Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safaris

10-Days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla

A Birder's & Primate Enthusiast's Dream

Experience the ultimate 10-Day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Adventure: Discover vibrant birdlife in Akagera and Nyungwe, plus unforgettable gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

During the 10-Day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Tour, you will experience the best of Rwanda's Birding Tours, gorilla tours, Epic Rwanda Safaris, and Guided Birding Tours in Rwanda.

Rwanda, the "Land of a Thousand Hills," is not only renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality but also stands as a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts. This meticulously crafted 10-day tour offers a unique blend of exceptional birdwatching opportunities and the awe-inspiring experience of gorilla trekking. Immerse yourself in the vibrant ecosystems of Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks, home to hundreds of bird species, including numerous Albertine Rift endemics.

Important Bird Areas During 10-Day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla

Akagera National Park – Savannah and wetland birds, plus unique Tanzanian specialties.
Volcanoes National Park – High-altitude forest species and gorilla habitat.
Nyungwe National Park – Albertine Rift endemics and dense forest species.

10-Day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Main Targets

Shoebill encounters in Akagera.
Savanna birding and game viewing in Akagera.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Roadside birding en route to Nyungwe.
Forest birding in Nyungwe National Park.
Canopy walk experience in Nyungwe.
Rwanda Gorilla Tour Package

Tour Overview

Rwanda Birding, Rwanda Gorilla Tour Package. Explore Rwanda’s rich birdlife and breathtaking landscapes on this 10-day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Trekking Adventure. This journey takes you through Akagera National Park’s savannas, the dense forests of Nyungwe, and the volcanic slopes of Volcanoes National Park. Expect to see rare bird species, diverse wildlife, and experience an unforgettable gorilla trek with the Rwanda Gorilla Tour Package.

Best of Rwanda Birding: Albertine Rift Endemics

Akagera National Park: Shoebill, Red-faced Barbet, Tabora Cisticola, Crested Barbet, Broad-tailed Warbler, Souza’s Shrike, Bare-faced Go-away Bird.
Volcanoes National Park: White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Snowy-crowned Robin Chat, Green-headed Sunbird.
Nyungwe National Park: Ruwenzori Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Regal Sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing.

12-Days Easter Uganda Birding Kidepo, Pian Upe, Mt Elgon

10-Days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla:

DETAILED Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Akagera National Park (Birding En Route)

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be warmly welcomed by our expert guide.
Enjoy a scenic drive east towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah-dominated park.
Keep an eye out for early bird sightings along the way, such as African Fish Eagles and various storks.
Check into your accommodation inside or near Akagera National Park.
Optional afternoon birding walk around the lodge.

Tour Details;

Arrive at the airport, meet your guide, and proceed with introductions. Then, drive leisurely with limited birding stops to Akagera National Park in northwestern Rwanda. Akagera National Park has low-lying plains, dozens of lakes, savanna, and woodland zones. Shoebill encounters, excellent savanna birding, and spectacular game viewing. It also borders Tanzania in the northwest, making it a great area to spot Tanzania specialties, such as the Red-faced Barbet, Tabora Cisticola, Crested Barbet, and other species from the bordering wildlife of western Tanzania.

Days 2 & 3: Exploring Akagera National Park - A Haven for Waterbirds and Raptors

Embark on exciting game drives through Akagera's diverse landscapes of savannah plains, woodlands, and numerous lakes.
Akagera boasts over 500 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatching in Rwanda.
Look for iconic species like the prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork, the elegant Grey-Crowned Crane, and a variety of raptors.
Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ihema, offering excellent opportunities to spot water birds like herons, egrets, and kingfishers.
Search for localized species such as the Papyrus Gonolek.

Tour Details;

Whole day bird watching and game in Akagera National Park. Today after early breakfast start birding looking out for species like Broad-tailed Warbler, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Sooty Chat, White-winged Black Tit, Flappet Lark, Souza’s Shrike, Crested Barbet, Red-faced Barbet, Long-tailed, Trilling, Tabora, Rattling and Winding Cisticolas, Miombo Wren Warbler, etc.

Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park - Journey Through Rolling Hills

After an early breakfast, begin your journey southwest towards Nyungwe National Park, known for its lush montane rainforest.
The drive offers stunning views of Rwanda's characteristic rolling hills and agricultural landscapes.
Arrive at your lodge near Nyungwe in the late afternoon.

Details;

Checkout and drive to Nyungwe National park. Nyungwe Forest is situated in southwestern Rwanda, between Lake Kivu and the international border with Burundi. This beautiful birding area lies west of Butare, with the Butare-Cyangugu road running straight through the middle, providing excellent roadside birding opportunities.

Days 5 & 6: Unveiling the Treasures of Nyungwe Forest - Albertine Rift Endemics

Dedicate these days to exploring the ancient Nyungwe rainforest, home to over 300 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics.
Embark on guided birding trails, such as the famous canopy walk, offering breathtaking views and unique birding perspectives.
Look for specials like the stunning Red-collared Babbler (only reliably found in Rwanda), the vibrant Rwenzori Turaco, and the elusive Grauer's Warbler.
Keep an eye out for other primates inhabiting the forest, such as chimpanzees and various monkey species.

Whole day birding in the park-Uwinka trail to lookout for; Stripe-breasted Tit, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Miombo Rock-Thrush, Mountain Masked Apalis, Black-faced Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Kivu Ground-Thrush, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Red-chested, SunbirdRegal Sunbird, Olive Woodpecker, Mountain Greenbul

Day 7: Scenic Drive to Volcanoes National Park - The Gorilla Highlands:

Your Rwanda Gorilla Tour Package

Enjoy a picturesque drive north towards Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda's majestic mountain gorillas.
The scenery transforms into dramatic volcanic landscapes as you approach the Virunga Mountains.
Settle into your accommodation near the park headquarters in Kinigi.
Prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure the following day.

10-Days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla | Rwanda Gorilla Tour Package

Day 8: Unforgettable Gorilla Trekking Experience: Gorilla Tours in Rwanda

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing and allocation to a gorilla family.
Embark on a trek through the forest with experienced trackers and guides to locate a habituated gorilla group.
Spend an unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat – a truly humbling experience.
Return to your lodge in the afternoon, reflecting on this incredible encounter.

Day 9: Birding in Volcanoes National Park & Cultural Encounter (Optional)

This morning offers another opportunity for birding, this time in the unique high-altitude environment of Volcanoes National Park.
Look for species adapted to these conditions, including several more Albertine Rift endemics.
Alternatively, you can opt for a cultural experience, such as visiting the Iby'iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwandan traditions.

Day 10: Departure from Kigali

Enjoy a final breakfast in Rwanda.
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred back to Kigali International Airport for your departure, filled with incredible memories of your Rwanda birding and gorilla tour.

Tour price includes

Park fees for non-residents
All activities listed
Rwanda Gorilla Tour Package
Accommodation
Professional birding guide
Transportation
Airport transfers
Meals (as per itinerary)
Drinking water

Tour Price Does Not Include

International flights
Additional accommodation before/after the tour
Tips
Personal items (souvenirs, insurance, visas)
Government-imposed tax/park fee increases.

A Symphony of Feathers and Fur – Exceeding Expectations on the 10-Day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Expedition

In conclusion, the 10-Day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Adventure promises and delivers an unparalleled East African experience, meticulously crafted to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning birders and wildlife enthusiasts. This comprehensive itinerary seamlessly blends the thrill of encountering the majestic mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park with the captivating diversity of Rwanda's avian treasures across its premier protected areas. Participants embarking on these Guided Birding Tours and the ancient montane forests are echoing with melodic calls. The Rwanda Gorilla Tour Package component offers an emotionally resonant encounter with habituated gorilla families. This truly once-in-a-lifetime experience complements the rich ornithological discoveries made throughout the journey. Whether it's tracking the elusive Grauer's Swamp Warbler in the papyrus swamps, spotting a myriad of colorful forest dwellers in Nyungwe National Park, or witnessing the sheer abundance of birdlife in Akagera National Park, this Rwanda Birding and Gorilla tour provides a holistic and unforgettable exploration of Rwanda's natural wonders. The expertly led Rwanda Birding Tours ensure optimal identification opportunities and insightful knowledge about the region's ecology, making this 10-day expedition a truly enriching and rewarding adventure.

Possible Bird Species to Observe During the Tour: 10-Days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla

Volcanoes National Park:

Handsome Francolin (Francolinus nobilis)
Dusky Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza jacksoni)
Shelley's Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi)
Grauer's Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus graueri)
Rwenzori Batis (Batis diops)
Collared Apalis (Apalis ruwenzorii)
Mountain Masked Apalis (Apalis personata)
Red-faced Woodland Warbler (Phylloscopus laetus)
Rwenzori Turaco (Ruwenzorornis johnstoni)
Archer's Ground Robin (Dryocichloides archeri)
Strange Weaver (Ploceus alienus)
Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis ardesiacus)
Lagden's Bush-shrike (Malaconotus lagdeni)
Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia johnstoni)
Northern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris reichenowi)

Akagera National Park:

Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)
Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri)
Red-faced Barbet (Lybius rubrifacies)
Bennett's Woodpecker (Campethera bennettii)
Long-tailed Cisticola (Cisticola angusticauda)
Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus)
Black-bellied Bustard (Lissotis melanogaster)
Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)
Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum)
Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)
Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis)
Various species of herons, egrets, and kingfishers.

Nyungwe National Park

Red-collared Babbler (Kakamega poliothorax)
Albertine Owlet (Glaucidium albertinum)
Shelley's Greenbul (Arizelocichla masukuensis)
Grauer's Warbler (Graueria vittata)
Kungwe Apalis (Apalis argentea)
Chapin's Flycatcher (Muscicapa lendu)
Rwenzori Batis (Batis diops)
White-headed Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus bollei)
Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata)
Ross's Turaco (Musophaga rossae)
Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus)
Cassin's Hawk-eagle (Aquila africana)
Forest Ground Thrush (Zoothera oberlaenderi)
Doherty's Bush-shrike (Telophorus dohertyi)
Purple-breasted Sunbird (Cinnyris purpureiventris)

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