7 Days Rwanda Birding and Wildlife Safari – Overview

The 7 Days Rwanda Birding and Wildlife Safari is an exciting Safari package covering the  prime destinations of Rwanda namely; Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Rugezi Swamp close to Volcanoes National Park in the North west of the country. The Safari starts and ends at Kigali International Airport.

Day 1: Arrive And Transfer to Akagera Np For An Evening Birding Experience

Arrive at Kigali International Airport in the morning and transfer to Akagera National Park 135km about 2 ½ – 3 hours drive.

You check in at the lodge en route in Rwamagana and proceed to the park for an afternoon birding experience.

The Rwanda safari destination of Akagera National Park supports about 500 bird species among which include the impressive papyrus gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri) and a range of other water dwelling birds.

There are 44 species of raptor; the Palearctic migrants like the Gallinago media, Falco naumanni and the Glareola nordmanni have been recorded.

The Akagera creates the northern top most extension of Zambezian biome species including the Myrmecocichla arnotti, Lanius souzae and Cisticola angusticauda.

The park features one Guinea – Congo Forest biome Species and the 7 Afro-tropical Highlands biome Species.

Accommodation:

Budget: Dereva Hotel

Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge

Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp

Day 2 : Whole Day Birding in Akagera National Park

Transfer early in the morning to Akagera National Park for an exciting birding encounter. Traverse the impressive Savannah landscapes gaining possible views of birds and general wildlife.

In the afternoon, you take up the boat ride on Lake Ihema gaining possibilities of viewing more birds and aquatics like Crocodiles and Hippos. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Budget: Dereva Hotel

Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge

Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Whole Day Drive

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kigali from where you will proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

It’s close to whole day drive exploring the views of Rwandan countryside landscapes that have formed the back ground of her dub as the land of a thousand hills. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation

Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse

Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel

Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Day 4: Birding in Nyungwe Forest Np

Nyungwe Forest National Park is described to among the Important Bird Areas and rated by the Birdlife International in acknowledgment of the bird count.

Nyungwe Forest National Park takes proud in a range of birds existing in the montane forest. It can be noted that that Nyungwe Forest National Park features 310 bird species of which 27 of these are restricted in range to Albertine rift.

Among other birds thriving in Nyungwe Forest National Park include; Rwenzori Turacos, Grauer’s Rush Warbler,  Red-throated Alethe, Purple-breasted and Blue-headed, Kungwe Apalis Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Ruwenzori Apalis, Alehe poliophrys, Batis diops, Ruwenzori Batis, Stripe-breasted Tit Parus fasciiventer, Caprimulgus ruwenzorii, Cossypha archeri, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Archer’s Robin-chat, Dusky Crimson Wing, Shelley’s Crimsonwing,  Handsome Francolin, Francolinus nobilis, Cryptospiza jacksoni, Cryptospiza shelleyi, Hemitesia neumanni, Kupeornis rufocinctus, Red-collared Babbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Regal Sunbird, Melaenornis ardesiacus,  Cinnyris regius and Neumann’s Warbler.

Accommodation

Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse

Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel

Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Day 5: Another Day of Birding in Nyungwe Forest Np

This is designed for another encounter in the Nyungwe Forest National Park in search of birds. Other optional activities include; Canopy walk, Colobus Monkey trek or Chimpanzee trekking.

Accommodation

Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse

Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel

Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Day 6: Transfer to Ruhengeri Area – North West of Rwanda

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Musaze in the north west of Rwanda. You enjoy a day drive with sightseeing of the Congo Nile divide landscapes and the views of Lake Kivu. Arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation

Budget: Muhabura Hotel

Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 7 : Morning Birding in Rugezi Swamp, Optional Canoe Ride in The Twin Lakes And Transfer to Kigali

Early Morning birding in Rugezi Swamp another Important Bird Area as declared by Birdlife International in the year 2001 sheltering 43 bird species including the Grauer‘s swamp warbler and white-winged swamp warbler.

Depending on the available time, you can opt to do a canoe ride on the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera before embarking on the transfer back to Kigali to catch up with a flight back home.

End of The 7 Days Rwanda Birding and Wildlife Safari.