Bird Watching in Nyungwe National Park.

Bird watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the best activities to experience while on a safari in Rwanda, located in the southwestern region of the country. The park is one of the oldest tropical rainforests in Africa; it was designated as a conservation area in the 19th century and later became a national park in 2004. It is now one of the most visited parks in the country. Nyungwe Forest features diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, Afromontane forests, grasslands, and bamboo. These various habitats support a rich variety of wildlife. The park is home to over 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, Mona monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, and blue monkeys, as well as colobus monkeys. In total, there are 85 mammal species, such as duikers, bush pigs, and serval cats, along with 1,085 plant species.

For bird lovers, Nyungwe is a paradise, offering access to over 320 bird species, of which more than 25 are endemic to the Rift Valley. Notable avian species include the Regal Sunbird, Archer’s Robin Chat, Dusky Crimson-wing Sunbird, the rare Albertine Owlet, Ruwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, and the Red-collared Mountain Babbler, among others.  The dense canopy of Nyungwe Forest National Park provides shelter for a variety of bird species, making it the premier spot for bird watching in Rwanda. With its unique mix of forest and migratory bird species, Nyungwe is truly a bird watching paradise.

Bird Spices in Nyungwe National Park.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a paradise for birdwatching, offering a diverse range of bird species, including forest birds, rift valley endemic species, and wetland species. The park is home to over 320 bird species, with 25 species endemic to the rift valley, attracting bird enthusiasts from around the globe. During your birdwatching safari, you may encounter some fascinating avian species, such as the Red-throated Alethe, Mountain Masked Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Dwarf Honeyguide, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Archer’s Robin Chat, Regal Sunbird, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, and the rare Ruwenzori Turaco.

Other notable species include the Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Stripe-breasted Tit, Handsome Francolin, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Strange Weaver, Albertine Owlet, Rockefeller’s Sunbird (which is very rare), Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Dusky Twinspot, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Shalley’s Crimsonwing, Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, Grauer’s Broadbill, Kungwe Apalis, Yellow-throated Nicator, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Chapin’s Flycatcher, and Red-faced Crimsonwing all of which are endemic to the rift valley.

In addition to these, the forest is home to various forest birds, including the Great Blue Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, African Green Pigeon, Olive Pigeon, Tambourine Dove, Grey Parrot, Black Bee-eater, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Brown-capped Weaver, and Olive Thrush. Other species to look out for include the African Dusky Flycatcher, Grey-chested Illadopsis, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Mountain Oriole, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Grosbeak Weaver, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Hairy-breasted Barbet, and Yellow-spotted Barbet. The park also features wetland birds such as the Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Crowned Crane, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Black-headed Heron, Grey Heron, African Sacred Ibis, White-faced Whistling Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Spur-winged Goose, Black Crake, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-backed Weaver, and Papyrus Canary, among other species that call Nyungwe National Park home.

Bird watching Experience in the Park.

Bird watching in Nyungwe Forest is best enjoyed in the morning or late afternoon, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who provides insights into the various bird and wildlife species you may encounter. The park features well-maintained birding trails that cater to all fitness levels, ranging from easy to challenging. Notable bird watching trails include the 13 km Bigugu Trail, which takes approximately 6 hours to complete, as well as the shorter 4 km Karamba Trail, along with Kimiranzovu and Gisakura trails. Each of these offers an excellent bird watching experience in the forest. If you are a bird enthusiast eager to see Rift Valley endemics, Nyungwe National Park should definitely be included in your African safari plans.

Best Time to Visit Nyungwe Forest .

Nyungwe National Park can be visited throughout the year, however the best time to do bird watching in Nyungwe Forest is in the dry season which runs from June to September and December to February. During these months, there is little to no rainfall, the birding trails are dry making it easy to access the birding spots in the park.