Birding Tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Birding Tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park: Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park is a fantastic place to go bird watching. The diversity of colorful species flying around will astound casual birders, while devoted bird-watchers will have the opportunity to tick off numerous lifers. It’s worth asking for a specialized birding guide at the park’s headquarters because they can identify many species based on their calls.
This national park, unlike the others, is located in the Albertine Rift valley eco-region and is well-known for its plant cover as well as being home to a variety of bird species. Nyungwe also has over 310 bird species.
Among these 26 are Grauer’s Rush warbler, which thrives in inaccessible swamps, Rwenzori Turaco, which can be identified by their loud repetitive calls in the forest, rare sun birds such as blue headed sun bird, purple breasted sun bird, Rwenzori night jars, Archers Robin chat, and Handsome Francolin. The bird melodies and cries will captivate you and make your birding experience more enjoyable.
Many Albertine Rift endemics and birds’ peculiar to the highland forest environment are of particular importance. Albertine owlet, red-collared babbler, and Rockefeller’s sunbird are three birds that have never been seen on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift.
Birding Tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
However, due to the depth of the Nyungwe forest, it can be difficult to spot the birds, and most of them prefer to stay on top of the canopy rather than inside the forest. If you’re on a Rwanda birding safari, your guide will also help you identify the many different species you’ll see while going through the forest and along the many different regions where the birds are commonly observed. Bigugu Mountain, for example, includes a canopy walk with a good view of the canopy and the chance of seeing many birds at the top of the trees.
There are many more sites to explore, such as the Karamba area near Gisakura, the Kamiranzovu wetland, and the Gisakura tea estate. Visitors may also expect to have a nice time since they will see not only birds but also other animals, tree species, and other interesting things that will make the trip worthwhile.
Birding tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park, like in any other east African country, have been a popular tourist activity, resulting in numerous monkeys and other safaris where you can even fly to a specific spot to view anything you want to see, including gorillas, in one day. A birding safari, on the other hand, needs the visitor to stay in the nation for longer periods of time, which also implies that you will spend more money on your safari.
Notable Bird species in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Notable birds’ species in Nyungwe Forest National Park include;
- Regal Sunbird
- Red-throated Alethe
- Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher
- Great Blue Turaco
- Barred long tailed cuckoo
- White tailed Flycatcher
- Kungwe Apalis
- Red-collared Babbler
Red-collared Babbler - Ruwenzori Apalis
- Mountain sooty Boubou
- Albertine Owlet
- Neumann’s Warbler
- Ruwenzori Batis
- Handsome Francolin
- Stripe-breasted Tit
- Shelley’s Crimson wing
- Ruwenzori Nightjar
- Dusky Crimson Wing
- Archer’s Robin-chat
What is the best time for Birding Tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The birding tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park is superb all year. Because so much of forest birding relies on sounds, the ideal months are March to May, when birds are at their most vociferous. Many birds nurse their fledglings and remain silent from June to September, finally becoming vocally active again in January or February. April is the wettest month, and birding logistics may become difficult as paths become quite slick.
How much does Birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
Birdwatching at Nyungwe Forest National Park costs $40 for non-residents, $20 for foreign residents, and $5 for Rwandans. These prices are per person per day, and birders who spend two or more days on a birding excursion in Nyungwe Forest National Park receive a 50% discount on entry fees.
Where to stay during your birding tour in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The major hotel options in Nyungwe Forest National Park are the Nyungwe Forest Lodge for luxury, Kitabi College Guest House, Gisakura Guest House for Budget, and Nyungwe Top View Lodge for Mid-Luxury. Campers and night watchers will find the best campsites along the main road and in the woodland near the Uwinka and Gisakura receptions.
What to pack for your birding tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
When arranging your Nyungwe Forest National Park bird viewing tours, bring your bird checklist, binoculars, a hat/cap, long trousers/shirts, sunscreen and insect repellent cream, food, water bottle, a decent pair of hiking boots, a light raincoat/jacket (in case it rains), and a camera.
Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park is a popularly visited protected region that is one of seven Important Birding Areas (IBAs) that should be on your itinerary. It is a home for a vast array of woods and rare species, allowing avid bird watchers to experience once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
Furthermore, there are several pristine forest species, including the stunning chimpanzees and others that comprise the park’s 13 primates; this means that visitors not only view rare birds but also remarkable apes. Don’t pass up the opportunity to discover this gorgeous national park’s hidden gem.
