Special birds, special primates Discover Rwanda's Birds & Primates
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Safaris
- Notes & Packing
What's included
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Ground transportation in 4WD safari car
- Meals indicated in the itinerary
- Park / Activity Fees
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal travel insurance
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa fees
9 Days Rwanda Birds And Gorillas
Quick Overview
This 9 day Rwanda birds and gorillas safari takes you to see the special birds and mountain gorillas that live in Rwanda’s natural areas.
The safari will start in Kigali and go to Akagera National Park where you will have a chance at seeing over 500 species of birds, along with Savannah wildlife like rhinos, zebras, elephants and lions. From here you will go to Volcanoes National Park where you will get to track and spend 1 hour with the endangered mountain gorillas.
Your safari will continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will find more special and rare birds, as well as some primates – especially chimps and monkeys. The trip will end with driving back to Kigali where you will catch your next flight back home.
While the focus of the tour is bird watching, you will still get to enjoy all the other experiences – while you tick off your bird list. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest is a good additional option for those who want to observe how chimpanzees in the wild go about their lives.
Rwanda has recorded over 700 bird species, a considerable number for its size. Out of these, over 40 species are unique to the Albertine Rift. This means they are present only in the areas within the western arm of the great East African rift valley.
This 9 day safari is perfect for birders who are interested in seeing some of Africa’s rarest birds, along with the common ones and other animals like gorillas or elephants. We can personalize this trip to match your preferences and wishes so that you can go on a safari that fully reflects what you want.
Highlights
Destinations: Kigali, Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park
Activities: Bird watching, safari game drive, gorilla trekking, city tour
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Arrival, Drive to Akagera National Park
Upon your arrival in Kigali, you will be welcomed by one of our experienced Safari guides. Your guide will brief you about the entire tour and then drive you to your first destination - Akagera National Park.
The park is found in the Eastern part of Rwanda. The Swamp, Savannah and montane vegetation zones make great habitat for many species of birds, and animals.
While in Akagera, you will spot several of the more than 500 bird species including rare favorites such as the shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek among others.
Apart from the birds, you will many African Safari animals such as elephants, hippos, buffalo, lions, rhinos, zebras and so much more. You will also see some monkeys and baboons.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Ruzizi Tented camp
- Luxury: Akagera Game Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Whole Day birding in Akagera NP
Birding is not a 1-day affair - especially in a place such as Akagera National Park. On your bird list, you will probably have checked of some common birds that you saw on the way. Today is when you dive in deeper.
After your breakfast in the morning, you will go out and start looking to check off more birds on the list. With more than 500 species, this day should be as exciting as it will be challenging.
You will see many more species including; White-crowned Black Chat, Familiar Chat, Greater Blue-eared Starling, African Open-billed Stork, Egyptian Goose, Long-toed Lapwing, Spur-winged Plover, Black Crake, Long-tailed Cormorant, Great Cormorants, Goliath Heron, African Marsh Harrier, Bateleur, Red-faced Barbet, Long-tailed, Trilling, Tabora, Rattling and Winding Cisticolas, Miombo Wren Warbler, Green-capped Eremomela, Red-faced Crombec, Amethyst Starling, Senegal Lapwing, Water Dikkop, Brubru, Brown Parrot, Red-necked Spurfowl, Broad-tailed Warbler, Bennett's Woodpecker, Sooty Chat, White-winged Black Tit, Flappet Lark, Souza's Shrike, Crested Barbet and many more.
Besides the birds, you will see plenty of other wildlife such as Giraffe, African Elephant, Hippo, Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Zebra, Eland, Lion, Leopard among others.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch and stay in the wild for as long as you want. In the evening, you will return to the lodge for some rest after a long day of birding.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Ruzizi Tented camp
- Luxury: Akagera Game Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Birding to Volcanoes NP
You will enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge after which we head out for Volcanoes National Park. The drive will go through some birding spots and the undulating scenery that is the Rwanda countryside.
You will arrive at your lodge in Volcanoes National Park in the late afternoon. After checking in, you can relax around the lodge or check out the neighborhood of the park for a short time.
You will rest for the night and prepare yourself for the next day's adventure of gorilla trekking.
Accommodation
- Budget: Muhabura Guest House
- Mid-range: Da Vinci Lodge
- Luxury: Virunga Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes NP
After breakfast, you will go to the park offices where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the upcoming gorilla trekking.
After assigning your gorilla group you will then enter the jungle for your gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. You will hike through the park and after meeting the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them and then return to the starting point to meet your guide.
In the afternoon, you can do a bit of leisurely bird watching in the area near park.
Accommodation
- Budget: Muhabura Guest House
- Mid-range: Da Vinci Lodge
- Luxury: Virunga Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Birding to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Today you will enjoy a nice morning breakfast from the lodge after which you will leave for Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south. The drive take around 5 to 6 hours and you will reach your lodge in Nyungwe in the afternoon.
As you head south from volcanoes, you will be surrounded by beautiful scenery made up of undulating hill, village homesteads and local crop & animal farms. You can stop along the way for pictures.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Birding in Nyungwe Forest. Optional Chimp Tracking
After early breakfast, you will set off with the safari guide for your first day of birding in Nyungwe. This day will involve a lot of movement in search of the birds. You will need to be well hydrated, therefore it is advisable that you don't leave the water bottle behind.
Keep an eye out for these species and more. Rwenzori Hill-babbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Northern Puffback, White-starred Robin, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Kivu Ground-Thrush, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Red-chested, Regal Sunbird, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Miombo Rock-Thrush, Mountain Masked Apalis, Black-faced Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, few Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Stripe-breasted Tit, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Olive Woodpecker, Mountain Greenbul, Dusky Crimsonwing, Thick-billed Seedeater, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Variable Sunbird, Waller's Starling, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in south-west Rwanda between Lake Kivu and the border with Burundi. The stretch of mountains which split the park give it 2 distinct climate and biodiversity sections. As a result, Nyungwe is rich with birds that wouldn't have otherwise been living in the same habitat.
With more than 270 bird species, you can be sure that Ngungwe is a hotspot. There are some species that are endemic to the Albertine rift as well as some bird that originate from the Guinea-Congo Forests.
After the long day, you will come back to the lodge for some much-needed rest and recuperation.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Birding in Nyungwe
You will, again, wake up early and have your breakfast before heading back to look for even more birds. This second day is for the species that you missed the previous day.
As well as seeing the birds you already saw, you will also add some more to your checklist. By taking a different approach from the previous days, you will be able to get even those missed before.
By waiting for nightfall, some nocturnal species such as the Rwenzori Nightjar, Albertine Owlet and Red-chested Owlet might be spotted.
After another long day, you will come back to the lodge for some much-needed rest and recuperation.
Accommodation
- Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Kigali, Birding
You will leave Nyungwe in the morning and drive to Kigali. The journey will take you an estimated 3 hours to drive from Nyungwe Forest National Park to Kigali City.
While in Kigali, you will visit some birding spots that are near Kigali. You will also pay a visit to the Murambi Genocide Memorial as well and the National Museum.
You will rest and relax for the night at your chosen Kigali accommodation.
Accommodation
- Budget: Rwanda Youth Hostel
- Mid-range: Chez Lando Hotel
- Luxury: Marriott Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departure
Depending on the time of your outbound flight, your safari guide will be available to drive you to Kigali International Airport for your flight.
If there is a significant amount of time before your flight, you might opt for a half-day Kigali city tour or visit the local crafts shops for souvenirs.
Accommodation
- (X) - Last day
Notes of Chimp & Gorilla Trekking
Here are some important things to know about tracking gorillas or chimps in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Minimum age allowed to track chimps is 12 years old.
- Minimum age allowed to track gorillas is 15 years old.
- Tracking gorillas is quite strenuous and one should be physically fit to best enjoy the experience.
- Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will not be allowed to track chimps or gorillas.
- Maximum time allowed with the gorillas or chimps is 1 hour.
Packing Recommendation
Here are some general safari packing recommendations to consider. Your agreed itinerary will have recommendations based on your trip and schedule.
- Lightweight rain poncho
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Waterproof trousers
- gardening-type gloves
- Sunscreen
- Wide brim hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera with extra batteries and cards
- Your regular medication
- Phone/gadget chargers
Visas for Uganda or Rwanda
Both Rwanda and Uganda have simple to use online visa self-service portals where you can apply and get your visa in a few days. Here are the full articles to guide you about visas.
- Uganda visa requirements and processes for tourist
- Rwanda visa requirements and processes for tourist
Best time to visit Uganda or Rwanda
For most people, it is more pleasant and enjoyable to visit Uganda or Rwanda during the dry season months (June to September and December to February). The general climate is warm and sunny all year round, and you can visit at any time of the year.
If you don't enjoy crowds, the shoulder seasons are ideal since the tourist numbers are lower and the attractions are more intimate to explore.
Safety. Is its safe to visit?
Both Uganda and Rwanda are very safe countries to visit and live in. They are some of Africa's most visited countries and hailed for the friendly locals and warm welcoming smiles.
If you have any safety concerns or specifics your are worried about, simply reach out to us and we'll do everything to help you.
Why Choose Exclusive African Safaris
We are a full service Destination Management Company started and operating in Uganda since 2008. In more than 15 years, we have served guests from all parts of the world and helped them to enjoy wonderful experiences of the wild places, cultures and people in Uganda and Rwanda.
Choosing Exclusive African Safaris, is choosing to go with a trusted company whose wide network, experienced guides and staff will make sure that your safari experience is all that you wanted - and more.
Customizing your safari experience
All our safari packages can be customized and personalized to fit your budget, preferences and schedule. You can start the process through an already existing safari which is speaking to you - but not quite fully, and we shall tailor that trip to your wishes.
You can also directly reach out for us and request for a custom safari, and we shall work closely with you, start from scratch and build a safari that is 100% you.
