Rwanda has recorded 703 bird species, including 29 Albertine Rift Endemics: birds found nowhere else on Earth outside this narrow band of highland forest straddling Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and eastern DR Congo. For a small country, that endemic count makes Rwanda one of the most rewarding montane birding destinations in Africa.
Key facts
- 703 recorded species, including 29 Albertine Rift Endemics
- Nyungwe National Park alone holds 322 species
- Akagera National Park has recorded 490 species
- Volcanoes National Park holds around 200 species, including 17 Albertine Rift Endemics
- The Red-collared Babbler is found safely only in Nyungwe within Rwanda
Top birding sites
Nyungwe National Park: one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and Rwanda’s premier birding site, home to the Red-collared Babbler alongside the Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin and numerous sunbird species. Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s savanna park, with lakes and wetlands supporting strong raptor and waterbird numbers and the range-restricted Red-faced Barbet. Volcanoes National Park: montane birding on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, including the Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, found in Rwanda only here, often combined with gorilla or golden monkey trekking. Kigali wetlands and Lake Kivu: convenient, productive birding for travellers with limited time.
Star species
The Red-collared Babbler and Red-faced Barbet are Rwanda’s headline rarities, alongside the Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco and a long list of Albertine Rift Endemics concentrated in Nyungwe and the Virunga slopes.
When to go
Birding is rewarding year-round, with the drier months (June-September and December-February) offering easier trail conditions in Nyungwe and the Virungas, and the wetter months bringing peak breeding activity and lusher forest.
Why go birding in Rwanda?
Rwanda is small but rich in birds, with mountain forest, wetlands and savanna in a compact country. It is one of the best places in Africa to see Albertine Rift endemics and is easy to combine with gorilla trekking and other wildlife. Roads are good, distances are short and guiding is of high quality.
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe is Rwanda's key birding site, a vast mountain rainforest holding many Albertine Rift endemics and a long list of montane forest birds. Walks along forest trails and the canopy walkway give access to species that live high in the trees. The park is also home to chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, so birding mixes naturally with primates.
Volcanoes National Park and Gishwati-Mukura
Volcanoes National Park offers highland species and bamboo forest birds, with the chance to combine a birding walk with gorilla trekking or golden monkey tracking. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a recovering forest with chimpanzees, monkeys and endemic birds, and it is a good quiet addition for birders.
Akagera and wetland birding
Akagera National Park has lakes, papyrus swamps and savanna, and close to 500 bird species have been recorded there. Shoebills can be found in the papyrus, along with African fish eagles, storks, herons and many waterbirds. A boat trip on Lake Ihema is a highlight, and the park adds lions, elephants and rhinos to the day list.
Rwanda birding route and timing
A sensible route runs from Kigali to Volcanoes, then to Gishwati or Nyungwe, then to Akagera. The drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, are easiest for forest walks, and the wetter months bring lush scenery and migrants. See our birding safaris and key birds pages.
Birding by season in Rwanda
Rwanda is good for birding all year. The dry months, roughly June to September and December to February, make forest walks easier, while the wetter months bring lush scenery, breeding birds and migrants. Nyungwe's weather changes quickly at any time, so bring a rain jacket and layers.
Birding with gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda
A Rwanda birding safari can combine gorilla trekking in Volcanoes, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, a boat trip on Lake Ihema in Akagera and a walk along the canopy walkway. We arrange early morning birding sessions and rest in the afternoons, so serious birders and non-birders enjoy the same trip. See our Rwanda safaris and primate safaris pages.
Rwanda birding checklist: the species to look for
Key targets include Albertine Rift endemics in Nyungwe and Volcanoes, forest species such as turacos and sunbirds, wetland birds like the shoebill and papyrus gonolek at Akagera and a long list of raptors. Rwanda's small size means you can see a lot in a few days, and your guide can build a target list that fits your time.
Sample 7 day Rwanda birding route
Begin in Kigali with a short wetland morning, then travel to Volcanoes for forest birds and gorilla trekking or golden monkeys. Continue to Nyungwe for montane forest birds and chimpanzees, with a canopy walk, and finish at Akagera for savanna, lake and papyrus birds. The route fits into a week and combines birds with the best primate and wildlife experiences in the country.
Where to stay for birding in Rwanda
Choose lodges that open early for birding breakfasts and sit close to the best trails. Volcanoes and Nyungwe have lodges ranging from comfortable to luxurious, and Akagera has lakeside camps with sunrise views. We select lodges that suit both serious birders and travellers who just enjoy the setting.
Planning a birding trip in Rwanda
Nyungwe and Volcanoes hold most of the Albertine Rift endemics, while Akagera adds savanna and papyrus species. Allow five to seven days, hire a specialist guide and travel in the drier months for easier trails. See Rwanda safaris and gorilla trekking in Rwanda to combine them.
Plan your Rwanda birding safari
Birding combines naturally with gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in a single Rwanda itinerary. Visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected], or see our wider Birding Safaris page for bookable itineraries.
