Top birding destination in Rwanda : Are you interested in birdwatching in Rwanda? If so, keep reading! When people think of Rwanda, they usually picture the mountain gorillas, picturesque hills, or the country’s incredible recovery from the 1994 genocide. Birdwatching isn’t something that often comes to mind. This might be because the focus has been mostly on gorilla tourism, leaving little attention for birdwatching or activities like sport fishing. The fame of the mountain gorillas tends to overshadow other attractions in Rwanda. Recently, I had a chat with a friend about the lesser-known Congo Nile Trail, which many believe to be the best biking path in East Africa. We all agreed that Rwanda should do a better job promoting these hidden gems and other attractions alongside gorilla trekking. here are the most top birding destinations in Rwanda
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is made up of lakes, wetlands, gently rolling hills, and open grasslands that draw in 540 different types of birds. Located in the northeastern part of the country near the Tanzanian border, the top spots for birdwatching are around Lake Ihema, including its islands, marshes, and wetlands. While on your bird watching tour, you’ll have the chance to see bird species such as Amur falcon, hamerkop, African jacana, blue-shouldered robin-chat, Beaudouin’s snake eagle, African grey hornbill, Eleonora’s falcon, blue-cheeked bee-eater, dimorphic egret, white-winged swamp warbler, helmeted guinea fowl, papyrus gonolek, Souza’s shrike, Tabora cisticola, red-winged francolin, crested barbet, grasshopper buzzard, dimorphic egret, stripped pipit, booted eagle, cardinal woodpecker, browned-chested lapwing, grey crowned crane, Cabanis’s bunting, Carruther’s cisticola, white-faced whistling duck, goliath heron, black-headed weaver, Denham’s bustard, red-faced barbet, and yellow-billed eremomela.
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park is the biggest and oldest mountain forest in Africa. It’s home to more than 300 types of birds. One of the best places to watch these birds as they feed in the treetops is Bigugu Mountain, which is located in the park. Some of the bird species you may spot here includes Red-collared Babbler, Albertine owlet, Regal sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori Turaco , Red collared babblers , Blue-headed sunbird, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Handsome spur fowls, Neumann’s Warbler , Montane Oriole, Mountain Illadopsis, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Pink-footed Puff back, Red-chested Owlet, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Ruwenzori Blue-headed Sunbird, Sharpe’s Starling, Slender-billed Starling, Striped-breasted Tit and Purple Breasted Sunbirds among other. The best way to enjoy this forest is by walking or biking along the Congo Nile trail, which runs through it. There are also several well-maintained trails that take you to different parts of the forest. Another fun option for discovering the area and seeing birds is to take a canopy walk. The canopy walkway in Nyungwe forest stretches 160 meters above the ground, allowing you to see the expansive forest and its wildlife from up high. If you have some extra time, be sure to check out the Kamiranzovu swamp as well.
Volcanoes National Park
This park is well-known for activities like gorilla trekking, spotting golden monkeys, and climbing volcanoes such as Karisimbi. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t also a fantastic spot for birdwatching in Rwanda. Volcanoes is a haven to over 200 bird species and of which 17 are of Albertine Rift Endemics. Some of the bird species you may encounter includes francolin, Rwenzori turaco and Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, strange weaver, Archer’s robin-chat, White-collared Olive back, African Swamphen, Grey-headed Bush shrike, Bat Hawk, Narina Trogon, Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, Olive-bellied, Red-chested Sunbird and Bronzy Sunbirds, African Goshawk, Palm Nut Vulture, Crested Barbet, Grey-backed Fiscal, African Green Broadbill, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, and Kivu Ground Thrush.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is famous for its stunning beaches and islands, making it a popular spot for fishing in Rwanda. However, many people overlook that it’s also a fantastic place for birdwatching safaris in Rwanda. Some of the bird species you might encounter here includes Speckled Pigeon, Red-eyed Dove, Tambourine Dove, Ross’s Turaco, Blue-headed Coucal, Hadada Ibis, Hamerkop, Augur Buzzard, White-breasted Cormorants and Pied Kingfishers.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park, a brand-new Rwandan park in the northwest, was already a popular birding spot before it became a national park. It boasts an impressive 395 different bird species. Some of the bird species you might expect to sight while on your Rwanda birding safari here includes Regal Sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Ruwenzori Batis, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Woodhoopoe, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Martial Eagle, Strange weave, Lagden’s Bush shrike, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-throated Alethe, Grey Crowned Crane, Ruwenzori Turaco, Hooded Vulture, Gray Crowned-Crane, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Tawny Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Gray-headed Kingfisher, Rwenzori Batis, Black-billed Turaco, Black Cuckoo, Gray Crowned-Crane, Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Narina Trogon, Tropical Boubou, Black Cuckoo shrike, Pied Crow, Angola Swallow, African Yellow-Warbler, Black-throated Apalis, Dusky-brown Flycatcher, Stuhlmann’s Starling and Blue-headed Sunbird among others.
Best time to birding tours in Rwanda
Birdwatching in Rwanda can be done throughout the year but some month’s present favorable conditions for birders. It is important to note that Rwanda has two major rain and dry seasons. The best time to go birdwatching is during December and January, which are part of the dry season. During these months, many migratory birds arrive in Rwanda to avoid the cold winters in Europe and the Arctic.
