Rwanda: A Premier Destination for Montane Birding in Africa

Rwanda: A Premier Destination for Montane Birding in Africa

Nyungwe National Park

It is a tropical montane rainforest that is home to 322 bird species as well as 13 species of primate and numerous endemic plant species. So far, 29 bird species have been found here. The star attraction is undoubtedly the Red-collared Babbler, and Rwanda is the only safe place to see this stunning bird. Other specialities include Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Grauer’s Warbler, Regal, Blue-headed, and Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, and Neumann’s Warbler. All of these and more can be seen easily from a well-maintained network of trails with the help of the park’s expert bird guides.

With more time and a bit of luck, it is also possible to observe Kungwe Apalis, Kivu Ground Thrush, and Willard’s Sooty Boubou. Possibly the rarest of Nyungwe’s birds would be the Congo Bay Owl, Albertine Owlet, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, which have been reported but are seldom seen. Night-walks will be available soon, and these offer the potential to track down the park’s elusive nocturnal species.

Akagera National Park

It is a savannah park with rolling hills, lakes, wetlands, and woodlands. It offers a more traditional African Big 5 safari experience. But the diversity of habitats means it has excellent birding too. To date, 490 bird species have been observed in Akagera NP. The park offers a comparable experience to others in the region .But its compact nature means you can access the different habitats easily and build a good bird list.

The range-restricted Red-faced barbet is probably the most sought-after bird. And should be easy to find around Akagera Game Lodge and Muyumbu campsite. Other range-restricted species and highlights include Northern Brown-throated Weaver; Papyrus Gonolek; White-Winged Swamp Warbler; Carruthers’s Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, and Grey-crowned Cranes. Another desirable species is the Shoebill, which is also seen in the park fairly regularly. The park is also home to good populations of raptors and large numbers of waterbirds.

<p><p>A boat trip on Lake Ihema should give great views of many of the waterbird species, and there is a good chance for African Finfoot, which is also seen regularly from the deck at the Ruzizi Tented Lodge. A night drive offers the potential to observe several nocturnal bird species, such as Verreaux’s Eagle Owl and several Nightjar species.

Volcanoes National Park

It is located in a region of mostly dormant, heavily vegetated volcanoes and includes Rwanda’s highest point, Mount Karisimbi. The park is famous for Mountain Gorillas, but also offers good birding potential, and 200 bird species are known from this area, among these are 17 Albertine Rift Endemics. The species here are similar to Nyungwe; however, the Scarlet-Tufted Sunbird is only found here in Rwanda, and a trek to the summit of Mt Bisoke is your best bet for this bird. There are also a series of lakes surrounding VNP that can be worth a quick detour. Buhanga Eco-Park is also nearby, and there have been sightings of African Pitta here during its migration.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Rwanda: A Premier Destination for Montane Birding in Africa. It is located in western Rwanda, in the mountains above Lake Kivu. This is Rwanda’s newest national park and currently the focus of extensive rehabilitation efforts. The forests hold good birdlife, Gishwati, 232 species, and Mukura, 163 species, including several Albertine Rift Endemics and forest specialists. Tourism options will be available soon. Check back for details.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu offers a very relaxing stopover during a birding tour and is not without its highlights. The lake supports huge numbers of White-breasted Cormorants, Pied Kingfishers, and Osprey can be seen fishing during their migration. The lake shores are home to some of Rwanda’s more common terrestrial species, and hotel gardens. In Karongi, Rubavu, and Rusizi can offer interesting birding. Double-tooth Barbet is regularly seen in this region along with species such as Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Familiar Chat, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, and Spot-flanked Barbet. The area around Kinunu also offers good birdwatching for the more common species.

Wetlands

Elsewhere, Rwanda’s wetlands and marshes cover around 10% of the country. Rugezi, Akanyaru Wetlands, and Nyabarongo Wetlands have been declared Important Bird Areas by Birdlife International.

Rugezi Marsh, located in north-west Rwanda near Gicumbi, is Rwanda’s only RAMSAR Site. And is home to good populations of Grauer’s Swamp Warbler and also supports Grey-crowned Cranes. Papyrus Canary, and there have been reports of Papyrus Yellow Warbler from here. At the south end of the marsh, there is an area of open water called Lake Nyagafunzo. A boat ride here is great for seeing some of the more common waterbirds in the country. And the possibility of White-backed Duck and Lesser Jacana.

The wetlands and lakes of Bugesera District to the south-east of Kigali offer excellent birding. And are probably some of the most easily accessible birding areas in Rwanda. There is a diversity of habitats, and some 415 bird species have been recorded in this region. Several sites offer good chances to observe Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Swamp Warbler, White-collared Oliveback, Lesser Jacana, and White-backed Duck. The latter two species were rediscovered in Rwanda in 2014 after a long period with no confirmed sightings. In addition, Red-chested Sunbird, Palm Nut Vulture, Blue-naped Mousebird. African Fish Eagle, numerous waterbirds, and savannah species can be seen in this area.

Kigali

Kigali offers excellent urban birding. Hotel gardens often host interesting bird species, and Nyarutarama Lake, or “Lover’s Lake,”. At the edge of the Kigali Golf Course, is always productive. Even visitors with only a few spare hours will be rewarded by a visit. Species observed include White-collared Oliveback, African Swamphen, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Bat Hawk, Narina Trogon, Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, and Black-headed Weaver.

In addition, Umusambi Village, due to open in mid-2019, will offer close-up views of rescued Grey-crowned Cranes. To date, around 100 species have been observed in its restored habitat. The Rwanda Environment Management Authority. Is also developing a park at the edge of Kigali, which, once completed, will provide another excellent urban birding site. Furthermore, the wetlands at the city’s edge offer additional promising birding locations.