Best destinations for bird watching in Rwanda

Best destinations for bird watching in Rwanda: Rwanda, the “Land of a Thousand Hills” is an undiscovered treasure trove especially when it comes to bird watching and other lens-focused adventures. This tropical East African nation houses an astonishing number of birds from varied environments starting from the forests to marshland. Bird watchers could explore over 700 bird species in Rwanda and out of these, endemic and migratory birds of Rwanda are numerous. In this article we shall look at the best destinations for bird watching in Rwanda, what you will encounter, and how to get it right when bird watching.

1. Akagera National Park

The mostly savanna-bordered Akagera National Park in the east at the Rwanda–Tanzania border is one of the best destinations for bird watching in Rwanda. The park’s social habitat consists of savannahs, wetlands, and woodlands making it during that time a perfect breeding ground for birds. More than 500 species of birds are known here, including the mysterious shoebill stork, the sacred African fish eagle, and different types of herons and daughters.

The best approach to conducting a tour across this park is through a car, often referred to as a game drive where experienced guides sort out for you the kinds of birds present. Also, the boat trip around Lake Ihema shall offer excellent views of water birds and the landscape in general.

2. Nyungwe Forest National Park has always been in existence and has been offering services with expanded services including;

Nyungwe forest national park is perhaps one of the best so rich in bird life; it boasts of over 300 bird species. The montane rainforest of the park hosts various endemic birds such as Rwenzori turaco, Albertine rift endemics, and great blue turaco.

Nyungwe National Park has many types of birds and the best opportunity to identify them, especially during the early morning while they are at their most active. Special bird-watching trips can be arranged for, with guides who will show the park’s numerous bird species and explain what they are. Another good vantage point from where you can look straight down onto the floor of the forest is the Nyungwe Canopy Walk.

3. Lake Kivu

Located in the natural reserve of Kivu, this lake is one of Africa’s Great Lakes and in addition to being a perfect relaxation and adventurous site, it offers a good ground for birding. On its shore, many bird species nest and feed, especially the white-breasted cormorant, the African pygmy kingfisher, and ducks and shorebirds.

The most preferred routes for birding are those in the wetland and marsh areas around the lake. A boat ride on Kivu is possible and provides perspective to shoot close to the water’s edge The area is good for water bird viewing and the overhead views of the hills are magnificent.

4. Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorillas aside, bird enthusiasts will find Volcanoes National Park to be of great interest. It has been established that more than 200 bird species inhabit the park many of which are only found in the Albertine Rift. Some of the famous ones are the handsome francolin, Rwenzori batis as well as the African hill babbler.

Volcanoes National Park offers birdwatching alongside gorilla trekking; therefore tourists that would like to have the best of both worlds should visit this park. Bird watching is best done while on a guided tour provided on different habitats within this park most of which can be arranged early in the morning.

5. Kigali

Originally a city in programming, Kigali also provides excellent opportunities for a bird-watching enthusiast. In this city, there are fairly rated parks and gardens including the Kigali Genocide Memorial Gardens and the Nyarutarama Natural Park in which visitors may find birds including red-chested sunbirds, and African thrushes among others.

Kigali’s parks offer another birding perspective because you can see the birds within an urban setting. Walking in these places you are likely to encounter some beautiful birds while admiring the well-maintained landscapes.

6. Rugezi Marsh

Rugezi Marsh in the northern part of Rwanda is a major wetland and an ideal hub for bird-watching exercises. The marsh wall is a habitat for different birds, some of which many consider endangered like the shoebill stork, the papyrus gonolek, and several species of reed warblers.

Going to Rugezi Marsh is a perfect chance to look at the not very famous bird watching tour while enjoying the wetlands. It is possible to hire a guide to explain more about the marsh and to show you where the difficult-to-spot bird species are likely to be.

Some of the Consideration When Bird Watching in Rwanda

– Best Time to Visit: The best time to go bird watching in Rwanda is in the dry seasons, which are June, July, August, and December, January, and February. These months are reckoned as the most birds active and the weather is also suitable for different outdoor activities.

– Bring Binoculars and Field Guides: It is recommended that you acquire a binocular in order to view birds from a distance. Identification of Rwandan bird species can also be facilitated by a field guide to birds.

– Hire a Local Guide: It will be better if one hires a local expert in bird watching because they will exploit all their knowledge to ensure that clients get the best of it. They could help you find the right bird-watching area, point at the specific species, and add color to the event.

– Be Patient and Observant: Birdwatching is very patient and involves a lot of observing skills. Stay in one location and listen as bird calls are efficient in helping you find some birds.

– Respect Nature: Obey all rules and regulations set down so as to cause a lower impact on the park and its surrounding environment. Stay out of nesting sites that may home birds and keep off other forms of wildlife.

Conclusion

An enjoyable bird-watching tour in Rwanda will be a marvel to nature lovers and those with a passion for watching birds. This is because the country hosts impressive avifauna and habitats ranging from the alpine meadows, one of the most important world’s periglacial zones, to tropical forests. From the Savannah species of Akagera National Park to the montane species of Nyungwe forest and the around Lake Kivu, bird sightings in Rwanda are inexhaustible.

If you’re an experienced birder or simply with nature, the majesty of finding amazing and vivid bird species in their environment will give you many memorable moments of Rwanda’s stunning nature. Therefore, grab the binoculars, visit the variety of Birding sites, and enjoy meeting the exciting avifaunal diversity of Rwanda.