​Birds – Volcanoes 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.

With about 180 species recorded, Volcanoes National Park offers good birding. However, most of the park’s special birds can also be seen in Nyungwe Forest, which is better set-up for birding. A local specialty is the vulnerable swamp-dwelling Grauer’s swamp warbler and at least 16 Albertine Rift endemics (birds restricted to the Albertine Rift) are present, including handsome francolin, Ruwenzori turaco and Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, and Archer’s robin-chat.

Notable Birds in Volcanoes NP
› ‹
Baglafecht weaver
Common
Bateleur
Common
Blue-spotted wood dove
Common
Cinnamon-chested bee-eater
Common
Red-backed shrike
Common

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

Facts & Figures

Birds in Volcanoes NP
Bird Species
180+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr

Best Time for Bird Watching

The birdlife in Volcanoes National Park is good year-round, but the volcanoes are especially wet and often shrouded in mist. This means that birding in this area is easiest during the Dry season, from June to August, and to a lesser extent December and January when it rains slightly less. This is also the best time for gorilla trekking. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Want to Visit Volcanoes NP?

Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Volcanoes NP
Bird Species
180+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr