Birdwatching in Rwanda
Birdwatching in Rwanda ; Rwanda is a birder’s paradise with total of 703 species of birds ,29 Albertine Rift endemics, diverse habitats and the best montane birding in Africa.
Most love borders prefer visiting Nyungwe National Park in the west of Rwanda and Akagera National Park that lies in the East. Although, the best birding sites are found across the country and to area close to Kigali. On matter which place of stay in Rwanda is rewarding with various notable bird species.
Nyungwe National Park well known as a montane rainforest home to 322 bird species and over 13 primate species and several endemic plant species. The experience is undoubtedly to see this rare Red-collared Babbler and Rwanda is the only safe place to spot this perfect bird. Other stunning birds include; Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Blue-headed and purple Breasted Sunbirds, Grauer’s Warbler and Neumann’ Warbler among others. All of these species can be seen easily from well -maintained network of trail with the help of the park’s skilled bird guides. If you lucky on your day of visit to Rwanda, it is also possible to watch Kungwe Apalis, Kivu Ground Thrush and Willard’s Sooty Boubou among other. If possible, you can be able to sight see Nyungwe’s birds – Congo Bay Owl, Albertine Owlet and Shelley’s Crimson wing, Rockefeller Sunbird which have been recorded. You can go for night walks which offers the potential to track down the park’s elusive nocturnal species.
Akagera National Park is a game that comprised of savannah park with rolling hills, lakes, wetland and woodlands. The park is home to all the African Big five safari, which can easily be seen on the game drive. More so, Akagera is a home to over 500 bird species and can enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ihema that gives gainful views of the various waterbird species.
Some of birds to see in Akagera National Park includes; Northern Brown-throated weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Swamp warbler, White collared Olive back, Grey-crowned cranes, White-winged swamp warbler among others.
Night game drive in the park offers the potential of seeing nocturnal bird species like Verreaux’s Eagle Owl among others.
Volcanoes National Park is located northeastern region of Uganda and the park is not only home for gorillas but also offers perfect good birding potential and around 200 bird species are recorded here, among 17 of them are Albertine Rift Endemics. The bird species here are similar to Nyungwe, however, Scarlet -Tufted sunbirds is only spotted here in Rwanda and a trek to the summit of Mount Bisoke is the most rewarding one. Other bird species includes; Ruwenzori apalis, African long -eared owl, Doherty bush-shrike, Dusky crimson wing, Handsome francolin, Red-faced woodland warbler, Lagden’s bush shrike, Brown-necked parrot, Brown woodland warbler, African long eared owl among others.
Visit Gishwati Mukuru National Park for Birding;
Gishwati Mukura National Park lies in western part of Rwanda, in the mountains above Lake Kivu. The forest inside the park boosts with over 232 species of birds thus a good site for birding.
Kigali City
The city is also great location for birding, viewing of urban birding, hotel gardens and Nyarutarama Lake or at the edge of the Kigali gold course is always good experience. Few of bird species to see around the city are White – collared Olive back, 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, Narina Trogon among others. Well, The Rwanda Environment Management Authority is planning to set up a park at the edge Kigali. If the plan goes on well, the site will be perfect place for urban birding. Besides that, there are many good sites at wetlands on the edge of the city.
Visit Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of the best birding sites in Rwanda and support large number of bird species which can be viewed at the shores of the lake including White-breasted Cormorants, Pied kingfisher and Osprey which can be spotted. Some of bird species includes; Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Brown-throated wattled eye, Spot -flanked Barbet, Familiar Chat, Brown-throted wattle-eye among others. Birding can also be done around Kinunu thus offering good birding view.
Wetland
Rwanda covers around 10% of the wetland and marshes like, Rugezi, Akanyaru wetlands and Nyabarongo wetland was declared as Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.
Rugezi Marsh is situated in northwest Rwanda near Gicumbi and the site support species like Papyrus canary, Grey-crowned cranes and Papyrus yellow warbler among others.
