Bird species in Volcanoes National Park are predominately unique and rare in the region. This is one of the key bird watching spots in Rwanda and bird watchers are keen to identify and record key species of birds that are resident in this magnificent national park. Volcanoes is a haven to over 200 bird species and of which 17 are of Albertine Rift Endemics. The park is also an iconic palace for the rare and endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkeys in Rwanda. Guests frequent the place for gorilla trekking safaris and other hiking experiences such as visiting the Dian Fossey tombs and the Karisimbi hike.
Volcanoes offer an ideal and stunning landscape for different bird species. Welcome to a true birder’s paradise. Described by Bird life International as the most important site for biodiversity conservation in Rwanda. Home to the elusive Rwenzori Turaco to the Grey-Chested Kakamega including Albertine rift endemics supported by different vegetation zones forming habitats for these birds. The bird list is endless with over 69 bird species of the total 100 of the Afro-tropical highlands biome bird species that occur in Rwanda.
The Rwenzori Turaco Bird
There are good chances to spot rare and colorful bird species in Volcano National Park especially if you are looking for some Albertine rift endemics and eastern Congo forest birds, and these can be seen all year around. For birdwatchers, the best time to see these bird species in Volcanoes National Park is during the rainy season just because the resident birds are boosted by the migrant bird that comes in from Europe especially during wet season, and also this is the breeding season for most birds. There is also a variety of food, and several species are at their most colorful and conspicuous.
Visitors going for birding only need a packed lunch, a field guide book, and good binoculars to be able to spot your favorite species. Birds can also be identified by their calls for the keen birders. You can also take a guided birding tour with a local tour guide. Hire a guide to lead you along the different birding trails or choose from other shorter birding trails.
Over 200 bird species are estimated to live in Volcanoes National Park. The most pursued species include as francolin, Rwenzori turaco and Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, strange weaver and Archer’s robin-chat, White-collared Oliveback, African Swamphen, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Bat Hawk, Narina Trogon, Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, Olive-bellied, Red-chested Sunbird and Bronzy Sunbirds, African Goshawk, Palm Nut Vulture, Crested Barbet, Grey-backed Fiscal, African Green Broadbill, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, and Kivu Ground Thrush and animals like African Elephant and Golden Cercopithecus mitis kandti, Hippo, Giraffe to mention but a few.
Volcanoes National Park is rich in variety of vegetation, bamboo, grassland, Afro-alpine and bush land vegetation with montane forest which favor the survival of different bird species of Albertine Rift Mountains Endemic which harbors a variety of bird species. Experience Rwanda from head to the legs from a dazzling new perspective – Compliment your visit to Nyungwe forest National Park, a pristine forest known for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and the Canopy Walkway experience. The only walk of its kind in East Africa, this breathtaking construction hangs 60 metres above the forest floor.