Bird watching in Volcanoes national park
Bird watching in Volcanoes national park; Volcanoes national park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda in Musanze village bordering with Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes national park is famously known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, mammals like forest elephants, buffaloes, duikers, giant forest hogs, bushbucks among others. Volcanoes national park is also a home of the five Virunga volcanoes that is Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura.
Volcanoes national park is a home of over 200 recorded bird species including 17 of the 25 Albertine rift endemics, afro tropical highlands biome, migratory birds among others. During bird watching in Volcanoes national park, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide and follow different birding trails where you will be able to spot variety of bird species including the Lagden’s Bush-shrike, African Green Broadbill, Kivu Ground Thrush, Ruwenzori Batis, Black Cuckoo, Archers Robin Chat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Red Chested Sunbird, Strange Weaver, White Collared Silverback, Crested Barbet, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, African Goshawk, Lesser Honey Guide, Grey-backed Fiscal, Bronzy Sunbird, Brown-backed Honey Bird, Grauers Rush Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Dusky Crimson-wing, Collared Apalis, Nirana Trogon, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Palm Nut Vulture, Doherty’s Bush Shrike, Dusky Turtle Dove, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Bateleur, African Long-eared Owl, Brown-necked Parrot, Baglafecht Weaver among others.
Best time
Bird watching in Volcanoes national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to August and December to February because during this period there is less rainfall in the national park therefore bird watching trails will be dry and passable and bird lovers will be able to view colorful bird species.
Bird watching in Volcanoes national park can also be done in the rainy season during the months of march to May and October to November because during this period there is plenty of food for birds and it’s also the breeding period for most birds therefore bird lovers will be able to view variety of bird species and migratory birds from November to April.
What to pack for your bird watching safari in Volcanoes national park
When going for a biding safari in Volcanoes national park, there are a number of items that you should pack for the safari including a field guide book, a pair of binoculars, insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, camera and extra batteries, light rain jacket, energy snacks and drinking water, waterproof backpack, a wide brimmed hat among others
Where to stay during your bird watching safari in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park has a wide range of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your Rwanda bird watching safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Amakoro Songa Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel Muhabura, Virunga Inn and Resort, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Garr Hotel, Villa Gorilla, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Garden Place Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Kataza House, My Hill Eco Lodge, Rrugano Virunga Palace, One and Only Gorillas Nest Lodge, Le Palme Hotel, Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco lodge, Best View Hotel, Faraja Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Fravan Eco Resort among others.
How to get to Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is located in northwestern part of Rwanda and can be accessed by road transport means where visitors will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters which takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive in a 4 WD safari vehicle.
Other activities in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park offers other interesting activities that visitors can engage in apart from bird watching for example Rwanda Gorilla trekking where you will be able to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas, Golden monkey trekking, hiking the Musanze caves, Dian Fossey tomb hike, mountain climbing where you will be able hike Mount Karisimbi or Mount Bisoke, Ibyiwacu cultural tour where you will be able to interact with the local people, guided nature walks, visit the twin Lakes of Lake Ruhondo and Bulera, among others.
For more information about bird watching in Volcanoes national park, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website to book a birding safari package with us.
