Bird Watching in Rwanda – Where to go, When to go birding in Rwanda and more tour Guide
Bird watching in Rwanda is a unique lifestyle not only about observing birds in their natural habitats but also wondering at nature and its wildlife. Birding has become a strong conservation tool as well as transforming countries into Eco tourism destinations and Rwanda is no spare destination for birders and nature lovers being strategically located in the Albertine rift valley floor boosts ecosystems and habitats provide that are a home to an alluring list of over 700 species including 27 Albertine rift endemic species.
In addition to the localized species, good timing will let birders encounter cool migratory birds including the Trans-African, pale arctic and Eurasian migrant birds. You will for sure be enjoying some group nature walks at local campsites, trails or visiting Rwanda’s seven important birding areas (IBA) including three national parks and designated ramsar sites with well established trails leading to bird watching hot spots.
The best time to see migratory birds is during December to February when the rains are quite much but rewarding with species you cannot see during the normal tourist seasons.
Where to Go Birding In Rwanda
Wetlands and bogged marshes
Rwanda has 10 % of its total surface area covered by wetlands and marshes to include Rugezi swamps, cyamudongo, Akanyaru and Nyabarongo. These boosts swamp dwelling and water loving birds including Albertine rift endemics. Birders will see shoreline dwelling birds commonly called waders. These long legged species include grey headed herons, saddle billed stork, lapwings and sand pipers, egrets, birds of ill omen such as hammerkop , ducks, cormorants, geese and swans.
Akagera National Park
Akagera boosts varied habitats including Africa’s largest protected wetland systems, swamp fringed lakes, savannahs forming home to the pre-historic looking shoebill stork and the papyrus Gonelock. Other notable species include African fish eagle, broad tailed warblers, red faced barbets, white headed chats, Bennet’s woodpecker among others.
Birder to Akagera are guaranteed sightings of these rare bird species along with big game mammals such as giraffes, zebras, elephants, buffalos, hyenas and antelopes including the toe webbed and swamp dwelling sitatungas.
Whether your dream is to photograph, record sounds of bird calls, see birds in plumage and breeding or you are a just a normal bird watcher, expert bird guides are ever present to make you realize your dream. A supporting cast of campsites, lodges and hotels are situated within and outside birding spots. All you need is to have equipment such as binoculars, telescopes, field guide books and audio recorders plus warm clothing and packed meals.
Nyungwe forest national park
Expert Bird watching trips in the southwestern side of Rwanda to include Nyungwe forest national park will routinely notch up an incredible list of over 200 species in a week.
Nyungwe forest national park covers about 1000 sq km of pristine natural rainforests mixed up with bogged wetlands; swamps and savannahs boosts a list of 300 species of these 27 are endemic to the Albertine rift region. A number of 13 hiking trails give access to scenic valleys, hills and mountains full of birds. In addition to the tarmac road that passes through the middle of the forest is the best to encounter rare forest and Albertine rift endemic species.
Nyungwe forest has 13 species of primates and while birding several of them can be seen including the largest troop of 400 Colobus monkeys and other mammals.
Some expert birders have seen though not confirmed some of the eastern Congo forest limit species such as the Congo peacock, Congo bay owl and Rockefeller’s sunbirds perhaps a lot is still undiscovered. Keen birders in Nyungwe forest are guaranteed special sightings of handsome francolin, mountain masked Apalis, and stripe breasted tit, regal sunbirds, Rwenzori Turaco and Archer’s robin chat.
Birding trips in Nyungwe forest usually start from the Uwinka visitors centre and lead to the Gisakura forest where there is a guest house and Rwandan development campsite. Possible sightings include dusky crimson wing, Rwenzori night jars, Lagden’s bush shrikes, white bellied robin chat, the Albertine owlet, the unattentive great blue turaco among others.
Birding in Volcanoes national park and Buhanga eco-park
In the northwest of Rwanda bird life is prolific in volcanoes national park with a list of over 178 species. The park is also a home to the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Although most tourists to volcanoes national park trek gorillas, there is also a package offer of birding to Buhanga forest eco-park with a list of 100 species.
Volcanoes national is much dominated by bamboo and rainforests where gorillas and golden monkeys like to stay as well as mammals such as buffalos, elephants, worth hogs; hyenas can be seen for lucky birders.
The birding trip to Buhanga eco-park is extended to include the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Visitors are likely to see the uncommon Trans-African migrant the African Pitta. Other species include weavers and cisticolas.
Birders can as well hike the stunning three volcanic mountains of Karisimbi the highest peak at 4,507 meters above sea level, Bisoke at 3,700 meters and Muhavura at 4,127 meters above sea level. These offer amazing virunga views along with bush camping on mount karisimbi.
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Birding in Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one hour drive from volcanoes national park, birders will take boat trips to explore the beautiful uninhabited forested islands along water bird encounters such as cormorants, fish eagles and kingfishers. In addition the ale side towns of Gisenyi, kibuye and karongi have local markets, resorts and after your lunch come back to the sandy beaches for sunbathing.
Birding in Kigali city
Driving back to Kigali city at the Lake Nyarutarama located near the golf course resort, birders can take nature walks around the lake to see the winding cisticola, sedge warbler, African spoonbill, swallows, the colorful yellow billed stork and many more. Birding trips around Kigali make a good perfect gate a way for your evening flight schedules.
Birding in Giswati forest reserve
Giswati forest reserve is located in northwest side of Rwanda in the Albertine rift valley with a list of 100 species of birds. The forests are rich in biodiversity with species of flora and fauna such as chimpanzees, mountain monkeys and other mammals such as bush pigs, warthogs.
Plans are underway to turn Giswati into a full national park hence tourist facilities are being set up and will enable birders and nature lovers track chimps and see birds.
Species likely to be seen include martial eagles, warblers, pied wagtails, great blue turacos among others.
Best Time to Go Birding In Rwanda
Bird watching is done all year round in Rwanda. But the good time to see birds in their plumage and breeding is December to February. This also the time when migratory birds come to Rwanda’s varied range of habitats especially Eurasian and pele-aractic migrants.
Rwandan development board has knowledgeable guides; it has also developed several birding infrastructure such as nature walking trails, campsites, watch towers and canopy walks in Nyungwe forest. Contact the Rwandan development board for booking.