Bird species in Nyungwe Forest National Park stands at over 300 different species recorded, including 27 species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Three of these, the Albertine owlet, red-collared babbler, and Rockefeller’s sunbird, are unrecorded elsewhere on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift.
Nyungwe forest is recognized as an IBA (Important Bird Area) by Birdlife International, and is also a delight for birdwatchers. Foremost is one of the most ancient anywhere in Africa, since they were unaffected by the drier conditions that afflicted many lower-lying forests during the last ice age. As a result, they support a large number of species that occur nowhere else in the world and are generally referred to as Albertine Rift Endemics. Book Now
Birds in Nyungwe Forests- Photo by: One &Only Rwanda/Nyungwe House
Birdspecies in Nyungwe Forest National Park stands at over 300 different speciesrecorded, including 27 species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Three of these,the Albertine owlet, red-collared babbler, and Rockefeller’s sunbird, areunrecorded elsewhere on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift.
Forest birding is never easy, but the wide road running through the park offers a great vantage point into the canopy. Of specific interest are the many Albertine Rift endemics (birds restricted to the Albertine Rift). Nyungwe Forest National Park is a wonderful birding area that lies in south-west Rwanda between Lake Kivu and the international border with Burundi.
The Park is divided north-south by a line of mountains that reach 2,600–2,900 m and which form part of the Congo–Nile watershed. As a result, Nyungwe is composed of two areas differing in pedology, vegetation, water-flow, and biodiversity.
For birdwatchers, March and April are excellent months for bird watching, partly because resident birds are boosted by a large number of passage migrants, but also because it is the main breeding season, and several species are at their most colorful and conspicuous.
For birdwatchers whose main interest is non-migrant species, May is a good month to visit Nyungwe National Park and Rwanda at large, because it falls into the main breeding season, and several species are at their most colorful and conspicuous. The resident bird species in Nyungwe Forest are boosted by a large number of Palaearctic migrants between November and April.
During the bird-watching trek, no meals are included with the walk, but you’ll be served a light breakfast, or lunch, at your lodge prior to leaving for your walk. Do remember to take plenty of water with you for the walk and all the necessary gear to help you in sighting great birds around Nyungwe Forests.
A lot of bird species can as well be sighted in Akagera National Park while on a Lake Ihema Boat ride, an amazing encounter of hundreds of unique species can be identified. Majority birders to Rwanda also visit volcanoes National Park for a gorilla safaris in Rwanda, meeting the rare mountain gorillas, one of the most desired experiences for every adventure lover.