DISCOVER RWANDA
Birding in Volcanoes National Park
Birding in Volcanoes National Park is one of the most affordable safaris in the country. Unlike gorilla trekking, which needs a you to receive a gorilla permit, all that is required for birding is to schedule and pay a few dollars and you are ready to go. On a Rwanda birding holiday, you can choose to combine bird watching with other activities such as gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, wildlife viewing, cultural tours, chimpanzee trekking, and more. As of November 2018, about 700 bird species were known to exist in Rwanda, with numerous species added to the national list since 2010. There are 29 Albertine Rift Endemics and many Lake Victoria Basin Endemics among the resident species, which should be on any birder’s bucket list.
One of the interesting activities that you can do during Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris is bird watching at Volcanoes National Park, which gives you an insight into the diverse wildlife present in Rwanda’s beautiful lush rain forest.
Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwestern area of this small East and Central African country, is home to over 200 different bird species. This 160-square-kilometer National Park is well-known for gorilla trekking, but it has more to offer than only the endangered Mountain gorillas, and the birds are one of its most spectacular attractions. Thirteen of the 17 bird species found in this Park are Albertine Rift endemics, while 16 are Virunga Mountains endemics.
Which birds are commonly sighted in Volcanoes National Park?
When visiting Volcanoes National Park on a birding safari, expect to see the gorgeous francolin, strange weavers, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, Brown woodland warbler, Brown-necked parrot, Doherty’s bush-shrike, Archer’s ground robin, Collared Apalis, Red-faced woodland warblers, Dusky turtle dove, Lagden’s bush-shrike and Dusky Crimson-wing, among others. Birding in Volcanoes National Park, like other activities, begins with a briefing at the Park Headquarters before venturing into the jungle to locate some of the Park’s residents. When exploring for bird species at Volcanoes National Park, you’re likely to see buffaloes, bushbucks, primates, and butterflies.
When is the best time for me to go birding in Volcanoes National Park?
Despite the fact that Volcanoes National Park is frequently enveloped in mist and trails in the rainforest are wet, muddy, and potentially risky during the rainy season in March, April, May, October, and November, the best time for bird watching is year round. The wet season is the perfect time for you to view migrating birds, especially between April and November.
What should I pack for a birding safari in Volcanoes National Park?
A pair of binoculars for spotting small and distant species, a good camera with a good lens and enough memory, a guidebook, a bird journal, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from scratches, a hat, sunglasses, closed shoes, cotton socks, a rain jacket because rain cannot be predicted, a backpack to carry the items you will need while bird watching, energy snacks, and a first aid kit, to name a few.
How much is Birding in Volcanoes National Park?
Birding activities in Volcanoes national park are charged basing on per person per day, so a birding permit costs $55 per person per day. This comes with a professional guide that will be assigned to you by the park.
Where can I stay when Birding in Volcanoes National Park?
There are numerous places to stay in Volcanoes National Park while birding, but some of the most popular are Bisate Lodge, Volcano Manor, Bishop’s House, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Resort Inn & Spa Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Le Palme Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Le Bambou Lodge and One & Only Gorillas’ Nest to mention but a few. These facilities range between budget, midrange and luxury lodges, with most of the midrange and luxury lodges offering you great services including Wi-Fi, alcarte or buffet meals, steam and sauna, laundry services and some luxury lodges also have gyms, open bars and private butlers.
Where is Volcanoes National Park located?
Volcanoes National Park is strategically situated in the northern province of Rwanda in Ruhengeri province. The national park is around 105 kilometers/ approximately a 3 hours’ drive from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city and the expedition’s starting location. This park is accessible by both air and road, with the former offering scheduled flights or chartering a plane from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport and then driving to the park.
Are there other activities in Volcanoes National Park I can combine with Birding?
Yes! Of course there are quite a number of interesting activities in Volcanoes national park that you can combine along with birding to make your experience even more memorable. Among some of the top activities offered in the park include;
Track Mountain Gorillas
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is one of only four national parks in the world where mountain gorillas may be discovered, and gorilla trekking is the major draw that draws so many people to this gorgeous location. Because mountain gorillas are highly endangered, seeing them in their natural habitat is extremely satisfying and generates memories that will last a lifetime.
Mountain gorillas are located in three countries: Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. Mountain gorillas are only found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, where 12 habituated gorilla groups are available for trekking. Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is home to Agashya, Amahoro, Umubano, Ugyenda, Susa, Kwitonda, Bwenge, Sabyinyo, Hirwa, Karisimbi, and other habituated gorilla families.
Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking activities begin at 7 a.m. with a briefing at Kinigi park headquarters, after which you are assigned to a gorilla family and undertake a guided journey in search of the gorillas. Trekking might take 2-5 hours, depending on the family being observed and the walking speed of members in your designated gorilla tracking group. When they find gorillas, you are given an hour to observe their behaviors, learn about them, and take photos.
Trekking Golden Monkeys.
The park is one of just two in East Africa that allows golden monkey tracking, the other being Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the country’s southwest. Golden monkeys are a rare and endangered species of monkey. Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park is easier than gorilla tracking because the monkeys eat on the lower slopes of the mountain, which are more accessible. It costs less than gorilla trekking and may be combined. The permission costs $100 USD.
Hike to Dian Fossey’s Tomb.
When visiting Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Dian Fossey Grave hiking is a thrilling activity. Hiking to Dian Fossey’s mausoleum is a popular option while doing birding in Volcanoes National Park. The trek is justified when you visit where this eminent American primatologist is buried.
The Dian Fossey tomb hike takes between 2 and 4 hours to complete, depending on your level of fitness. Because the routes are typically muddy and treacherous owing to the rain, proper hiking shoes are required. To defend against stinging nettles and thorny shrubs, wear pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
Visit the Gorilla Guardians’ Village
You might go on a Rwanda cultural tour to the Gorilla Guardians’ Village- also known as Ibyi’wacu village, which is close to Volcanoes National Park. Learning about Rwandan culture and lifestyle, as well as the country’s history, is always intriguing. The Gorilla Guardians’ village offers tourists community walks where they may participate in activities such as producing beer from bananas, learning how to cook local cuisine, learning hunting skills, weaving mats, seeing traditional homesteads, and cultural dances, among others.
The group provides guests with performances and entertainments such as dances, theater, music, and storytelling, among other things. You will also be able to visit the king’s palace to observe how the old monarchs reigned, traditional healers who used to use herbs to treat different ailments, and Batwa the pygmies who used to dwell in the forest before it was designated as a national park, among other things. The Ibyi’wacu cultural tour will help you learn more about Rwandan customs, providing you with an engaging experience during your safari in Volcanoes National Park.
Mountain Climbing/Hiking
The shortest hike is to Lake Ngezi, a lovely little lake buried in a volcanic depression at the foot of Mount Bisoke. It takes around three hours in total and is rather straightforward to navigate, with the possibility of seeing wildlife and gazing across to the Congolese woodlands along the way. If you want to ascend Mount Bisoke (3,700m) will be rewarded with a crater lake. This journey might take anywhere from five to a full day.
Mount Karisimbi, which translates as “white shell,” alludes to the white-capped cloud cover that blankets the summit on a regular basis. At 4,507m, it’s a challenging but rewarding two-day climb with camping along the way. Trekkers may be rewarded with a serendipitous meeting along the journey because this is gorilla, ape, and bird habitat.
Mount Muhabura;
Mount Muhabura, at 4,127 meters above sea level, is the second highest mountain in Volcanoes National Park. Mount Muhabura is shared by Rwanda and Uganda and may be reached from any country. The trek takes around 6 to 8 hours, and on top of Mount Muhabura, there is a crater lake with breathtaking views of the landscapes, as well as twin lakes named Burera and Ruhondo.
Mount Gahinga;
Mount Gahinga is 3,474 meters above sea level, making it the shortest volcanic peak in Volcanoes National Park, making it ideal for lazy hikers. Mount Gahinga is a dormant volcano shared by Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla park and Volcanoes National Park.
Mount Sabyinyo:
Mount Sabyinyo stands 3,634 meters above sea level and is located between the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Volcanoes National Park, so you may trek from either side. On top of Mount Sabyinyo, you will be standing in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Places to visit outside Volcanoes National Park.
Buhanga Eco Park
The Buhanga Eco Park, which has 31 hectares of land, is one of the amazing Rwanda Safari destinations that surround Volcanoes National Park. Buhanga Eco Park is located in the Nyakinama hamlet, about 8 kilometers west of Musanze town, and its value originates not from its beautiful flora but from the cultural tradition associated with it. Buhanga Eco Park in Volcanoes National Park contains a cave where Rwandan kings were coronated. It is an extraordinary spot that is important to traditional Rwandan rites since the Rwandan Kings would go from the southern kingdoms of Nyanza and Butare to Buhanga for coronation. The woods also features another cave where the Kings would bathe before being anointed Kings, widely known as ‘Umwami.’
Buhanga woods also contains a wonderful natural spring of water called Gihanda, named after Rwanda’s first King. It should be noted that the waters used in the ceremonial bath come from this spring. According to legend, a local chieftain once ordered his men to drain the well-known spring, but it was already flowing again by the evening. The next day, huge snakes attacked the chief’s residence for seven days, killing the chief and his whole family. The Buhanga Eco Park trek is $40 and runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Buhanga Sacred Walk also introduces guests to 150 different bird species.
Musanze Caves
Tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda can also spend $75 USD to climb to the Musanze Caves, which are located within the park. These caverns were formed by a volcanic explosion around 65 million years ago. The Rwanda Development Board opened the Musanze caverns to the general public and visitors in 2013. The caverns are home to cave bats and span for around 2 kilometers. Tourists that explore the caverns are given gloves, knee caps, boots, a face mask, a helmet, and a skull cap.
