3 Days Rwanda Bird Watching in Rwanda takes you through some of the country’s top birding destinations, offering a chance to spot an impressive variety of bird species in different habitats. From the wetlands of Nyarutarama Lake to the savannas of Akagera National Park and the forests of Mount Kigali, this tour is perfect for birding enthusiasts eager to explore Rwanda’s rich avifauna.
Highlights of the 3 Days Rwanda Bird Watching
- Birding at Nyarutarama Lake
- Diverse Habitats
- Raptors and Woodland Birds
- Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
- Savanna Birding in Akagera
- Rare Papyrus Endemics
- Shoebill Sightings
- Birding on Mount Kigali
Day 1: Birding in Nyarutarama and Transfer to Akagera National Park
Your adventure begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Kigali by our representative. After breakfast, you will be driven to Nyarutarama Lake, located near the Kigali Golf Course. This lake, surrounded by pathways, offers an excellent opportunity for birdwatching, particularly for water species.
Here, you will encounter a variety of water birds, including the Yellow-billed Duck, Squacco Heron, White-faced Whistling Duck, Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Teal, African Spoonbill, Spur-winged Geese, Little Grebe, Common Moorhen, Hadada Ibis, Black Crake, Black Egret, Cattle Egret, and Black-headed Heron. Additionally, the lake’s fringes host numerous other bird species such as the Black Kite, African Fish Eagle, Pygmy Kingfisher, White-browed Coucal, Grey-capped Warbler, Winding Cisticola, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Paradise Flycatcher, African Hobby, and Swamp Flycatcher.
Further to the east of the lake, the acacia woodlands provide habitat for raptors like the Mountain Buzzard, along with various smaller birds such as Swifts, Martins, Swallows, and Sunbirds.
After an enriching birding experience, you will be transferred to Akagera National Park, arriving in the afternoon. You will check in at Akagera Game Lodge and have lunch before heading out for a boat ride on Lake Ihema. This boat trip offers a fantastic opportunity to spot more water bird species, including the elusive African Finfoot.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range) or Ruziza Tented Camp.
Day 2: Bird Watching in Akagera National Park
After an early breakfast, you will embark on a full-day birding excursion within Akagera National Park. The park is home to an incredible diversity of bird species, particularly those adapted to savanna and wetland habitats. As you explore the birding tracks, you will have opportunities to spot some of the region’s most spectacular birds.
Among the common sightings are the Lilac-breasted Roller, Crested Barbet, Black-headed Gonolek, Ross’s Turaco, Heuglin’s Robin-Chat, and Grey Hornbill. Akagera is also a prime location for observing papyrus endemics and a large variety of water birds.
After lunch, the search continues in the afternoon, increasing your chances of encountering species such as the Northern Brown-throated Weaver, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’s Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, and Grey-crowned Cranes. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the highly sought-after Shoebill, which is regularly sighted in the park’s wetland areas.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range) or Ruziza Tented Camp.
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali and Birding in Mount Kigali
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kigali with a stop at Mount Kigali, the highest hill in the vicinity of the city. The forested areas of Mount Kigali provide another excellent birding opportunity, featuring different species from those found in Akagera and Nyarutarama.
Here, you may encounter birds such as the African Paradise Flycatcher, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Southern Black Flycatcher, Red-chested Cuckoo, Green-backed Camaroptera, Thick-billed Seedeater, Tropical Boubou, Northern Puffback, Common Bulbul, Bronze Mannikin, and Yellow-fronted Canary.
After an enjoyable morning of birding, you will have lunch and then be transferred to your hotel or the airport for your departure.