7 DAYS BIRDING SAFARI IN RWANDA.
Overview.
This safari rewards you with the best Rwandan birds, taking you to three national parks that are good spotting points for these bird species. Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera national parks harbour over 700 bird species and Nyungwe national park has Albertine endemics which cannot be found elsewhere in Rwanda.
Birds that can be spotted during this safari are; African hawk-eagle, black-bellied bustard, Chestnut Owlet, Olive Woodpeckers, Little grebe among others.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Akagera national park.
On your arrival, welcomed by the driver guide at Kigali international airport and have a short briefing from this bird guide, straight away start the safari to Akagera national park.
Akagera boosts over 525 bird species both savannah birds and water birds. This is because River Akagera passes in the park supplying water to the wildlife and Lake Ihema. On arrival, transfer to the lodge for your night stay.
Day 2: Whole day birding in Akagera National Park.
Immediately after breakfast head to the forest with a pair of binoculars and drinking water to keep you fresh and start the day of birding in Akagera National Park. Also, take a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to explore more birds in this park.
Spot birds like cattle Egret, Hamerkop, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, and Pied Crow among others.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National park.
Transfer to volcanoes national park after breakfast and take an en route birding expeditions. Volcanoes national park has over 300 bird species that can be spotted all around the park.
Among others, we can spot Rwenzori turaco, the Archer’s ground robin, the red-faced woodland warbler, the dusky crimson-wing and Rwenzori double collared sunbird.
Day 4: Birding in Volcanoes National Park.
Start birding in Volcanoes National Park this morning after breakfast. Start with a briefing and then follow demarcated birding trails leading to the forest to spot famous bird residents here.
With the help of the bird guide from the park, you will spot birds like Grauer’s rush warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double – collared Sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver and dusky crimson-wing.
Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe N/Park.
Start the birding journey to Nyungwe forest after breakfast and spot different birds while on the way. Arrive in Nyungwe and take an evening bird watching expedition around the safari lodge or any other type of accommodation booked.
Day 6: Birding in Nyungwe NP.
Take a walk through the forest as you search for unique bird species in this national park. The park harbours over 310 bird species, all confined in the park with 121 forest birds, 27 Albertine rift endemics and among other birds spotted here include Great Blue and Ruwenzori Turacos, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Stripe-breasted Tit, the remarkable Red-collared Babbler, Archer's Robin-Chat among others. In the evening, you have the option of taking a canopy walk to enjoy more bird sightings and verdant tree species in the forest.
Day 7: Transfer back to Kigali.
Take a brief morning birding expedition in Nyungwe forest and then breakfast which will be followed with a check out of the accommodation. Start the journey to Kigali. The driver / guide will drop you at the airport as you wait for your scheduled flight.