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Republic of Rwanda

Shoebill Balaeniceps rex ©Photo supplied by tourist authority

Rwanda is a small landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, and Burundi to the south. It is highly elevated, giving it the sobriquet ‘land of a thousand hills’ with its geography dominated by mountains in the west and savanna to the southeast, with numerous lakes throughout the country. It is the most densely populated mainland African country; among countries larger than 10,000 km2 (it covers 26,338 km2), it is the fifth-most densely populated country in the world with a population of around 14.5 million people. Its capital and largest city is Kigali with over 1.25 million inhabitants. Rwanda’s economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture. Coffee and tea are the major cash crops that it exports. Tourism is a fast-growing sector and is now the country’s leading foreign exchange earner.

The entire country is at a high altitude; the lowest point is the Rusizi River at 3,117 feet above sea level. The watershed between the major Congo and Nile drainage basins runs from north to south through Rwanda, with around 80% of the country’s area draining into the Nile and 20% into the Congo via the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika. The country’s longest river is the Nyabarongo, which rises in the south-west, flows north, east, and southeast before merging with the Ruvubu to form the Kagera; the Kagera then flows due north along the eastern border with Tanzania. The Nyabarongo-Kagera eventually drains into Lake Victoria, and its source in Nyungwe Forest is a contender for the as-yet undetermined overall source of the Nile. Rwanda has many lakes, the largest being Lake Kivu. This lake occupies the floor of the Albertine Rift along most of the length of Rwanda’s western border, and with a maximum depth of 480 metres (1,575 ft), it is one of the twenty deepest lakes in the world. Other sizeable lakes include Burera, Ruhondo, Muhazi, Rweru, and Ihema, the last being the largest of a string of lakes in the eastern plains of Akagera National Park.

Nyabarongo River – ©Adam Jones, Ph.D., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Its mountains are part of the Albertine Rift Mountains that flank the Albertine branch of the East African Rift, which runs from north to south along Rwanda’s western border. The highest peaks are found in the Virunga volcano chain in the northwest; this includes Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda’s highest point, at 14,787 feet. This western section of the country lies within the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion. It has an elevation of 1,500 to 2,500 metres. The centre of the country is predominantly rolling hills, while the eastern border region consists of savanna, plains and swamps.

Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate, with lower temperatures than are typical for equatorial countries because of its high elevation. There are two rainy seasons in the year; the first runs from February to June and the second from September to December. These are separated by two dry seasons: the major one from June to September, during which there is often no rain at all, and a shorter and less severe one from December to February. Kigali, in the centre of the country, has a typical daily temperature range between 15 °C and 28 °C, with little variation through the year. There are some temperature variations across the country; the mountainous west and north are generally cooler than the lower-lying east.

Rwanda contains three terrestrial eco-regions: Albertine Rift montane forests, Victoria Basin forest-savanna mosaic, and Ruwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands. Naturally occurring vegetation is now mostly restricted to the three national parks, with terraced agriculture dominating the rest of the country. Nyungwe, the largest remaining tract of forest, contains 200 species of tree as well as orchids and begonias. Vegetation in the Volcanoes National Park is mostly bamboo and moorland, with small areas of forest. By contrast, Akagera has a savanna ecosystem in which acacia dominates the flora. There are several rare or endangered plant species there.

Volcanoes National Park – ©CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The greatest diversity of large mammals is found in the three national parks, which are designated conservation areas. Akagera contains typical savanna animals such as giraffes and elephants, while Volcanoes is home to an estimated one-third of the worldwide mountain gorilla population. Nyungwe Forest boasts thirteen primate species including common chimpanzees and Ruwenzori colobus arboreal monkeys; the Ruwenzori colobus move in groups of up to 400 individuals, the largest troop size of any primate in Africa. South African parks donated seven lions to Akagera National Park, re-establishing a lion population in Rwanda. The lions were held initially in a fenced-off area of the park, and then collared and released into the wild a month later. Eighteen endangered black rhinos were also brought to Rwanda from South Africa. After positive results, five more black rhinos were delivered to Akagera National Park from zoos all over Europe. Similarly, the white rhino population is growing in Rwanda. It received 30 white rhinos from South Africa with the goal of Akagera being a safe breeding ground for the near-threatened species.

Birding Rwanda

There are 705 bird species in Rwanda despite its small size, with variation between the east and the west. Nyungwe Forest, in the west, has 280 recorded species, of which 26 are endemic to the Albertine Rift; endemic species include the Rwenzori Turaco and Handsome Spurfowl. Eastern Rwanda, by contrast, features savanna birds such as the Black-headed Gonolek and those associated with swamps and lakes, including storks and cranes.

It supports a higher number of Albertine Rift endemics than any other country outside the DR Congo and is undoubtedly the safest and easiest place to see Red-collared Babbler. Further, highlights include Red-Faced Barbet and the possibility of Shoebill.

Sadly, Rwanda is still remembered for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. However, since then the country has made great efforts in its development and Rwanda is now inside the top 10 safest countries to travel according to a 2017 World Economic Forum report.

Travelling is fairly easy compared to other countries in the region. There are regular flights to Kigali (capital) from several European airports. The country is very clean and has generally good accommodation at various price points. The road network is generally excellent, if a little winding in places, but allows quick access (mostly on surfaced roads) to all the major birding destinations. The national parks receive good protection and the country makes great efforts to manage the environment. Although accessible, the national parks retain a feel of adventure and the birding potential at each site is very high. The country has been birded fairly extensively, but there is always the potential to find new records for the country.

Akagera National Park  – ©Louis Dewame, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The main attractions for birders are Akagera National Park in the East and Nyungwe Forest National Park in the West. A visit to these two locations should ensure a sizable list including many desirable species. Volcanoes National Park offers similar birds to Nyungwe, but the main focus of activities there is visiting habituated Mountain Gorillas. Additionally, there are also numerous less-famous locations outside the national parks that allow easy access to good birding and most of these are set up as eBird hotspots. Kigali itself is quite a green and vegetated city. It offers some good birding for the more common East African species close to the city centre. The small lake in Nyarutarama can be quite productive with records of White-collared Oliveback and Purple Swamphen, Grey-headed Bushshrike and Bat Hawk. More detailed accounts for key birding areas and target species are provided in the Top Sites section below.

Top Sites

  • Buhanga Sacred Forest walk

    Information
    Sprawling within Nyakinama Village, at about 8 kilometers west of Musanze Town (Northern Province of Rwanda) is the verdant Buhanga Sacred Forest, one of the hidden gems with natural wonders worth discovering during Rwanda safaris.

  • Akagera National Park

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Akagera National Park (490 species) covers 108,400ha, it is a mixed park, with rolling hills, savannah, grasslands, woodland, lakes and swamps. It is located approximately 2 -3 hours from Kigali in east Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. Since 2010, Akagera NP has been managed in partnership between the Rwandan Government and African Parks. The partnership has been very successful in protecting the park and since the re-introduction of Lions (2015) and Eastern Black Rhino (2017) the park has regained its Big 5 Status. Birding in the park is excellent, specialities include the Red-faced Barbet (which is restricted to Savannas in-between the Albertine Rift and Lake Victoria), several Lake Victoria Basin endemic species - Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek, White-Winged Swamp Warbler and Carruther’s Cisticola. The Shoebill is known from the park but is hard to observe without some luck. Brown-Chested Lapwing are seen fairly regularly and other notable species include Ruaha Chat, Bennet’s Woodpecker, Crested Barbet, Miombo Wren-Warbler, Souza’s Shrike, Long-tailed Cisticola, and Cabani’s Bunting. The park is also vitally important for the conservation of Grey Crowned Cranes and is part of a rehabilitation and release program for previously captive birds. The lake shores are great places to observe water birds and raptors are also well represented across the park. Several accommodation options are available inside the, camping (tent hire available), Akagera Game Lodge, Rusizi Tented Camp and Karenge Bush Camp. A further luxury lodge is being developed. A small community run camp is available near the park entrance. Mammals: Big 5, hippo, Sitatunga, Roan Antelope, Oribi, Eland, Giraffe, Klipspringer, Hyena, Serval and several others. A 4x4 is essential to explore the park and care must be taken after rains. By arrangement at reception the park also offers night-drives which offer a good chance to see owls and nightjars and boat trips on Lake Ihema to see numerous waterbirds, herons and African Finfoot. Also see this Webpage

  • Gishwati Mukura National Park

    WebpageSatellite View
    Gishwati (232 species) and Mukura (163 species) Forests were gazetted as a national park in 2015 and are currently the focus of extensive conservation efforts to restore the landscape between these two parks. Although historically degraded, both forests offer good birding including several AREs. However, no tourism options seem to be currently available (November 2018).

  • Lake Burera & Lake Ruhndo

    Satellite View
    The twin lakes Burera and Ruhndo are not well known for their birding, but the country’s first Woodchat Shrike was observed here very recently - surprises are always possible.

  • Northern Lakes

    Satellite View
    Small lakes (232 species) in the vicinity of the volcanoes can offer some interesting birding depending on the water levels.

  • Nyungwe National Park

    WebpageSatellite View
    Nyungwe Forest (322 species) is a vast tract of forest in the southwest covering over 100,000ha, the 300ha Cyamadongo Forest (127 species) is close by. Both offer excellent birding and primate trekking. The birding includes 27 Albertine Rift Endemics (AREs), 28 if you count Willard’s Boubou. There are two routes to the forest from Kigali, both on excellent roads. The first route via Huye which is feels longer but takes you through the middle of the forest. The second route is via Karongi and Lake Kivu. Much of the forest is inaccessible. However, there is an excellent network of trails available, these are mostly based at Uwinka (in the middle of the forest) or Gisakura (at the west side). Both trail centres offer rewarding birding and due to differences in elevation offer different species. The speciality of Nyungwe is undoubtedly the Red-collared Mountain Babbler, and Nyungwe is the only safe location for this bird (try the Mt Bigugu trail). Kungwe Apalis is a poorly known species that is also best accessed at Nyungwe. A combination of a drive through the forest and birding from trails should result in a good haul of AREs, including Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, Albertine Boubou, Rwenzori Batis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Grauer's, Neumann's, Red-faced Woodland, Grauer’s Swamp Warblers, Ruwenzori and Mountain-Masked Apalises, Kivu Ground Thrush, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Archer’s Ground Robin, Red-throated Alethe, Blue-headed, Purple-breasted, Ruwenzori Double-collared and Regal Sunbirds, Strange Weaver, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwings. There is also a slim possibility of Willard’s Boubou, Congo Bay Owl, Albertine Owlet, and Rockefeller's Sunbird. In addition to the AREs there are numerous desirable bird species, Crowned Eagle Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, Buff-spotted and Red-chested Flufftails, Great Blue and Black-billed Turacos, Fraser’s Eagle Owl, Narina and Bar-tailed Trogons, Least Honeyguide, Tullberg’s and Elliot’s Woodpeckers, Lagden’s and Doherty’s Bushshrikes, White-tailed Blue, White-tailed and White-Bellied Crested Flycatchers, White-browed Crombec, Evergreen Forest and Red-faced Woodland Warbers, Olive-breasted and Kakamega Greenbuls, Waller’s, Stuhlmann’s, Sharpe’s and Slender-billed Starlings, Black-billed and Dark-backed Weavers, Oriole Finch and Kandt’s Waxbill. Violet-Backed Hyliota are also present in the forest and this species warrants close attention as the local sub-species may be a local endemic that requires further research. In addition to birds there are 13 species of primate, including Chimpanzee and Angola Colobus and numerous endemic plant species. All activities in the park must be undertaken with an official park guide who are generally very knowledgeable, however, if your primary goal is birding it is best to request a specialist bird guide, some of whom are excellent. Accommodation is mostly based at Gisakura (west of the forest) where there are a range of options from budget to luxury. Other options are available at Kitabi (east of the forest) and Cyangugu / Kamembe approximately 1 hour drive away south west. There is also an airport at Kamembe, with daily flights from Kigali. A car is very useful to get around, though local taxis are available. You don’t need a 4x4 to access the forest.

  • Rugezi Swamp

    InformationSatellite View
    The Rugezi Marsh (also known as Ruhengeri Marsh [1]) is a protected area in Rwanda, covering 6,735 hectares (16,640 acres).[2] The wetland is one of headwaters of the Nile, situated in the Northern Province within the Buberuka Highlands. At 2,100 metres (6,900 ft), the marsh is a high altitude peat bog. Close to Volcanoes NP, Rugezi Swamp (194 species) is a globally important site for Grauer’s Swamp Warbler and also supports Grey Crowned Cranes, Carruther’s Cisticola (abundant), Papyrus Canary and Papyrus Yellow Warbler has also been recorded here.

  • Volcanoes National Park

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Volcanoes National Park (200 species) is mostly known for its Gorilla Trekking. Birding is possible, but Nyungwe Forest offers the same species and more. However, Scarlet-Tufted Sunbird is best seen at the Volcanoes and a trek to the summit of Mt Bisoke is your best bet for this bird.

  • Z Other Sites

    Bugesera District (415 species) to the South East of Kigali offers excellent and easy access to many swamps which offer great birding for Papyrus dependant species and water birds. Try the Akagera Bridge, Kamatana Valley Dam, Lake Cyohoha North, Lake Gaharwa and swamps around Gashora for chances for Papyrus Gonolek (relatively common), Papyrus Canary, White-winged Swamp Warbler, White-collared Oliveback, Lesser Jacana and White-backed Duck. In addition, Red-chested Sunbird, Palm Nut Vulture, Blue-naped Mousebird, African Fish Eagle, Buff-bellied Warbler and numerous herons, egrets, ducks and geese. Mazhoza Parike and Ibanda Makera are small but significant remnants of riverine forest that were once extensive in Rwanda. Although small these are important forests for birds and still support interesting species including Purple Crested Turaco, Mountain Illadopsis, Grey-winged and Snowy Crowned Robin-Chats, Red-Headed Bluebill and Red-throated Twinspot. Lake Kivu (301 species) might be visited as a stop-over for birders. Some birding is available in hotel gardens in Rubavu and Kibuye and it might be possible to pick up a few extra species. The majority of the habitat along the shore is degraded, however it is a nice place to relax (swimming in the lake is best avoided). Kigali itself is quite green and vegetated city and offers some good birding for the more common East African Species close to the city centre. The small lake in Nyarutarama can be quite productive with fairly recent records of White-collared Oliveback and Purple Swamphen, Grey-headed Bushshrike and Bat Hawk. Swamps on the outskirts of the city (near Inyange Industries or near Ruliba Clays) can also be very productive.
Contributors

  • James Hogg

    Resident of Rwanda for 4.5 years | jwthogg[AT]googlemail.com

Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 705

    (As at August 2024)
Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Rwanda , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • Exotic Birding

    Checklist
    List of all species known to occur in the country. Table indicates whether each species is globally threatened or endangered according to the IUCN and also whether it is migratory, very rare, or accidental in the country. See sidebar for meaning of location codes and symbols associated with common names.*

  • Visit Rwanda

    Annotated List
    The list presented here is from Birds in Rwanda (Vande weghe & Vande weghe 2011). The book compiled all observations made by the authors from 1969 to 2010 and references up to 2011 with an exhaustive bibliography compilation presented at the end.

  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    This is a list of bird species recorded in Rwanda. The avifauna of Rwanda include a total of 705 confirmed species. 22 species are globally threatened, and 2 are introduced.

  • eBird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
Useful Reading

  • Birds of Africa: South of the Sahara

    | By Ian Sinclair, Peter G Ryan, Norman Arlott, Peter Hayman, Alan Harris | Random House Struik | 2010 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 767 pages, 340 plates with colour illustrations; colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781770076235 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of East Africa

    | (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi) | By Terry Stevenson, John Fanshawe, Brian E Small & John Gale | Christopher Helm | 2020 | Paperback | 640 pages, colour plates, colour distribution maps, colour & b/w maps | ISBN: 9781408157367 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • The Birders Guide to Africa

    | By Michael Mills, Tasso Leventis | Go-Away-Birding | 2017 | Paperback | 544 pages, colour photos, 2 colour maps | ISBN: 9780620717250 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Wild Rwanda

    | (Where to Watch Birds, Primates, and Other Wildlife) | By Ken Behrens, Christian Boix & Keith Barnes | Lynx Edicions | 2015 | Paperback | 256 pages, 160+ colour photos, colour maps | ISBN: 9788496553965 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding Aps

  • eGuide to Birds of East Africa

    Apple iOS | Android
    The eGuide to Birds of East Africa is an interactive companion to Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe's Birds of East Africa field guide – the essential guide for birdwatchers visiting this spectacular region. It covers Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. This application has specific features that will enhance your birding experience.

    NB: Update 1.1.0 requires an additional download of 433MB to include new and updated content. If the update does not specify a download of 433MB (e.g. the download is 390MB) please uninstall the app first and then install from Google Play again. Please back up your life list before applying update 1.1.0.
Organisations

  • African Bird Club

    Website
    Since the days of Diane Fossey, Rwanda has been recognised as one of the best places to view gorillas, but few people know any more about the country than just this. Those that visit tend to hop across the north-western border with Uganda, to track gorillas in the Volcans National Park near Ruhengeri. This is one of the best sites to see Ladgen

  • Association pour la Conservation de la Nature au Rwanda

    Facebook Page
    ACNR is a membership association with currently 135 members from all over the country. 14 Nature or

  • Nature Rwanda

    Facebook Page
    Nature Rwanda is dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems in a way that fosters a sustainable future, and leads to social and economic transformation while addressing issues that threaten the coexistence of humans and nature.

  • Rwanda Birding Club

    Facebook Page
    This group posts pictures and discusses aspects of birding in Rwanda. Under the files section of the page there are up to date bird lists for Rwanda. The lists are available in PDF or Excel. These lists are updated versions of “Birds in Rwanda, An Atlas and Handbook – Vande weghe and Vande weghe – 2011” which is available at the Rwanda Development Board offices, National Park Receptions and bookshops in Rwanda, it is a very informative book and the best source of information on birds in Rwanda.

  • Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association

    Website
    Working tirelessly for Rwandan wildlife since 2015
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • NP Akagera

    InformationSatellite View
    Akagera National Park is a little piece of heaven found in North Eastern Rwanda, at the country’s border with Tanzania. It is dominated by swamps and small lakes with flow in the wake of River Kagera. All the water sources work together to create a piece of spectacular scenery. It is quite a remarkable eco-system. The Park was obviously named after River Kagera.

  • NP Gishwati-Mukura

    InformationSatellite View
    Here visitors can experience not only chimpanzee and primate tracking, pristine montane forests and some of Rwanda’s most exciting birding, but can also engage with friendly, rural people and know that their visit will make a difference!

  • NP Nyungwe

    InformationSatellite View
    The forest has 300 species of birds with 27 Albertine rift endemics and 121 forest species. The flora is particularly rich with 200 species of trees and more than 100 species of orchids! The park has an extensive network of walking trails that leads you through various waterfalls and viewing points. Nyungwe offers scenic views over the forest, lake Kivu and sometimes also the Virunga…

  • NP Volcanoes

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Travellers are once again making their way to the beautiful bamboo and rainforest-covered slopes of this volcano-crowded national park in Rwanda's northwest…
Sightings, News & Forums
Guides & Tour Operators

  • African Birding Expeditions

    Tour Operator
    We offer excellent Uganda Birding Tours, Birding safaris in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and entire East African region. With a professional and passionate team in organizing Birding safaris in Uganda, our birding tours and Africa birding expeditions are top rated in the region, giving travelers unique insights into the over 1000 bird species in East Africa including hard-to-find shoebill storks communicated in a deeply infectious manner that leaves you in awe and with a new found respect for these gentle vertebrates.

  • Akagera National Park

    Local Tour Operator

  • Avian Safaris

    Tour Operator
    We set out to do something different; to offer quality guided birding expeditions which are far from the ordinary, customised, unique, relaxed, energetic, bonding and indulgent for individuals, families and groups

  • Birding Rwanda

    Local Tour Operator
    We are a tourism company specialised in birdwatching tours. Since 2012 we have developed and run tours that provide our guests with birding experiences in Rwanda. Our birding tours are sometimes combined with tracking mountain gorilla, historical and educational tours.

  • Cisticola

    Tour Operator
    The Rwanda Birding Tour can be combined with the Uganda Birding Safari to make our famous Best of Uganda and Rwanda Birding Tour.

  • East African Jungle Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Featuring over 750 species of birds the small country Rwanda is a heaven for birders.

  • Kabira Safaris Africa

    Tour Operator
    Birding in Rwanda: Best Bird Watching Tours & Destinations

  • Kagera Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Birdwatching in Rwanda

  • Mission Africa Safaris

    Local Tour Operator
    Mission Africa Safaris is a leading tour company registered in Uganda. We help put together exciting safaris in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Our expereinced and knowledgeable guides/office personnel will ensure you have a memorable time while on your tour. Our packages include bird watching, game drives, nature walks, mountain hiking, gorilla tracking. cultural visits among many other. We give affordable rates to our clients and incorporate a personal touch and quality while dealing with our clients - You can be one of them.

  • Nkuringo Safaris

    Local Tour Operator
    Bird Watching In Rwanda: Discovering The Best Places For Birding Adventures

  • Standard Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Birds being met by each twist of the eye; Uganda and Rwanda are one of the top birding destinations in the continent of Africa; together with over 2060 unique bird species; and 10% species of the world’s total bird population. Think of the rare; Shoebill stock, sitatunga, Ostrich, cranes, Turacos, falcons, caracaras, eagles, buttonquails, kites, papyrus yellow warbler, and so much more; Uganda; the pearl of Africa is the Place to be; located east of the continent of Africa, neighbored by Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

  • Tropical Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    Despite being small and having no ocean coastline, Uganda supports more than 1000 species, which has earned this country its deserved reputation as a “birder’s Eden”.

  • Twinspot Tours

    Tour Operator
    Twinspot Tours and Travel specializes in providing exceptional birdwatching experiences in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda showcasing the diverse avian life that our beautiful region has to offer.

  • Volcanoes Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Nyungwe Forest This massive montane forest, in southern Rwanda, the largest in Central Africa, has thirteen species of primate including chimpanzee, Rwenzori colobus and l`Hoest`s monkey. The colobus live in large groups, including a four hundred-strong semi-habituated group thought to be the largest troop of arboreal primates in Africa. Around 300 bird species, 24 of which are regional endemics and over 100 varieties of orchids and butterflies are other attractions…

  • Wildlife Tours Rwanda

    Local Tour Operator
    Rwanda has approximately 735 bird species including 44 Albertine rift endemics plus 4 pure endemics; the avitourism potential has been over shadowed by the gorilla tourism dominance and lack of publicity, awareness about birding products and good birding guides...
Trip Reports

  • 2017 [05 May] - Heinz Ortmann

    PDF Report
    This short extension to the small, vibrant and land-locked East African country of Rwanda was aspecial experience. From an emotion-filled visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial to the once-in-alifetimeinteraction with Mountain Gorillas, and finally the vast bird-rich forest of Nyungwe NationalPark, we were treated to an amazing time. The variety of activities and substantial time walking thetrails of some beautiful forest provided the guests with an incredible experience of this prosperingnation.

  • 2018 [02 February] - Crammy Wanyama

    PDF Report
    Rwanda is a birder’s heaven, the diversity of habitats here host some of the most sought after birds on the continent, a prime example is the Albertine rift ranges which harbour several of the regional endemics and yet the local authority does good maintenance of designated trails that make it easy to find them.

  • 2019 [07 July] - Mike Bowman

    PDF Report
    This was my first visit to Rwanda and I had been looking forward to discovering the country for the first time. Before setting out for Akagera I kept my eyes open for birds within the city of Kigali.

  • 2021 [12 December] - Birding Rwanda

    PDF Report
    Fourteen Days Primates, Albertine Endemic and Papyrus-restricted birds Tour in Rwanda

  • 2022 [02 February] - Birding Rwanda

    PDF Report
    Ten Days in Rwanda: Primates, Albertine Rift Endemics, Papyrus-dwellers and Savannah Birds Tour

  • 2023 [07 July] - Rob Gordijn

    PDF Report
    There is a few Albertine rift endemics with a tiny chance that were “missed” (Shelleys Crimsonwing, Rockefeller Sunbird, Itombwe Owl, Albertine Owlet), Claver told us he only hears the Albertine Owlet during the rainy season in Nyungwe but he didn’t think it was possible during our visit and he told us he saw Rockefeller sunbird only a few times (during the 20 years he birded in the park).

  • 2023 [09 September] - Nick Buys

    Report
    The main focus of our Rwanda Birding and Mammal tour was to see the key primates and as many birds and mammals as possible. With limited birding time we still managed to see most of the targets and some great mammals as well.

  • 2024 [06 June] - Nature Travel Birding

    Report
    The tour’s main objective was birding Rwanda’s various ecosystems. Our targets were birds of the savannah, papyrus-specialist birds, and the endemic species of the Albertine Rift, in addition to large African mammals including Giraffe, Buffalo, and Elephant.
Other Links

  • Birding in Nyungwe National Park

    Webpage
    With over 300 species of birds recorded in the national park, which include resident species, migratory species, and the Albertine endemic species, birding safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park are set to be very rewarding.

  • Birding in Volcanoes National Park

    Webpage
    Current statistics show that Rwanda has over 700 bird species, with about 45% of them accounted for by Volcanoes National Park, making it a prime destination for birding enthusiasts.
Blogs

  • Jared Cole - Rwanda on the Wing

    BLOG
    A blog about my experience with birds, ecology, and sustainability in Rwanda… Last updated July 2013

  • Marcell Claassen - Birding Rwanda

    BLOG
    BLOG from Marcell Claassen - Living in Rwanda almost 4 years now. 10 years guiding experience in East and Southern Africa. **Birding excursions of varying length can also be combined with and/or built into existing itineraries…

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