Rwanda is a fantastic birding destination with more than 700 species recorded within an area smaller than Belgium. The mountain birding in Rwanda is arguably the best on the continent. Of specific interest are the 29 Albertine Rift endemics, all of which are present in the high-altitude rainforest area in and around Nyungwe National Park. Many of them can be found in Volcanoes and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks too.
Endemic & Albertine Rift Endemic Birds
Rwanda has no endemic birds.(ARE) Albertine Rift endemic = only lives in the Albertine Rift
- Albertine boubou (ARE)
- Albertine owlet (ARE)
- Archer’s robin-chat (ARE)
- Black-faced apalis (ARE)
- Blue-headed sunbird (ARE)
- Congo bay owl (ARE)
- Dusky crimsonwing (ARE)
- Grauer’s swamp warbler (ARE)
- Grauer’s warbler (ARE)
- Handsome francolin (ARE)
- Kivu ground thrush (ARE)
- Kungwe apalis (ARE)
- Neumann’s warbler (ARE)
- Purple-breasted sunbird (ARE)
- Red-collared babbler (ARE)
- Red-faced woodland warbler (ARE)
- Red-throated alethe (ARE)
- Regal sunbird (ARE)
- Rockefeller’s sunbird (ARE)
- Ruwenzori apalis (ARE)
- Ruwenzori batis (ARE)
- Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird (ARE)
- Ruwenzori nightjar (ARE)
- Ruwenzori turaco (ARE)
- Schouteden’s swift (ARE)
- Strange weaver (ARE)
- Stripe-breasted tit (ARE)
- Willard’s sooty boubou (ARE)
- Yellow-eyed black flycatcher (ARE)
Best Time for Bird Watching
From a birding perspective, Rwanda is a fine destination any time of the year, especially since the main draw here are the resident birds. Most of Rwanda’s special birds can be found in Nyungwe; the birding is best here from January to June as most birds are vocal at that time. April is extremely wet, however, so logistics can become challenging. The Dry season months from June to September are easier, as forest trails are drier and hiking is less difficult. This is also the best time for gorilla trekking.
Best Parks for Birding Includes Birding Rating
The combination of Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks is perfect for a birding tour in Rwanda. Most of Rwanda’s birds are found in one or the other park. Nyungwe has many and forest specials, while Akagera is rich in general birds, including raptors and waterbirds found around the park’s sizable lakes.
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Nyungwe NP
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Akagera NP
Recommended Birding Books
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Birds in Rwanda: An Atlas & Handbook
An essential buy; comprehensive but cumbersome for field use.
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Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi
The best field guide that includes complete coverage of Rwanda.
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eGuide to Birds of East Africa (app)
The app version of the above book is comprehensive for Rwanda.
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Birds of Africa: South of the Sahara
Complete for Rwanda but the vast scope makes it cumbersome.
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Wild Rwanda: Where To Watch Birds, Primates, & Other Wildlife
A ‘how to’ guide that’s essential for serious birders.