​Birds – Akagera NP

Ariadne van Zandbergen
Expert
By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Rwanda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Rwanda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Rwanda.

Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Rwanda.

Akagera National Park offers fantastic birding. Of the 480 species recorded, 100 birds are not found in any other protected area in the country. Akagera is Rwanda’s second most important birding site after Nyungwe National Park, and the two parks complement each other perfectly – most birds recorded in Rwanda can be found in one of the parks. A boat trip on Lake Ihema is a must for serious and casual birders alike. The highlight is a small island where thousands of birds, including cormorants, darters, herons, ibises and African openbills, roost.

Notable Birds in Akagera NP
› ‹
African fish eagle
Common
Black-headed gonolek
Common
Marabou stork
Common
Sooty chat
Common
White-browed coucal
Common

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

Facts & Figures

Birds in Akagera NP
Bird Species
480+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr

Best Time for Bird Watching

The birdlife in Akagera National Park is good year-round. Each season offers a different array of species. The Dry season, from June to September, is best for francolins, many wetland birds, nightjars and owls. The early rainy season, in October, is best for lapwings and many open grassland birds. Songbirds are most active from September to November and again in March and April. Colonial breeding waterbirds, such as cormorants, darters, herons, storks and ibises, mainly breed from February to July. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Want to Visit Akagera NP?

Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Akagera NP
Bird Species
480+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr