Birding in Volcanoes national park Rwanda

Are you interested in booking a birding safari to Volcanoes National Park? Well, Volcanoes national park is among the Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Rwanda with the rare Albertine rift endemic bird species. With a help of your professional birding guide, look out for spectacular birds of Virunga and don’t forget to carry your binocular to view small species from a distance and camera to capture some nice photos.

Volcanoes National Park is famous for mountain gorilla trekking experiences in Rwanda however; there are lots of exotic activities to engage in. The park forms part of the Virunga volcanoes that is shared amongst Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Volcanoes national park is ever green with bamboo, grassland areas, swamp and heath vegetation.

The mountain gorillas are the main attraction in volcanoes national park Rwanda with gorilla trekking happening throughout the year. The park is nestled on a high altitude hence it is generally cold, therefore, don’t forget to carry a light sweater during your birding tours.

Bird species in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park hosts over 200 bird species with a number of Albertine rift endemics. Below is a list of bird species in Volcanoes national park; Baglafecht weaver, Bateleur, Blue-spotted wood dove, Dusky turtle dove, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Red-backed shrike, Dusky crimsonwing, African long-eared owl, Archer’s robin-chat, Brown woodland warbler, Brown-necked parrot, Doherty’s bush-shrike, Ruwenzori turaco, Handsome francolin, Lagden’s bush-shrike, Red-faced woodland warbler, crested barbet, palm nut vulture, red chested sunbird, Ruwenzori apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, Strange weaver, Ruwenzori nightjar, nirana trogon, lesser honey guide, black cuckoo-shrike, brown-backed honey bird, African swamphen, bat hawk, grey-headed bushrike among others.

Best Time to go birding in Volcanoes national park

Birdwatching in Volcanoes national park Rwanda can be done throughout the year however the park is always wet and misty. Therefore, the best time to go birding in Volcanoes national park is during the dry season that runs from June to August, and December to February when rains are less expected. This is also the best time for gorilla trekking and other park activities. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Where to stay in Volcanoes national park on your birding tour Rwanda

Volcanoes national park has a number of accommodations ranging from budget, midrange to luxury safari lodges. If you are looking at booking a birding tour to Volcanoes national park, you may stay in camps and lodge of Kinigi, Musanze and some as far as an hour from the park headquarters. Below is a list of lodges in Volcanoes national park;

• Bisate Lodge
• Virunga lodge
• Le bambou gorilla lodge
• Sabyinyo silverback lodge
• One & Only Gorilla Nest
• Kwitonda Lodge
• Mountain gorilla view lodge
• Kinigi guesthouse
• Garden place hotel
• Muhabura hotel

What to pack for birding tour in Volcanoes national park Rwanda?

Are you ready for your birding safari in Volcanoes national park Rwanda? Check on what to pack for your birdwatching experience in Rwanda with Africa Adventure Vacations. These include the following;

1. Binoculars for zooming small birds from a distance
2. Good camera to enable you take as many photos as possible
3. Field Clothes such the rain gear, gardening gloves, hiking boots/shoes among others. We strongly encourage birders to pack light, closed and waterproof shoes.
4. Several toiletries like tissues, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, hair gels and sanitary wear for the case of women.
5. Pack insect repellants to protect you from dangerous insect bites
6. Extra batteries and power bank to avoid your gadgets from blacking out in the middle of the experience
7. Several toiletries like tissues, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, hair gels and sanitary wear for the case of women.

Other top things to do in Volcanoes national park Rwanda

Besides bird watching safari in Volcanoes national Rwanda, travelers can do the following activities;

• Gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park
• Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park
• Mountain hiking in Volcanoes national park (Hike Mt Karisimbi and Mt Bisoke)
• Hiking Musanze Caves
• Dian Fossey tomb tour
• Cultural tours