Birding around Kigali City

Kigali is the entry point into Rwanda via the Kigali International Airport and therefore offers your first birding activity in Rwanda. There are several renowned birding spots within the city that for the visiting new birders provide a good introduction to some local birds of Rwanda. More about birding in Kigali, spots and birds

The Albertine Eco-region – the Albertine Rift endemics

The Albertine region comprises a chain of mountains formed through upliftment and volcanic activity. It stretches across Rwanda’s western half and covers five other countries. The Albertine is regarded as the centre of the Afromontane habitat and is a belt of exceptional faunal and floral endemism including over 40 bird species, 34 mammals, 117 butterflies, 34 amphibians, and 16 reptiles. Rwanda has at least 27 Albertine Rift endemics. Here is the list of the Albertine Rift endemics in Rwanda and the places you to look find them

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park is a tropical mountain rainforest and lies on the south-western slopes of the highland region that forms the great divide between the Congo and Nile drainage systems. The park protects the region’s largest montane rainforest and is home to 310 species of bird.

Nyungwe is by far the most popular birding destination in Rwanda, especially being sought out for the numerous Albertine rift endemics; 27 to be found here. Some of Nyungwe’s specials are Regal Sunbird, Red-collared Babbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Spurfowl, Rwenzori Batis, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, Albertine Owlet.

Akagera National Park

The Akagera National Park lies in the north east of Rwanda, outside the high-rising Albertine belt. It covers a chunk of Savannah. A mix of rolling grassland interspersed with broad-leafed and acacia woodland, these lower-lying lands are dissected by the Akagera River.

Out of over 525 species, some of the most sought-after birds of Akagera are the Red-faced Barbet, Sousa’s Shrike, White-collared Oliveback, and Ruaha Chat.

The park has a mosaic of wetlands and lakes, along the course of the Akagera River and the eastern boundary. Some of the sought after species in the wetland areas are: Carruthers Cisticola, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek and the Shoebill.

Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda’s part of the Virunga mountain range and includes five volcanoes: Mountains Muhavura, Gahinga, Sabinyo, Bisoke, and Karisimbi. The Volcanoes National Park is famous for the Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys and is mostly visited for treks to observe these endangered and endemic primates and hikes to the volcanoes. But the park boasts of about 165 bird species, 17 endemic to the area.

Note that Volcanoes National Park is not so well customized for birding like the other parks. Being that there is utmost need to preserve the gorillas and this critical habitat, the park has been limited to a few highly supervised activities of gorilla trekking, mountain trekking, and golden monkey trek. On the other hand, the steep mountain terrain is perhaps not so favorable for birding for most birders.

However there is a trail at the base of the mountains for nature walks allowing a one hour trek in the forest that can provide sighting of a few of the special birds while you enjoy the breathtaking Virunga scenery.

Planning to include Volcanoes National Park on your birding itinerary? Perhaps include it for  the gorilla tour and or volcano hike to spice up your birding adventure.

Wetlands and Marshes

Rwanda’s wetlands and marshes cover 10% of the country. The main protected ones include Rugezi, Akanyaru and Nyabarongo Wetlands where many waders and wetland species can be observed.