, remains Rwanda’s Prime Safari for Gorilla trekking and Bird Watching in Rwanda.
Interested in Bird watching in Volcanoes National Park?
- > Best time to go birding in Volcanoes National Park.
- > Volcanoes Birding Safari – Tours.
Bird Watching in Nyungwe Forest NP
Nyungwe Forest is the most popular birding destination in Rwanda, and is home and is home to over 310 species of bird species – 27 being Albertine Rift endemics.
Some of Nyungwe’s specials include; Regal Sunbird, Red-collared Babbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Spurfowl, Rwenzori Batis, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, Albertine Owlet.
Interested in Bird Watching in Nyungwe Forest NP?
- > Best time to go Birdwatching in Nyungwe Forest.
- > Nyungwe Forest Birding Safaris & Tours.
Birdwatching in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park lies in the northeast of the Rwanda, outside the high rising Albertine belt. It covers a chunk of the savannah. A mix of rolling grassland interspersed with broad-leafed and acacia woodland, these lower-lying lands are dissected by the Akagera River.
Out of over 525 species, some of the most sought-after birds of Akagera are: Red-faced Barbet, Sousa’s Shrike, White-collared Oliveback.
The park has a mosaic of wetlands and lakes, along with the course of the Akagera River and the eastern boundary. Some of the sought-after species in the wetland areas include; Carruther’s Cisticola, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek and the Shoebill.
Interested in Birdwatching in Akagera National Park?
- > Best time to go birdwatching in Akagera National Park.
- > Akagera Birding Safaris & Tours.
Wetlands and Marshes
Rwanda’s wetlands and marshes cover 10% of the country. The main protected ones include Rugezi, Akanyaru and Nyabarongo Wetlands where many waders and water species can be observed.
