Best time for Birdwatching in Rwanda

Are you seeking information on birding in Rwanda? So, read on! When people think of Rwanda, they think of the mountain gorillas, the rolling hills, or the country’s extraordinary rehabilitation from the horrors of the 1994 genocide. Rwanda has never been regarded as a top birding country. This is due in part to the fact that gorilla tourism has surpassed avitourism in popularity. Birdwatching and other pursuits, such as sport fishing, continue to receive little publicity in Rwanda. Best time for Birdwatching in Rwanda

Rwanda stands out as a superb birding destination due to its diverse bird habitats. These include mountains, montane forests, grasslands, plains, enormous wetlands, rivers, lakes, and, of course, rolling hills. Rwanda has well-developed road networks and clean, safe towns. Birdwatching in Uganda may be more popular, but Rwanda has better infrastructure (roads and bird paths). Because of her small size, she can easily cover the country in a shorter period of time than Kenya or Tanzania. Rwanda has few indigenous bird species; however, approximately 44 are found only in the Albertine Rift.

What is the ideal time to go birding in Rwanda?

Birdwatching in Rwanda is possible throughout the year, however certain months provide ideal circumstances for birders. It is worth noting that Rwanda has two primary rainy and dry seasons. The months of December and January are ideal for birding in Rwanda. These are the dry months, and they are special because multitudes of migrating birds visit the country to escape the harsh winter conditions in Europe and the Arctic. Best time for Birdwatching in Rwanda.

Important Birding Areas in Rwanda

Rwanda has seven main birding habitats spread over four national parks, including Nyungwe, Akagera, and Volcanoes National Park. Let’s discuss these birding areas in greater detail: –

Kigali City

East African countries offer amazing birdwatching opportunities. In Rwanda and Uganda, birdwatching can begin as soon as you leave the airport or even in the larger cities. Urban birding in Kigali is ideal for people with limited time to explore the countryside or visit big national parks. When visiting Kigali, you will be astonished by the number of birding opportunities available. Birding in Kigali can begin in the hotel gardens, but visiting Lak Nyarutarama, which borders the main golf course in Kigali, would be a better option.

The Rwandan government has lately constructed a big park as one exits the city center, which is becoming increasingly popular among birders. Visit the Nyabarongo wetland to see tiny egrets, spur-winged geese, squacco turacos, and yellow-billed storks. Mount Kigali is also a great birding location in Rwanda. Red-chested cuckoos, African paradise, and southern black flycatchers are among the many species seen here.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park is Africa’s largest and oldest montane forest. There are around 300 bird species present in the forest. Bigugu Mountain in the forest is one of the best places to see birds graze on the tree canopies. One can also leave the forest and visit the Gisakura tea estate, which is a favorite of the birds. The Red-collared Babbler is one of the most popular and appealing birds in Nyungwe National Park.

Nyungwe forest is also home to the Albertine owlet, Blue-headed sunbird, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Handsome spur fowls, Neumann’s Warbler, Breasted Sunbirds, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori Turaco, and Red-collared babblers, among others. The ideal method to experience this forest is to walk or bike through a segment of the Congo Nile route that runs through it, or to use one of the well-developed forest trails that connect the various sections of the forest. Taking a canopy walk is another option to explore the environment and discover birds.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is made up of lakes, wetlands, rolling hills, and savannah, all of which attract 310 different bird species. The park is located in the north-east of the country, close to the Tanzanian border. The best birding opportunities are found around Lake Ihema, its islands, marshes, and wetlands. A boat ride on Lake Ihema is an effective way to view birds in the park, but birding safaris in Rwanda usually take place in the morning and evening. The morning sessions are undoubtedly the most enjoyable because there is so much bird activity. Best time for Birdwatching in Rwanda. The Red-faced Barbet is the most prevalent species in the park, although Akagera also supports the rare papyrus Ganolex.

It is also worth noting that Akagera National Park is possibly Africa’s greatest place to see the elusive Ring-necked Francolins. Other fascinating species to look out for on your safari in Akagera National Park include Carruthers’ Cisticola, Grey-crowned Cranes, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, White-collared Oliveback, and White-Winged Swamp Warbler. The African Starling is probably the most attractive bird in Akagera.

We should not forget that the elusive Shoebill stork lives here, but spotting them takes time and patience. The best time to go birdwatching in Akagera is during the dry season (May to September).

Volcanoes National Park

This park is well known for gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, and hiking one of the mountains, such as Karisimbi. However, this does not negate the fact that it is one of Rwanda’s top birding spots. The park contains over 200 species. 27 of them can only be seen in Rwanda, while 16 are endemic to the volcanoes of the Virunga mountain range. Look for the following species: Archer’s ground robin, Cinnamon bracken warbler, Grauer’s rush warbler, Rwenzori batis, White-tailed blue-flycatcher, and Black and white manikin. The Volcanoes National Park is flanked by Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Congo.

Gishwati–Mukura National Park

This is Rwanda’s newest national park, located in Northwestern Rwanda. Even before it became a national park, Gishwati was recognized as Rwanda’s top birding destination, with 395 species to choose from. Some of them are the Martial Eagle, Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Red-throated Alethe, Regal Sunbirds, Ruwenzori Batis, Ruwenzori Turaco, Strange Weaver, Stripe-breasted Tit, and Grey Crowned Crane. The majority of the species live in forests or are found only in the Albertine Rift. There are even individuals who migrate from Congo for the majority of the year.