Classic 5 Days Rwanda Birding Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

Your birding in Rwanda adventure begins upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda’s gateway.

Here, you will be warmly received by our professional and hospitable company driver, your driver-guide to be on this awesome 5 days birding in Rwanda safari.

He will offer you a brief introduction about your safari, provide you with the itineraries and then have you transferred to Nyungwe National Park.

It is about a five to six hours drive from Kigali City to the park, a relatively long journey featured with scenic views of the country side rolling hills, vibrant villages, farms and plantations.

During this journey,  you will enroute at a local restaurant to have lunch, giving you opportunities to to stretch and refresh, and also to mingle with the locals, getting deep insights into their lives.

Upon arrival at the park, you will check into your accommodations where you will relax and refresh, preparing for an evening birding experiences in Nyungwe Forest. 

This Will majorly depend on your arrival time. If you reach the park as early as possible, you will embark on guided evening short nature walks taking you through. Some beautiful sections of nyungwe forest to catch a glimpse of its vibrant bird species as they end their day, catching the last worms to go to sleep.

Nyungwe forest is one of the best birding hotspot in Rwanda, a birders haven featured with a variety of birdspecies spread all over it’s habitats such that even a short exploration can offer beautiful sightings of birds like the Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, and Kivu Ground Thrush.

If you reach the park, you will focus on resting and preparing for adventures awaiting you the following Day.

Accommodation options include Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or Nyungwe Forest Lodge. These lodges are situated just close to the park ensuring you a comfortable stay and a convenient access to the park activities.

Meals expected on this day include lunch and dinner.

Day 2: Birdwatching in Nyungwe National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transfered to nyungwe forest park headquarters to embark on a full day birding experience through the park’s diverse habitats.

Just like like any other Adventurous activity offered by the park like a chimpanzee tracking experience, a birding experience in Nyungwe Forest as well starts with a simple briefing about the safety rules and guidelines and what to expect.

This is offered by a professional nyungwe forest birding guide.

After, he will lead you on a early morning birding hike in the forest, helping you to spot out different bird species, tell you about their behaviors, food, among others offering an immersive experience.

Popular and fascinating bird species spotted in Nyungwe Forest include Great Blue Turaco, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, African Crowned Eagle, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill and White-headed Wood-hoopoe.

During the birding hikes through the park’s diverse habitats, you will as well different wildlife species including different invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, different primate species such as the Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees, among others offering an enjoyable experience.

In the late morning, you may decide to blend your birding adventure with a

Colobus Monkey Trekking. This will take you to spot the Angolan Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys in their natural habitats. While on thses treks, you will as well observe other species like the  Mountain Wagtail and Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo.

In the afternoon,  you will enjoy your packed lunch at one ofbthe nearby picnic area or any comfortable area within the park, relax a bit to prepare  for an afternoon Birding experience alongside the thrilling canopy walks in Nyungwe Forest. 

This elevated walkway offers a great vantage point for spotting a variety of  forest birds like the Moustached Green Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Batis, and Red-faced Barbet.

After a long day filled with great wildlife experience in Nyungwe forest, you will return to your lodge for a relaxing evening.

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Kivu for Wetland Birding

After breakfast, you will be transfered to  Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s great lakes and the largest fresh water Lake in  Rwanda. It is approximately a four to 5 hour drive from Nyungwe to Lake Kivu, a scenic drive taking you through Rwanda’s terraced hills and charming villages. Lake Kivu is home to a varietybof wetland birdspecies including rare and migratory birdspecies.

 The lake is home to a variety of  wetland bird species and best spotted during boat safaris, canoe rides and naturebwapks along the shoreline and wetlands of this majestic Lake.

You can immediately begin birding Upon arrival at Gisenyi,the northernmost town of Lake Kivu. You can do birding along the shoreline and the wetlands in that area. Here you will spot a variety of birdspecies imcluding  White-winged Black Tern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, African Fish Eagle and Malachite Kingfishe

You can also explore the nearby marshes and lake kivu beaches for birds like Little Egret, Pied Avocet, and Squacco Heron.

In the afternoon,  you will enjoy a relaxed lunch by the stunning shores of the lake. These offer serene  views of the water and it’s surroundings. 

After lunch, you will go for a boat ride on the serene waters of Lake Kivu to spot different water wading birds species including the  Great Egret, Pied Kingfisher, and Water Thick-knee.

You will as well explore the rivers that feed into lake kivu. These are great destinations for spotting vibrant bird species such as the Purple Heron, Long-tailed Cormorant, and African Jacana.

After this action-packed day filled with sightings of a diverse of birdspecies, you will head to your accommodations in Gisenyi where you relax and unwind as you reflect on the day’s birding experiences. 

Accommodations options here include  Lake Kivu Serena Hotel or Kivu Marina Bay Hotel. 

Meals expected include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park for High-altitude Birding

After breakfast, youbwill be transfered to Volcanoes National Park, a two to three hour drive taking you through beautiful lush rolling hills.

Although Volcanoes National Park is famously known for its mountain gorillas, it is also popular birding hotspot in rwanda boasting over 400 bird species making it a must-visit destination to birders.

Upon arrival, you will checking your lodge After which you will be transfered to the park headquarters to embark on thrilling birding safaris in the high-altitudes of this spectacular park.

Birding trips in the park are led by expert birding guides who are well-versed with the park’s diverse habitats, home to different bird species.

Birding in Volcanoes National Park introduces to beautiful bird species such as Rwanda Mountain Batis, Giant Hornbill, Kivu Weaver, Olive Ibis, and Dusky Turtle Dove

Volcanoes is also one of the few places in the world where you can find the Endemic Volcano Robin and the Golden-winged Sunbird, making it a prime spot for birders in Rwanda.

Day 5: Final Day of Birding at Volcanoes & Departure

After breakfast, you will embark on an early birding hike through the park. The hike will take you through the bamboo forests,less low dense tropical forests to high-altitudes which are home to beautiful bird species such as the Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird and Mountain Buzzard. Early mornings are ideal for spotting forest birds, and with the guide’s expertise, you may also get the chance to observe gorilla activity during your hike.

In the afternoon, after lunch, you will take a short drive to the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. These are stunning lakes, surrounded by volcanic mountains, home to a variety of water birds, including African Spoonbill and African Marsh Harrier. The scenic beauty of the area makes for a perfect final birding experience in Rwanda.

After lunch at the lakes, you will drive back to Kigali for your flight. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours, and you’ll have time to reflect on the incredible birding experiences over the past five days.

Depending on your flight time, you may have the chance for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Kigali. Your guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport, where your Rwanda birding safari comes to a close.