Best Time to do Birding in Volcanoes National Park.
Birding in Volcanoes National Park is a premium activity, which allows bird lovers and ornithologists to explore the park’s unique bird life. If you are planning a bird watching safari in the park and wondering about the best time to do birding in Volcanoes National Park, this blog will guide you on the appropriate time to visit. Volcanoes National Park is one of the top bird watching destinations in Rwanda, celebrated for hosting high altitude bird species and Albertine endemic species. It’s located in the northwestern part of the country, bordering Uganda and the DR Congo. It’s one of the oldest national parks in Africa, established in 1925 to protect the gorillas that existed at that time.
It covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometres, making it the smallest national park in the country. Volcanoes is blessed with natural systems, such as grasslands, bamboo forests, montane forests and wetlands, which provide habitats to various bird species and wildlife species that call this amazing park home. It hosts over 237 bird species, including water birds, migratory birds, 18 Albertine Rift endemic species, forest birds and the park’s endemic species. Birding can be done at any time of the year, and the park receives two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The best time to do birding depends on an individual’s travel plans.
Best Time to do Birding in Volcanoes National Park.
Dry Season.
The dry season is commonly known as the peak season, which is the most loved season by travellers visiting the park. It runs from June to September and from December to February. During these months, the park receives no to little rainfall, the birding trails are less muddy and slippery, which makes penetration of the park in search of various bird species easy. The vegetation cover is short and scattered, making it easy to clearly see birds and take clear pictures. The good weather in this season improves photography and visibility of unique bird species. However, birders should note that during this period, birds tend to move deep in the park in search of food and water, they have to move deep in the park in search of various bird species.
Wet Season.
The wet season is commonly referred to as the low season, which runs from March to May and October to November. This is considered the best time to do birding in Volcanoes National Park because many migratory birds from Europe and North Africa are in the park. They travel from their home countries in search of good weather conditions and food. During this period, the park receives enough rainfall, and trees and plant species bear fruit. Since the park has enough food during this season, it attracts many birds, and it’s easy to spot them during this period. This is the breeding season of most bird species, which makes them more active and easier to observe behaviours like courtship displays and nesting. However, birders should be aware that, during this period, the tracks are muddy and slippery, making it challenging to penetrate them.
