With a vast bird list that includes over 750 species, birdwatching in Rwanda is immensely enjoyable! Rwanda has the highest bird density per square km in Africa despite being a small nation of only 26,338 square kilometres. By traversing a little area or spending a brief amount of time on the birding trail, birding in Rwanda will reward you with a multitude of bird species. Easy access and views of the uncommon and challenging-to-find bird species are also available.
The habitats are extremely varied and primarily consist of the grassland plains and marshes along the eastern border and the montane forests of the Albertine Rift in the western area. Along with the grassy hills of Rwanda’s central area, there are countless lakes, rivers, wetlands, and swamps. The majority of the 44 Albertine Rift unique bird species, 27 of which are located in Nyungwe Forest alone, are found in Rwanda, despite the fact that no bird species is unique to the country alone. Rwanda is a great place for birdwatchers because of its stunning scenery, which includes grassy hills and hazy volcanoes. The country is home to incredible and rare species, including various primates and the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas.
The sheer diversity of bird habitats in Rwanda makes it a top destination for birdwatchers. These include plains, rivers, lakes, undulating hills, mountains, montane forests, meadows, and large wetlands. Rwanda boasts clean, safe communities and well-maintained road systems.
While it is possible to go bird watching in Rwanda all year round, certain months offer the best conditions. The fact that Rwanda has two distinct rainy and dry seasons should not be overlooked. In Rwanda, the months of December through January are thought to be the best for bird watching. These months, which are unique since multitudes of migrating birds enter the nation to avoid the severe winters in Europe and the Arctic, fall within the dry season.
Rwanda is home to a variety of bird habitats, some of which are the grasslands, swamps, and plains found in the east of the country, the grass hills dispersed throughout the centre, and the montane Albertine forests that primarily cover the western portion of the nation. Additionally, there are numerous rivers, ponds, and wetlands that serve as the birds’ natural habitats.
Birding destinations in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is home to Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda’s highest peak, which lies tucked away among dormant and lushly covered volcanoes. Despite being well-known for its mountain gorillas, the park is also a fascinating place for birdwatchers, with 200 different species to choose from. Of these, only 17 are exclusive to the Albertine Rift Endemics group.
This area is home to birds that are comparable to those seen in Nyungwe National Park. However, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is distinguished by the alluring Scarlet-Tufted Sunbird. Trekking to the summit of Mount Bisoke is your greatest chance to see this impressive bird if you’re desperate to get a glimpse of it. The park’s environs feature a number of lakes that could entice birdwatchers with an exciting and short side trip, adding to Rwanda’s attraction for bird watching.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest is home to around 275 different bird species and is used for montane bird conservation. It is situated in the southwest of the nation, near the border between Rwanda and Lake Kivu. The Chapin’s flycatcher, Rockefeller’s sunbird, strange weaver, Red collared mountain babbler, Handsome Francolin, Mountain sooty Boubou, Archer robin’s chat, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Graurer’s warbler, and the stripe-breasted tit are just a few of the bird species that can be found in the Nyungwe. It’s a good place to go bird watching in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park
With its lakes, wetlands, savannah, and undulating hills, Akagera National Park is home to 310 different species of birds. The park is located near the Tanzanian border in the northeastern part of the nation. The islands, marshes, and wetlands surrounding Lake Ihema offer the best birding opportunities. While birding safaris in Rwanda provide early morning and late savannah birding expeditions, a boat ride on Lake Ihema is a good method to view birds in the park. Because there’s a lot of bird activity, the morning sessions are perhaps the most enjoyable. The Red-faced Barbet is the most prevalent species in the park, but Akagera is also home to the critically endangered Papyrus Ganolex. It’s also crucial to remember that Africa’s Akagera National Park is perhaps the greatest location to see the secretive Ring-necked Francolin. You may also see the Carruthers’s Cisticola, Grey-crowned Cranes, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, White-collared Oliveback, and White-Winged Swamp Warbler during your safari at Akagera National Park.
Kigali City
East African nations are incredibly fortunate to have abundant options for birdwatching. When visiting Rwanda or Uganda, one can begin birding as soon as they exit the airport or even in the larger cities. If you don’t have much time to travel to the large national parks or the countryside, urban birding in Kigali is a good option. The amount of birding opportunities in Kigali will amaze you. While birding in Kigali can begin in the hotel grounds, it might be wiser to visit Lake Nyarutarama, which is adjacent to the city’s principal golf course. There are lovely trails and walks around this lake that are great for seeing flying geese, black-headed herons, grey-capped warblers, and white-faced whistling ducks. As one leaves the city centre, the Rwandan government has created a sizable park that is quickly gaining popularity among birdwatchers. Additionally, you can see yellow-billed storks, spur-winged geese, squacco turaco, and tiny egrets by visiting the Nyabarongo swamp. In Rwanda, Mount Kigali is a great place to go bird watching.