Best Bird Watching Destinations in Rwanda

Best bird watching destinations in Rwanda. Rwanda is a top ecotourism destination in Africa, offering excellent road systems, security, and diverse habitats for birdwatching. With 703 bird species since November 2018, Rwanda offers a variety of birding locations, including Lake Victoria Basin Endendemics and 29 Albertine Rift Endendemics. Birdwatchers can find great birding in various locations, including near Kigali, ensuring a diverse and rewarding experience.

Best bird watching destinations in Rwanda, In addition to 322 bird species, 13 primate species, and many endemic plant species, Nyungwe National Park has a tropical highland rainforest. 29 different bird species have been discovered here thus far. The Red-collared Babbler is without a doubt the main draw, and Rwanda is the only secure location to view this magnificent species. Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Grauer’s Warbler, Regal, Blue-headed, and Purple are some of their other specialties.

Akagera National Park, an African Big 5 safari experience, features a savannah park with 490 bird species, including the rarest species like the Congo Bay Owl and Albertine Owlet. Night hikes are planned to help locate these secretive nocturnal animals, offering a unique African Big 5 safari experience.

A boat trip on Lake Ihema in Rwanda offers stunning views of various water bird species, including African Finfoot. The VNP, located in Rwanda’s highest point, Mount Karisimbi, is home to 200 bird species, including 17 Albertine Rift Endemics. The Scarlet-Tufted Sunbird is unique to Rwanda, and nearby lakes and Buhanga Eco-Park offer opportunities for birding. Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Rwanda’s newest park, is a focus of rehabilitation efforts, offering good birdlife and potential tourism options.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu, a popular birding destination in Rwanda, is home to numerous species including Pied Kingfishers, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, White-breasted Cormorants, and Osprey, as well as Rwanda’s common terrestrial species like Double-tooth Barbet. It offers a variety of birdwatching opportunities, including the common ot-flanked Barbet, which is a common species found in the surrounding wetlands.

Birdlife International has declared the Akanyaru Wetlands and Nyabarongo Wetlands as Important Bird Areas in Rwanda, covering 10% of the country’s wetlands and marshes.

Rugezi Marsh

Rugezi Marsh, Rwanda’s RAMSAR Site near Gicumbi, is home to Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grey-crowned Cranes, Papyrus Canary, and Papyrus Yellow Warbler. Lake Nyagafunzo offers boat rides for common water birds and Lesser Jacana.

Bugesera District

Rwanda’s Bugesera District offers excellent birding opportunities, with 415 bird species recorded. Sites include Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Swamp Warbler, White-collared Oliveback, Lesser Jacana, and White-backed Duck. Other species include Red-chested Sunbird, Palm Nut Vulture, Blue-naped Mousebird, and African Fish Eagle.

Kigali

Nyarutarama Lake in Kigali offers a variety of bird species, including the African Swamphen and African Goshawk. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of the lake and the nearby hotel gardens, which are home to numerous bird species.

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority is enhancing urban birding opportunities in Kigali by developing a park and wetlands at the city’s edge.

Where to go birding ?

Birding around Kigali City

Kigali, Rwanda’s entry point, serves as a prime location for birding enthusiasts, offering numerous renowned birding spots to introduce visitors to local birdlife.

The Albertine Eco-region – the Albertine Rift endemics

Rwanda’s Albertine region, a chain of mountains formed by volcanic activity, is the center of the Afromontane habitat, encompassing five other countries. It boasts 27 Albertine Rift endemics, showcasing exceptional faunal and floral endemism.

Nyungwe National Park

The highland region’s south-western slopes form the great divide, forming the habitat of Nyungwe National Park, a tropical rainforest and home to 310 bird species.

Rwanda’s Albertine rift endemics, including the regal sunbird and handsome spurfowl, are abundant in Nyungwe, a popular birding destination.

Akagera National Park

The Albertine belt in Rwanda, surrounded by the Savannah, is surrounded by the Akagera River, forming a diverse landscape in the north east.

Akagera boasts over 525 species, including the Red-faced Barbet, Sousa’s Shrike, White-collared Oliveback, and Ruaha Chat, among others.

The Akagera River and the eastern boundary of the park feature wetland areas rich in species like Carruthers Cisticola, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek, and Shoebill.

Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, encompassing five volcanoes and renowned for its Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, also houses 165 bird species, 17 of which are endemic to the area.

Volcanoes National Park’s critical habitat requires supervised gorilla trekking, mountain trekking, and golden monkey treks to preserve gorillas, while steep mountain terrain may not be ideal for birding.

A one-hour nature walk trail at the base of mountains offers a chance to spot special birds while enjoying the breathtaking Virunga scenery.

Volcanoes National Park offers a thrilling birding adventure, perfect for a gorilla tour and volcano hike, enhancing your birding experience.

Wetlands and Marshes

Rwanda’s 10% wetlands and marshes, primarily Rugezi, Akanyaru, and Nyabarongo Wetlands, are home to numerous waders and wetland species.

When to go birding in Rwanda? Best bird watching destinations in Rwanda

All year round! However, the period from December to February is the migrant bird season during which Rwanda hosts lots of Wintering and Pelearctic migrants.

Rwanda has developed birding infrastructure, including trails, accommodation, and roads, and trained professional bird guides for tours, with knowledgeable site guides available at many prominent birding spots.

Acacia offers bird watching safaris in Rwanda, visiting protected areas like Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Volcanoes National Park. These safaris require long hours of hiking and considerable hiking in mountainous areas. Acacia safaris provides well-planned packages for a successful birding adventure in Rwanda..

Birdlife in Rwanda

Rwanda’s bird reputation is a notable feature of its diverse avifauna is the presence of 27 of the 37 forest and swamp-associated species regarded to be endemic to the eastern and western escarpments of the Albertine Rift. The Albertine endemic species can only be seen in parts of the DR Congo and one or two sites in Uganda. Outside of the Congo, Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park supports the world’s greatest diversity of Albertine Rift Endemics.

Nyungwe is home to a diverse array of endemic species, including the handsome francolin, Ruwenzori turaco, and great blue turaco, and is a popular birding destination with 310 species and knowledgeable local guides.