Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. At Lake Kivu, you have the option of going on bird walks, kayaking, windsurfing, jet-skiing, traditional fishing, visiting tea and coffee farms, […]
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, and the largest forest in Rwanda, covering 1,019 km2 of dense Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, grasslands and wetlands. The park feeds two of the world’s largest rivers, the Congo and the Nile, and provides a significant portion of Rwanda’s fresh water. Over 1,100 recorded plant species, […]
Volcanoes National Park
Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. Tracking endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rain […]
Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is the ideal place to be for any visitor who wishes to see wildlife animals in Rwanda, especially the Big Five animals. The national park sits on a 1,122 square kilometer piece of land and has over 8,000 large wildlife animals including elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos.
Birding and Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Two exceptional wildlife experiences in one journey Rwanda is unusual in allowing travelers to combine specialist African birding with mountain gorilla trekking without requiring a multi-country expedition. A well-planned itinerary can move from Albertine Rift forest birding to the Virunga volcanoes, while also adding savannah and wetland birding in Akagera and around Kigali. Mountain gorillas […]
Rwanda Bird Checklist and Target Species
Planning a Rwanda target list A Rwanda bird checklist is most useful when it is organized by habitat and destination rather than treated as one enormous list. The country combines Albertine Rift montane forest, savannah, wetlands, lakes, woodland and cultivated landscapes. A birder visiting Nyungwe, Akagera and Kigali therefore encounters very different bird communities. Nyungwe […]
Best Time for Birding in Rwanda
Rwanda is a year-round birding destination There is no single month when Rwanda’s birds suddenly become ‘available’. Resident species can be found throughout the year, and a well-designed birding trip can be rewarding in any season. The best travel period depends on whether your priorities are Albertine Rift endemics, migrant birds, photography, easier trail conditions, […]
Albertine Rift Endemic Birds in Rwanda
Why the Albertine Rift matters The Albertine Rift is the western branch of the East African Rift and one of Africa’s most important centres of biodiversity and endemism. In Rwanda, its mountains and montane forests provide habitat for birds with restricted regional ranges, making the country especially attractive to birders who travel specifically to find […]
Birding Around Kigali
Birdwatching begins in Rwanda’s capital Kigali is more than a gateway to Rwanda’s national parks. Gardens, wetlands, open areas and restored habitats make the city and its surroundings useful birding territory in their own right. For international visitors, this means the bird list can begin on the first morning of the trip rather than after […]
Birding in Akagera National Park
Rwanda’s great savannah and wetland birding destination Akagera National Park gives birders a completely different experience from Rwanda’s montane forests. Located in eastern Rwanda, the park contains savannah, woodland, lakes, wetlands and riverine habitats. Official Rwanda tourism information reports more than 500 bird species for Akagera, making it one of the country’s richest birding areas. […]