BIRD WATCHING IN RWANDA:
Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills is not only a gorilla trekking destination, but also a birder’s Paradise. The country offers one of Africa’s best African montane birding experiences, with diverse habitats ranging from the savannah, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, rivers, Lakes to forests, as well as more than 750 species of birds.
Of the 750 species of birds in Rwanda, 29 species are Albertine Rift endemics while others are Congo Biome endemics and Lake Victoria Basin endemics. With four National Parks including – Volcanoes, Gishwati-Mukura, Akagera and Nyungwe Forest National Parks, there are several wonderful birding spots that also include wetlands and marshlands as well as some areas around the lush City of Kigali.
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK:
Akagera National Park offers a diversity (in terms of habitats and species) of wetland, aquatic, woodland, forest and grassland species of birds. Besides the big five wildlife viewing experience in Akagera National Park, you are guaranteed an unforgettable birding experience.
There are currently 525 species of birds in this Park (presenting over three quarters of the country’s total bird species) occupying the woodlands, rolling hills, wetlands and savannah plains. The red-faced barbets, papyrus gonolek, shoebill storks, northern brown-throated weavers, white-collared olive backs, white-winged swamp warblers, grey-crowned cranes and many other aquatic bird species are found within and around the wetlands of the National Park.
The African fin foot, Verreaux’s eagle owls and other water birds can be spotted during boat trips on Lake Ihema.
GISHWATI -MUKURA NATIONAL PARK:
Situated within the western side of Rwanda, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is the newest and most recently created Park in the country with a total of over 232 species of birds living in the Gishwati forest, while about 163 species are within the Mukura forest. The common bird species in these forests are the Dusky Crimsonwing, white-headed wood hoopoes, red-throated alethe, Rwenzori batis, strange weavers, Purple-breasted sunbirds, grey-crowned cranes and mountain yellow warblers among others.
NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK:
Gazetted in 2004 and extending for over 1000 square kilometers, Nyungwe Forest National Park is found in the south-west of Rwanda, and is home to over 320 species of birds, including 29 species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley area. The red-collared babbler, one of these species is considered the star attraction in this Park.
With the well-maintained network of trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park, the Park guides will help in identifying other unique bird species such as the Grauer’s swamp warblers, Rwenzori nightjar, Congo Bay Owls, Rwenzori batis, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, handsome francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Neumann’s warblers, Purple-breasted sunbirds, Albertine owlet, Regal sunbirds, Rockefeller’s sunbirds, blue-headed sunbirds and many others.
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK:
In north-western side of Rwanda lies the verdant and heavily vegetated Volcanoes National Park, the home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas as well as the country’s highest point (Mount Karisimbi). This National Park is also home to over 178 species of birds including those endemic to the Rwenzori Mountains range and the Albertine Rift region. There are handsome francolins, Purple-breasted sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, Scarlet-tufted sunbirds, strange weavers, Rwenzori nightjars and African Pitta among others.
LAKE KIVU:
Lake Kivu is not only a place of relaxing, swimming and water sports, but also an excellent birding Paradise. This Lake and its surrounding areas are a home to the Brown-throated wattle-eye, Double-tooth barbets, yellow-bellied waxbill, Spot-flanked barbets, pied kingfishers, white-breasted cormorants, Malachite kingfishers and spot-flanked barbets among others. The best birding spots around Lake Kivu are Kinunu, Rubavu, Rusizi and Karongi.
KIGALI CITY:
Kigali City is one of the best places for urban birding. This City’s rivers, Lakes and forests act as habitats for numerous bird species. The Lover’s Lake (Lake Nyarutarama) bordering Kigali Golf Course has species like the Black cuckoo shrike, white-collared olive backs, Grey crowned cranes, Palmnut vultures, Grey-headed Bush shrike, Narina trogon, Ruppell’s starlings, black-headed weavers, crested barbets and Bat hawks can be spotted.
MARSHLANDS AND WETLANDS:
Wetlands and marshlands cover up to 10% of Rwanda’s landscape and are some of the Top Birding Areas in the country. The best wetlands and marshlands for birding are the Akanyaru, Nyabarongo and Rugezi wetlands with species such as Papyrus gonolek, Grauer’s swamp warblers, lesser jacana, grey-crowned cranes, white-backed ducks, Papyrus canary, papyrus yellow warblers, red-chested sunbirds, white-winged swamp warblers, blue-naped mousebirds, white-collared olive backs, African fish eagles, white-backed ducks and many others.