Nyungwe Forest
is the largest block of Afromontane forest on the continent and
an excellent network of trails allows excellent chances for Albertine
Rift endemics such as Red-collared Mountain Babbler and Purple-breasted
Sunbird. Heading to the eastern lowlands, Akagera National
Park has the third highest bird list of any park in Africa.
An optional extension
to track Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National
Park is also available.
This little-visited country is an excellent birding destination,
offering wetlands, highland forest and savannas contained within
its narrow borders. The ABC Conservation Tours donate a portion
of profits to theABC
Conservation Fund.
Itinerary Rwanda (8 days)
1. Arrive Kigali; Drive to Akagera National Park
2. Akagera National Park
3. Akagera National Park
4. Akagera to Nyungwe forest
5. Full day in Nyungwe Forest
6. Full day in Nyungwe Forest
7. Full day in Nyungwe Forest
8. Nyungwe to Kigali and depart.
We meet in Kigali, and head straight for the bird-rich Akagera National
Park, with one of the longest bird lists of any African conservation
area.
Day 2-3: Akagera National Park:
This savanna-dominated area in the north-east of the country lies
in the Lake Victoria Basin. It holds an interesting selection of
species associated with a diversity of habitats: wetlands, woodlands,
grasslands, riparian forest and bush country. Species we shall look
for include Coqui Francolin, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Meyer’s
Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Rueppell’s Long-tailed Starling,
African Penduline Tit, White-winged Tit, Angola Swallow, Red-rumped
Swallow, Trilling Cisticola, Tabora (Long-tailed) Cisticola, Buff-bellied
Warbler, Red-faced Crombec, Green-capped Eremomela, Pale Wren Warbler,
Rufous-naped and Flappet Larks and Red-headed Weaver. However, the
star attraction is the very localised Red-faced Barbet, which we
should locate in some large fig trees near the Akagera Lodge. We
also stand an outside chance of seeing the much desired Shoebill
along the lakeshore.
Day 4: Drive to Nyungwe Forest:
After some final birding at Akagera, we return to Kigale and from
there head south towards Butare, and finally west on a road that
passes through Nyungwe National Park. We will be based at Gisakura
on the western, lower edge of the reserve during our stay.
Day 5-7: Nyungwe Forest:
The best birding in Rwanda is to be had in Nyungwe Forest Reserve;
no fewer than 25 Albertine Rift endemics have been recorded here.
We have three full days to explore these endemic-rich highland forests.
The list of possible species is long, but highlights should include
Handsome Francolin (difficult to see), flocks of noisy Black-and-white
Casqued Hornbill, chattering White-headed Woodhoopoes, a gaudy Bar-tailed
Trogon or Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater and several endemics such as
Kivu Ground Thrush, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing and Red-throated
Alethe. Overhead we’ll watch for raptors, as both Buzzard
and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle occur. The area holds of great diversity
of warblers, many of which are hard work to see. Among these area
noisy Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia, Banded Prinia,
Ruwenzori, Chestnut-throated, Mountain Masked, Black-throated, Grey
and Kungwe (rare) Apalises, the unusual Grauer’s Warbler,
swamp-loving Grauer’s Rush-Warbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler,
Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-browed Crombec, striking Neumann’s
Short-tailed Warbler and Red-faced Woodland Warbler. However, the
undoubted stars of Nyungwe are Red-collared Mountain-Babbler, Ruwenzori
Turaco and Purple-breasted Sunbird. The Turaco is rather common
and can even be seen crossing over the tarred road that runs through
the forest. However, the other two species are more challenging.
The babblers are scare, but rove around in noisy parties, carefully
gleaning moss and bark on branches of trees. The sunbirds set up
territories around flowering Symphonia trees, where the males compete
for attention.
l'Hoest Monkey is ofte seen on the ground. While easiliy seen in Rwanda,
it is more secretive in Uganda.
Photo taken by Callan Cohen on a birding tour in Rwanda.
This Purple-breasted sunbird was photographed on a Birding Africa
tour in Rwanda, but it has also been seen on our tour to Uganda.
* Cost per person sharing a room, ** Single room supplement.
* Included in the above price: Birding Africa tour leader, Birding
Africa printed booklet with species lists, domestic flights within
Madagascar, boat trips as indicated on the itinerary, road transport,
guide fees, entry fees for the parks, reserves and botanical gardens,
full board accommodation and drinking water on the bus. Not included:
international flights, drinks, optional tips, and items of a personal
nature are not included.
Practical tour information
Focus
For keen birders and mammal enthusiasts. Designed
to see as many as possible endemic birds, but while on the walks
we spend a lot of time looking for other wildlife such as mammals
(including several species of primates) and butterflies. We
can also customise any itinerary to suit to the keen birder,
the wildlife enthusiast or both.
Photography
Many participants on our trips are amateur wildlife photographers.
And when we get excellent views of a bird or mammal, some time
is usually spent watching and photographing it. However, this
is not a photographic tour and once the majority of the people
have felt that they have absorbed the animal or bird to their
satisfaction, then we move on in search of the next encounter.
Thus, while the photographic opportunities
are very good, the group will only occasionally wait for somebody
who wants to spend even longer getting better photos.
Fitness
A small degree of fitness is required. The few walks are generally
in relatively flat areas with occasional small inclines. The
terrain during the optional gorilla tracking can never be predicted
and can be very steep.
Timing
Most of our Rwanda tours take place
during December, January, July or August.
Climate
Cool at night in the highlands, warm to hot in the lowlands.
Comfort
A good standard of accommodation in guest houses,
lodges and small hotels.
Transport
We travel by minibus or four wheel drive vehicle.
Group Size
This depends on the specific tour. Please enquire.
Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Golden monkey,
Black-and-white Colobus monkey, l'Hoest Monkey
Booking
Your
booking can be secured with a booking
form and deposit of USD 400. You will receive
confirmation and our tour information pack with practical information
on what to expect and how to prepare for the tour. The balance
is due 3 months before the tour. Email
us about availability.
About Birding Africa
Birding Africa is a specialist birding tour
company customising tours for both world listers and more relaxed
holiday birders. We combine interests in mammals, butterflies, dragonflies,
botany and other natural history aspects and will guide you to Africa's
and Madagascar's most diverse birding destinations. Our guides'
knowledge of African birds and birding areas is our greatest strength
and together we have rediscovered species, shared exciting observations
with the birding community and had a fun time exploring our home
continent. We've even written two acclaimed guide
books on where to find Southern Africa's and Madagascar's best
birds. Birding is more than our passion, it's our lifestyle, and
we are dedicated to making professional, best value trips filled
with endemic species and unique wildlife experiences. Since 1997,
we've run bird watching tours
in South Africa and further into Africa for individual birders,
small birding groups and top international tour companies. We've
run Conservation Tours
in association with the African Bird Club and work with and consult
for a number of other top international tour companies and the BBC
Natural History Unit.
