MBAZI SAFARIS

Birding in Rwanda

Rwanda is a bird watcher’s paradise, home to over 703 bird species despite its small size. It offers top African Montane Birding experiences with 29 Albertine Rift Valley endemics, plus species from the Lake Victoria basin and Afro-tropical highlands. Key birding destinations include:

Akagera National Park

With savannah, lakes, wetlands, and woodlands, this 1,122 sq. km park hosts about 500 bird species. Highlights include Carruthers’s Cisticola, shoebill stork, Verreaux’s eagle owl, African finfoot, grey-crowned crane, and African fish eagle. Birds can be spotted on bush walks, boat rides, and game drives.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

This 1,000 sq. km forest in the southwest is home to 320 bird species, including 29 endemics. Look out for Grauer’s swamp warbler, Regal sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Neumann’s warbler, Purple-breasted sunbird, and Red-collared babbler.

Volcanoes National Park

In the northwest, this park hosts over 200 bird species, including 17 Albertine Rift Valley endemics. Key species include Archer’s Robinchat, Rwenzori batis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Scarlet-tufted sunbird, and Rwenzori Apalis.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Rwanda’s smallest national park boasts over 232 species in Gishwati Forest and 163 in Mukura Forest. Notable birds include strange weavers, Martial eagle, Purple-breasted sunbird, and Mountain yellow warbler.

Kigali City

Birding hotspots like Lake Nyarutarama and hotel gardens offer sightings of Ruppell’s starling, Narina Trogon, African Goshawk, Grey-headed Bushshrike, and Red-chested sunbird.

Lake Kivu

Rwanda’s largest lake hosts species like Brown-throated wattle-eye, African finfoot, White-breasted cormorant, Spur-winged Goose, and malachite kingfisher.

Wetlands and Marshes

Covering 10% of Rwanda, wetlands like Rugezi, Nyabarongo, and Akanyaru are home to African fish eagle, White-collared Oliveback, Grey-crowned crane, Papyrus canary, and Palmnut vulture.

Best Time for Bird Watching

Birding is possible year-round, but for migratory species, visit in April or November. The dry season (June-September, December-February) offers better trail conditions, while the wet season (March-May, October-November) is ideal for spotting breeding birds.