Birding in Kigali
- July 11, 2024
- Posted by: chosen@202q
- Category: Prepare To Travel Tips
Birding in Kigali
Kigali is surprisingly one of the top bird-watching locations that you should consider a must-visit while on safari in Africa, especially in East Africa, even though it is the cleanest capital city and the primary entry point to Rwanda, one of the most well-known mountain gorilla destinations in Africa.
It has several birdwatching locations, the majority of which are in the form of wetlands, woodlands, forests, and open grasslands. With over 200 different bird species found in each of these locations, this city is a birdwatcher’s paradise. While on a birding safari in Kigali, you should visit the following noteworthy birding sites:
The Lake NyarutaramaThis is well located near to the Kigali golf course and has multiple walkways that offer the best vantage point for spotting a variety of water bird species. The most important birds that you should see are African Spoonbill, Spur-winged Geese, Black Crake, Black Egret, Cater Egret, Yellow-billed Duck, Squacco Heron, White-faced Whistling Duck, Hottentot Teal, Black-headed Heron, and Red-billed Teal. These are some of the birds that can be seen in the area.Nyarutarama Lake
Birds such as the Black Kite, African hobby, swamp flycatcher, winding Cisticola, tawny-flanked Prinia, paradise flycatcher, grey-capped warbler, pygmy kingfisher, and African Fish Eagle occupy the vegetation along the lakeshores. Acacia trees on the eastern side of the lake are home to many raptors, including mountain buzzards, and colorful birds such as martins, swallows, sunbirds (which include part of Rwanda’s 26 sunbird species), and swifts.
Nyabarongo wetlands
The 142.62-square-kilometer Nyabarongo Wetlands, which are made up of several marshes and swamps, offer great wildlife to birdwatchers. The African Marsh Harrier, African Jacana, Black-headed Heron, Great Swamp Warbler, White-winged Warbler, Long-toed Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail, Common Snipe, African Marsh Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, Spur-winged Geese, Great White Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Squacco Heron, African Openbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Grey Heron, Black-headed Gonolek, Goliath Heron, and other important bird species to identify during your safari in Rwanda.In Nyabarongo Wetland, birdwatching
It is possible to get to Nyarutarama Lake Dump from Kigali by cab or even by motorbike. Bird species, including African hobbies, Boart hawks, yellow-billed ducks, and others can be seen in this magnificent lake. Red-billed fire finch, brimstone canary, pin-tailed whydah, pied crow, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, cape dove, Ross’s Turaco, cardinal woodpecker, hamerkop, green-winged ptyilia, white-browed robin chat, northern fiscal, African harrier hawk, bronze sunbird, dark-capped bulbul, tropical boubou, African pied wagtail, and speckled mousebird are some of the other bird species you may see while on a birding safari in Kigali.
The Nyabarongo Wetlands, which are 15 minutes’ drive from Kigali, are one of the birdwatching locations that can be visited in a matter of minutes if you are an avid bird watcher. You will need binoculars and a camera for the most satisfying birding experience in Kigali. You can get in touch with our receptionist to arrange a birding excursion that includes gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.