Super User 11 July 2023

Best Travel Guide To Nyungwe Forest National Park Bird-watching Safari In Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the important bird areas in East Africa with over 322 species including red-collared babbler, Rockefeller’s sunbird, and other Albertine Rift Endemic species making it a classic bird-watching area in Rwanda. Surprisingly 29 of the bird species in Nyungwe Forest Park are endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Nyungwe Forest Overview and Location;

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a vast area of mountain rainforest strategically located at the edge of the Great Rift Valley in the Albertine Rift. Nyungwe National Park lies in southwest Rwanda, partly abutting the Burundi border. It’s one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, very rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. This mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a large number of bird species, a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L'Hoest's monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.

The Canopy Walkway, part of the Igishigishigi Trail, is a high-suspension bridge with views over the valley and surrounding forests. Another trail runs to the Kamiranzovu Marsh, with its birdlife, orchids, and waterfall

Bird-watching experience in Nyungwe Forest;

Nyungwe National Park is a stunning birding destination. Birders will be amazed at the variety of colorful species fluttering around. It pays to ask for a specialist birding guide at the park’s headquarters as they can identify many species by call. Of specific interest are the many Albertine Rift endemics and birds unique to the highland forest habitat. Three birds unrecorded elsewhere on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift are the Albertine owlet, red-collared babbler, and Rockefeller’s sunbird.

Birding Time in Nyugwe Forest;

Birding is done in the early morning after breakfast, tourists arrive at Nyungwe Forest National Park headquarters in Gisakura where they are briefed, and assigned rangers, en route to the forest to look for the classic species of birds with stopovers in various bird sighting areas such as fields, small forest areas, and open plains.

Notable birds to look out for include Regal-Sunbird, Kivu-ground Thrush, Congo-bay Owlet, Rwenzori-Nightjar, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori-Turaco, Red-collared mountain-Babbler, Rwenzori-Batis, and many other Albertine Rift Endemic species.

Best Time for Birding in Nyungwe Forest;

Birding in Nyungwe is excellent throughout the year. Since so much forest birding depends on calls, the best time is from March to May, when birds are most vocal. From June to September, many birds are feeding their fledglings and keep quiet, only becoming vocally active again in January or February. April is the wettest month and the logistics of birding might become a challenge, as trails get very slippery. Butterflies are also a common sight, with at least 120 species.

Other wildlife to watch out for in Nyungwe Forest;

Visitors also enjoy sighting the Nyungwe National Park animal species that can be found in the park including duikers, golden cats, duikers, Klipspringer, impalas, Bushbucks, Buffaloes, Elephants, Bushpigs, Gant forest hog, Blotched serval, Carnival genet, Congo clawless, Mongoose, otter, serval, felis, black-fronted duiker, and western tree hyrax among others.

Arrange with Ultimate Wild Safaris for a birding safari in one of Africa’s most preserved forests Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda.

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