The Best 3 Birding Spots In Rwanda For Photography & Filming
Birding Spots In Rwanda
Rwanda is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places of East Africa it is boarded by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the democratic republic of Congo, when travellers think of Rwanda the first thing to come to their mind is the Mountain gorillas of the Volcanoes national park however, the angelic country has more to present other than the primate species, it is a paradise of birds standing as one of the best places to see birds in Africa, it has a variety of species living within varied habitats including montane forests, savannah grasslands, wetlands, and the rolling endless hills, There are birds every here in Rwanda and here a few birding spots.
- Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Volcanoes National Park
- Gishwati National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a great birding destination, birders are always amazed by how much they can see while here including endemics of the Albertie rift valley region, birding in the forest is excellent all year round, there are over 300 species of birds present in the conservation area for example the African hill babbler, Albertine owlet, dusky crimson wing, dwarf honeyguide, handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush, Kungwe Apalis, red faced owl, purple breasted sunbird, red-faced woodland warbler, Regal birds, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori night Jar, strange weaver, black cuckoo, Scarce swift, African swift, Grey Crowned crane, great cormorant, pink backed pelican to mention a few. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a recognised important birding area and is one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa. Birds are best experienced through the well-distributed trails and on the canopy walk.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the closest national conservation areas of Rwanda, the prime destination is well known for Mountain gorillas but also home to over 200 species of birds, travellers that reach out to the destination for birds always appreciate the count spotted in a single visit, popular bird types include the Rwenzori Turaco, double collared sunbirds, African long eared owl, brown necked parrot, dusky crimsomwing, handsome francolin, red-faced woodland warbler, Ruwenzori Apalis, scarlet tufted sunbird, strange weaver, white collared olive back, African Swamp hen, Lesser honey guide, brown backed Honey bird, palm nut vulture, Kivu ground thrush, African green broadbill, among other species, the national park varies in vegetation hence home to the fusion of species of birds. Birding in Volcanoes National Park can be combined with Gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and visiting the Dian Fossey tombs.
Gishwati National park is one of the best birding spots of Rwanda, there are approximately 232 species of birds that have been recorded in the national park to date while some of these have been seen at Mukura and others are endemics of he Albertine rift valley, the conservation area is one of the newest protected areas of Africa, expect to see birds like the Mountain yellow warblers, Ruwenzori batis, Red throated Alethe, grey crowned crane, Twany Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, grey headed king fisher, Ruwenzori batis, Hadada Ibis, Augur buzzard, pied crow, northern double collared sunbird, African pipit, cape wagtail, malachite sunbird, purple breasted sunbird, Tullbergs woodpecker, white browed crombec among other species.
Other places to go birding include the Akagera national park the only savannah park of Rwanda, and is one of the best birding spots of Rwanda, there are over 500 species of birds that have been recorded including King fishers, Raptors and hornbills, the birds can be easily viewed on boat safari, guided nature walks, and on game drives through the well distributed trails of the park., The Rugei Marsh and the Akanyuru wetlands visitors have the chance to take a walk through the wetlands all day.
When planning for a birding safari in Rwanda it is advisable to consider long stays and hours while at the destinations, to get most of the insight it needs patience when birding, what to pack for birding includes long sleeved shirts and trousers, binoculars, cameras, proper walking shoes, insect repellents, birds of Rwanda guide book, sunglasses, safari coloured clothes like beige and Khaki, gaiters, water bottles and any other important items of personal nature.
In conclusion, Birding in Rwanda is one of the most rewarding experience in the country, this can be combined together with other things to do while in the land of many hills, including chimpanzee tracking in the Nyungwe forest National Park, Gorilla and Golden monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park, Kigali city tour.