Birdwatching in Rwanda
Birdwatching in Rwanda: With a total of 703 bird species, 29 endemics of the Albertine Rift, a variety of habitats, and the best highland birding in Africa, Rwanda is a birdwatcher’s heaven.
The majority of travelers prefer to visit Akagera National Park in the east and Nyungwe National Park in the west of Rwanda. However, the best places to go bird watching are located around the nation particularly in the vicinity of Kigali. Any location in Rwanda offers a variety of noteworthy bird species, making it a worthwhile destination to stay.
Renowned for its highland rainforest, Nyungwe National Park is home to 322 bird species, more than 13 primate species, and a number of rare plant species. The only secure location to visit this ideal bird is Rwanda, and seeing the rare Red-collared Babbler is really an adventure. Among other beautiful birds are the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed and Purple Breasted Sunbirds, Neumann’s Warbler, and Grauer’s Warbler.
With the assistance of the park’s knowledgeable bird guides, all of these species are easily visible from a well-maintained network of trails. If you’re lucky on your day in Rwanda, you can also see Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Kivu Ground Thrush, and Kungwe Apalis. Ideally, you will be able to witness Nyungwe’s documented Congo Bay Owl, Albertine Owlet, Shelley’s Crimson Wing, and Rockefeller Sunbird. You can take nighttime walks, which may help you find the park’s secretive nocturnal creatures.
A savannah park with rolling hills, lakes, wetlands, and forests makes up Akagera National Park. All five of Africa’s safari animals can be observed in the park during the game drive. Furthermore, there are more than 500 different types of birds in Akagera, and visitors can take a boat tour on Lake Ihema to get a good look at the many kinds of waterbirds.
The Northern Brown-throated weaver, Papyrus gonolek, White-winged swamp warbler, White collared olive back, Grey-crowned cranes, and others are among the birds that may be seen in Akagera National Park.
Among other nocturnal bird species, the park’s night game drive offers the chance to witness Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.
In addition to being home to gorillas, Volcanoes National Park in northeastern Uganda has excellent birding opportunities. Of the 200 bird species known to exist there, 17 are Albertine Rift Endemics. Although the bird species are comparable to those found in Nyungwe, the scarlet-tufted sunbirds are unique to Rwanda, and the most rewarding hike is to the top of Mount Bisoke.
Red-faced woodland warbler, Lagden’s bush shrike, Dusky crimson wing, Handsome francolin, African long-eared owl, Brown-necked parrot, Doherty bush-shrike, Ruwenzori apalis, and Brown woodland warbler are some of the other bird species.
Go birdwatching in Gishwati Mukuru National Park;
Gishwati Mukura National Park is located in the foothills above Lake Kivu in western Rwanda. The park’s forest is home to more than 232 different species of birds, making it an excellent place to go birdwatching.
City of Kigali
The city is also an excellent place to go bird watching; it’s always a pleasant experience to see urban birds in hotel gardens, Nyarutarama Lake, or at the edge of the Kigali gold course. White-collared Olive-bellied, African Swamphen, Bat Hawk, Narina Trogon, Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Olive-bellied, Red-chested sunbird, Palm Nut vulture, Crested Barbet Grey-backed Fiscal, African Goshawk, Ruppel’s Starling, and Black-headed weaver are a few of the bird species that can be seen in the city.
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority intends to establish a park in Kigali’s outskirts. The location will be ideal for urban birding if the concept is successful. In addition, marshes on the outskirts of the city offer a lot of excellent locations.
See the Ruppel’s Starling at Lake Kivu
One of Rwanda’s top birding destinations is Lake Kivu, which is home to numerous bird species that may be seen from its shores, such as Osprey, Pied Kingfisher, and White-breasted Cormorants. Among these bird species are the Brown-throated wattled eye, Spot-flanked Barbet, Familiar Chat, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, and others. The area near Kinunu is also a fantastic place to go birdwatching.
Wetland
About 10% of Rwanda’s marshes and wetlands, including Rugezi, Akanyaru, and Nyabarongo wetlands, have been designated as Important Bird Areas by Birdlife International.
Rugezi Marsh, which is located close to Gicumbi in northwest Rwanda, is home to a variety of species, including Papyrus canary, Grey-crowned cranes, and Papyrus yellow warbler.
