Are you a birder looking for a fantastic birding destination? Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills is a hidden gem for birding enthusiasts. The small land-locked country is home to over 700 bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley and not found anywhere in the whole of Africa. The small East African country boasts diverse bird species scattered in different parts of the county. Rwanda’s location in the Albertine Rift makes it an exceptional birding destination and a must-visit for any birder visiting Africa.
Also, Rwanda comprises varied habitats such as forests, swamps, and savannah plains which favor the habitation of different bird species. Interestingly Birding in Rwanda can be done alongside other wildlife experiences such as mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, game viewing in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Kigali city tour among others. A combination of bird watching and other wildlife experiences reward you with a complete Rwanda Safari tour. Superfine Safaris Limited offers you the ultimate guide to birding tours in Rwanda
Top Birding Destinations in Rwanda
Birds in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Located in southwestern Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a prime birding destination in Rwanda. The montane forest is home to over 300 bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Birders to Nyungwe Forest have a chance to see some rare birds such as the Red Collared babbler, Albertine Owlet, and Rockefeller’s sunbirds which are not found anywhere else in the Eastern Rift Valley side.
Other notable bird species seen in Nyungwe forest include the Ruwenzori Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Black saw wing, Regal sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, African hill Babbler, Dwarf Honeyguide, Elusive Congo Bay Owl, Red-collared Apalis, and Archers Ground Robin among others. March to May is when birds are vocal making it the best time for birding in Nyungwe Forest. If you want to see migratory birds, November to April is the best time to see them. Other interesting activities done in Nyungwe Forest include chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk, Ruwenzori Colobus monkey trekking, nature/forest walking, and waterfall hiking among others.
Places to Stay in Nyungwe Forest Park
Some of the best places to stay on your birding tour to Nyungwe Forest National Park include One and Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Hill Top View, Nyungwe Nziza eco Lodge, Mariah Hill Resort, Golden Monkey Hotel, Rwiza Village and Emeraud Kivu Resort. Accommodation services are categorized into budget, midrange, and luxury depending on the choice and budget of the traveler. Superfine Safaris helps you to book and reserve accommodation at any lodge of your preference.
Birds in Volcanoes National Park
Discover birds in Volcanoes National Park on our Rwanda birding tour. Perched in North Western Rwanda, Volcanos National Park is a prime birding destination in Rwanda hosting over 200 bird species. 17 birds are endemic to the Albertine Rift and not found anywhere else in the whole of Rwanda. The notable birds seen in Nyungwe Forest National Park include the common stonechat, Ruwenzori Double Collared sunbird, Black Crowned Waxbill, Baglafetch weaver, African Long-eared Owl, Ruwenzori Turaco, Dusky Turtle Dove, Brown Necked Parrot and handsome francolin among others.
The dry season between June to August is the best time for birding in Volcanoes National Park while November to April is the best time to see migratory birds in Volcanoes National Park. In addition to birding, travelers to Volcanoes National Park can engage in mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, visiting the twin lakes, Visiting Musanze caves, Mount Karisimbi hiking, Mount Bisoke hiking, forest walking, and visiting the Iby’iwacu cultural village. A combination of these activities offers you the best of the Rwanda tour to Volcanoes National Park
Places to stay on a birding tour in Volcanoes National Park
Wondering where to stay in Volcanoes National Park? No worries, a long list of budget, midrange, and luxury lodges have been established to offer you excellent accommodation services. Some of the top accommodations in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda include Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Davinchi Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, and Gorilla Solution Lodge among others. Superfine Safaris will help you reserve accommodation at any lodge of your choice
Birds in Akagera National Park
Spreading over 1122 square kilometers located in eastern Rwanda on the borders of Rwanda and Tanzania. Akagera National Park is yet another popular birding destination you should visit. The savannah park is home to over 480 bird species 100 of which are not found anywhere in the whole of Rwanda, Birding in Akagera Nationa Park is done all year round with each season offering a different experience.
However, migratory birds are only present from November to April. Among the notable birds to see in Akagera National Park include African Fish Eagle, Black Headed Gonolek, Sooty Chat, Marabou Stork, White Browed Coucal, Amur Falcon, Papyrus Gonolek, Booted Eagle, Ruaha Chat, Cabanins Bunting, Cretyed Baerbet, Caspian Plover, Shoebill and Double Toothed Barbet among others.
Accommodation in Akagera National Park
For night stays, Akagera National Park has both budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation facilities offering you excellent food and sleeping services. Some of the popular places to stay in Akagera Park include Akagera Game Lodge, Rusizi Tented Camp, Magashi Camp, Karenge Tented Camp, Dereva Hotel, and Lake Shakani Campsite among others
Other Activities to do in Rwanda
In addition to birding tours, Rwanda offers a variety of add-on activities that reward you with lifetime experiences. Some of the other popular activities done in Rwanda include
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Do not miss trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park located in eastern Rwanda. The park is one of the four parks that shelter the endangered gorillas in the world. Rwanda Development Board together with African Parks has habituated 10 gorilla families to ease gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda offers luxury gorilla tours at $1500 per permit. The gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include Agashya Gorilla Family, Kwitonda Family, Umubano Family, Karisimbi Family, Sabyinyo family, Hirwa family, Tutus Family, Pablo family, Susa A, and Amahoro gorilla. Each gorilla family is visited by 8 people per day
Golden Monkey Trekking
A trek to meet the playful golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park is another interesting activity in Rwanda. The endangered primates also live in Volcanoes National Park and are habituated for trekking at $100 per permit.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest located in southwestern Rwanda. A trek to see the endangered chimpanzees is ranked second to gorilla trekking in rewarding travelers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Chimpanzees share over 98% of human genes which makes them man’s close relatives.
Game viewing
Guided game drives in the savannah plains of Akagera National Park offer you great views of wild animals grazing, hunting, and browsing, Akagera National Park shelters the “big five” Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalo, Leopards, Antelopes, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Giraffes, and hyenas among others. Early morning and evening hours is the best time for game viewing in Akagera National Park.
Other birding places in Rwanda include Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Rugezi Marsh
Planning Your Birding Safari in Rwanda
Planning a birding safari in Rwanda requires proper and timely planning. Booking through a registered tours and travel company is the best way to book your Rwanda birding tour. Superfine Safaris Limited is one of the trusted agents to book a Rwanda birding safari
