Birding Photography Safaris in Volcanoes National Park.

Birding photography safaris in Volcanoes National Park offer an exceptional opportunity for photographers to capture some of the park’s rarest and most colourful bird species in their natural habitats. It is situated in the northwestern part of Rwanda, within the Virunga Mountains. It is a montane forest with stunning views of the volcanic ranges. Volcanoes National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Rwanda, covering an area of approximately 160 square kilometres. The park is a paradise for bird watching with over 237 bird species that call it home, such as 17 Albertine Rift endemics, water birds, migratory birds, forest birds and the park’s resident species, which are rare to find anywhere else. All these vibrant bird species provide unique photographic moments to all photographers visiting the park. Volcanoes National Park has a mix of ecosystems, such as montane forest, bamboo forests, grasslands, and wetlands, which provide habitats for various bird species. Whether you are a professional photographer or a passionate bird enthusiast, a birding photography safari in Volcanoes National Park promises unforgettable encounters with Rwanda’s rich avian life.

Birding Photography Experience in Volcanoes National Park.

Birding photography safaris in Volcanoes National Park allow photographers to explore the park’s rich birdlife and take amazing pictures. This is a guided activity led by an experienced park guide who assists travellers by identifying sounds and calls of various birds and gives more insights bout the bird species encountered. Birding begins with a briefing at the park’s headquarters about the rules and regulations of the activity. After birders are assigned, an experienced park birder leads them in a search for these awesome bird species. Birding is best done in the morning and late afternoon hours when birds are most active. Birders are encouraged to prepare a bird watching checklist, which will allow them to know the birds they have encountered, and it makes the safari exciting as they tick off the species they have photographed. For photographers, a camera with a telephoto lens(300mm-600mm) and binoculars are highly recommended for a memorable photography experience in the park.

Birds to Encounter on Birding Photography in the Park.

Photographers will have an opportunity to capture many bird species on their safari such as Scarce Swift,  Scarlet-tuffed Sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis,  Archer’s Ground Robin, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, African Palm Swift, Alpine Swift, White-rumped Swift, Little Swift, African Swift, Blue-headed Coucal, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Diederick Cuckoo, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Crake, Red-knobbed Coot, Grey Crowned Crane, Ruwenzori Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Marabou, Yellow-billed Stork, European White Stork, Pink-backed Pelican, Hamerkop, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, African Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, Great Cormorant, Three-banded Plover, African Snipe, Gray-hooded Gull, White-winged Tern, Black-winged Kite, European Honey Buzzard, African Harrier Hawk, Palm-nut Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, White-headed Vulture, Hooded Vulture, Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Tawny Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, African Marsh Harrier, Lizard Buzzard, Little Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, Augur Buzzard, Eurasian Buzzard, Mountain Buzzard, Common Barn Owl, African Long-eared Owl, Speckled Mousebird, Crowned Hornbill, Cardinal Woodpecker, Olive Woodpecker, Western Green Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Spot-flanked Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, European Bee-eater, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Little Bee-eater, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Common Kestrel, African Hobby, Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Brown-necked Parrot, Ruwenzori Batis, Chinspot Batis, Chinspot Batis, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Northern Puffback, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Albertine Sooty Boubou, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Lühder’s Bush-shrike more.

The Best Time to do Photography Safaris in the Park.

Photographers can come for birding photography safaris in Volcanoes National Park at any time of the year; however, some months are better than others. The park receives two seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The wet season is the most preferred period by birders, which is from October to November and March to May. During this season, the park receives enough rainfall, plants and tree species bear fruit, which provides enough food to birds in the park. It’s this period when migratory birds come to the park, running away from the harsh weather conditions in Europe and Asia.

 Since the park has enough food, birds don’t move deep in the forest in search of food, and this is the breeding season for most birds in the park, which makes spotting them easy, and photographers have great chances of capturing many bird species. Birders should note that during this period, the park is muddy and slippery, making it hard to penetrate. Birding can also be done in the dry season, which runs from June to September and from December to February. During this period, the park receives little to no rainfall, the trails are less muddy and slippery, making it easy to penetrate.