The 8 Days Rwanda Birding Tour invites you to explore diverse ecosystems—from the dense, mist-covered forests of Nyungwe to the open savannahs of Akagera—where over 700 species of birds grace the skies. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or a nature enthusiast, this eight-day adventure offers an unparalleled chance to encounter some of Africa’s rarest and most stunning bird species, many of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift.

This 8 Days Rwanda Birding Tour will lead you through pristine landscapes that showcase the vibrant biodiversity of Rwanda. In Nyungwe Forest, you’ll walk beneath towering trees, spotting elusive Albertine Rift endemics such as the Rwenzori Turaco and Handsome Francolin, while listening to the calls of primates like the chimpanzees and mangabeys. Your journey will also take you to Akagera National Park, a haven for savannah birding and big game, where you’ll witness the majestic beauty of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, and rhinos, while seeking out a diverse range of waterfowl and raptors.

Throughout the tour, our expert guides will help you identify species, explain their behaviors, and share fascinating facts about the ecosystems that support them. You will not only enjoy breathtaking photographic opportunities but also connect with Rwanda’s natural beauty in a deeper, more meaningful way. As you move from one extraordinary location to another, the ever-present rhythm of bird calls will be your soundtrack, guiding you to new discoveries and experiences.

8 Days Rwanda Birding Tour

8 Days Rwanda Birding Tour Highlight Birds:

Rwenzori Turaco

Handsome Francolin

Stripe-breasted Tit

Red-necked Spurfowl

Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting

Red-headed Weaver

Strange Weaver

Waller’s Starling

Slender-billed Starling

Stuhlmann’s Starling

White-headed Wood-Hoopoe

Scarce Swift

Kakamega Greenbul

Cabanis’s Greenbul

Yellow-streaked Greenbul

Rwenzori Nightjar

Rwenzori Batis

African/Rwenzori Hill Babbler

Red-collared Mountain Babbler

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Lemon Dove

Elliot’s Woodpecker

8 Days Rwanda birding tour

Detailed 8 Days Rwanda Birding Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali City 

We will arrive in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, where our experienced guiding team will warmly greet us. After a brief transfer to our nearby hotel, we may explore the city’s attractions depending on time and energy levels from the journey. This initial exposure to Kigali sets the tone for our birding adventure.

Night in Kigali.

Day 2, 3 & 4: Birding Nyungwe Forest National Park

Our birding adventure begins with a scenic drive through the Rwandan countryside, heading towards Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, we’ll have opportunities for roadside birding, especially near the Nyabarongo River Swamp, where we can observe some papyrus-specialist species. As we continue our journey, expect more spontaneous birding opportunities.

In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at Nyungwe Forest, a biodiversity hotspot that harbors many of Rwanda’s unique bird species, particularly the Albertine Rift Endemics. We will dedicate the next few days to birding the lush forests, focusing on these endemic species.

Nyungwe Forest is also home to a variety of primates, including Chimpanzees, Johnston’s Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, and Rwenzori Angola Colobus Monkey, among others. If desired, we can opt for a Chimpanzee Trek for a more immersive experience in the park’s rich fauna.

A highlight of the visit will be the optional canopy walk, offering panoramic views of the forest and providing excellent opportunities to spot monkeys, birds, and the incredible flora of Nyungwe.

Nights in Nyungwe.

Day 5: Nyungwe Forest to Kigali

We’ll enjoy a final morning of birding in Nyungwe Forest, targeting any species we might have missed. Afterward, we’ll embark on a scenic drive back to Kigali, with additional roadside birding opportunities to make the most of our time.

Night in Kigali.

Day 6 & 7: Birding Akagera National Park

Our next destination is Akagera National Park, located along the mighty River Kagera. This park is known for its savannah habitat, providing a different birding experience with over 480 species recorded. While exploring Akagera’s diverse landscapes, we will focus on the park’s birdlife and the remarkable variety of species it supports.

One evening, we will embark on a night drive to observe nocturnal species that inhabit Akagera’s vast ecosystems. Additionally, a boat trip on Lake Ihema will offer a chance to observe water birds, making it a highlight of the tour.

Akagera is also a haven for large mammals, and we may spot species such as African Lions, African Elephants, Maasai Giraffes, Waterbucks, Nile Crocodiles, and both Black and Southern White Rhinos.

Nights in Akagera.

Day 8: Akagera to Kigali and Departure

We’ll spend the morning birding in Akagera National Park before heading back to Kigali in the afternoon. Along the way, we’ll enjoy roadside birding, often encountering local sights like cyclists transporting passengers or banana beer vendors.

We’ll reach Kigali in time for evening flights, marking the end of our memorable Rwanda Birding Tour.

Highlight Birds:

  • Rwenzori Turaco
  • Handsome Francolin
  • Stripe-breasted Tit
  • Red-necked Spurfowl
  • Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting
  • Red-headed Weaver
  • Strange Weaver
  • Waller’s Starling
  • Slender-billed Starling
  • Stuhlmann’s Starling
  • White-headed Wood-Hoopoe
  • Scarce Swift
  • Kakamega Greenbul
  • Cabanis’s Greenbul
  • Yellow-streaked Greenbul
  • Rwenzori Nightjar
  • Rwenzori Batis
  • African/Rwenzori Hill Babbler
  • Red-collared Mountain Babbler
  • Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo
  • Lemon Dove
  • Elliot’s Woodpecker
  • Olive Woodpecker
  • Tullberg’s/ Fine-banded Woodpecker
  • White-browed Crombec
  • White-bellied Crested Flycatcher
  • Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher
  • Southern Black Flycatcher
  • White-winged Black Tit
  • Meyer’s/Brown Parrot
  • Great Egret
  • Mountain Oriole
  • Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye
  • Red-chested Flufftail
  • African Broadbill
  • Rockefeller’s Sunbird
  • Regal Sunbird
  • Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird
  • Blue-headed Sunbird
  • Purple-breasted Sunbird
  • Bar-tailed Trogon
  • Red-faced Woodland Warbler
  • Black-faced Rufous Warbler
  • Mountain Yellow Warbler
  • Neumann’s/Short-tailed Warbler
  • Grauer’s Warbler
  • Grauer’s Rush/Swamp Warbler
  • Chubb’s Cisticola
  • Ruwenzori/Collared Apalis
  • Kungwe Apalis
  • Mountain Masked Apalis
  • Black-faced/Banded Prinia
  • Kivu Ground Thrush
  • Red-throated Alethe
  • Archer’s Robin-Chat
  • White-bellied Robin-Chat
  • Equatorial Akalat
  • Grey-chested Illadopsis
  • Mountain Illadopsis
  • Red-faced Barbet
  • Ruaha Chat
  • Long-tailed/Tabora Cisticola
  • African Finfoot
  • Flappet Lark
  • Pink-footed Puffback
  • Many-coloured Bush-Shrike
  • Doherty’s Bush-Shrike
  • Mountain Sooty Boubou
  • Violet-backed Hyliota
  • Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle
  • Congo Bay Owl
  • Red-chested Owlet
  • Albertine Owlet
  • Dusky Twinspot
  • Dusky Crimsonwing
  • Shelley’s Crimsonwing
  • Green-capped Eremomela
  • White-collared Oliveback
  • Grey Crowned Crane

Highlight Mammals & Others:

  • African Lion
  • African Elephant
  • Defassa Waterbuck
  • Maasai Giraffe
  • Nile Hippo
  • Common Zebra
  • Chimpanzee
  • Johnston’s Grey-cheeked Mangabey
  • L’Hoest’s Monkey
  • Rwenzori Angola Colobus Monkey
  • Olive Baboon
  • Eastern Black Rhino
  • African Buffalo
  • Nile Crocodile

Habitats Covered:

  • Savannah
  • Albertine Rift Forest

Special Moments:

  • Albertine Rift Endemic Birds
  • Africa’s Big Game
  • Kigali City Experience

This tour is a birding enthusiast’s dream, with Rwanda’s diverse landscapes offering an incredible variety of bird species, along with abundant wildlife and cultural experiences!