Unforgettable Birding in Volcanoes National Park

May 27, 2024

Unforgettable birding safari in Volcanoes National Park

A birding safari in Volcanoes National Park is one of the most done activities by bird lovers in Rwanda. The park is famous for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. You can combine birding in Volcanoes National Park with Gorilla trekking or golden monkey trekking activities. This undoubtedly makes your safari fun and memorable. Bird viewing at Volcanoes National Park is one of the exciting activities. It provides tourists with an insight into the varied wildlife that they find in Rwanda’s lush rainforest. The park is home to over 200 remarkable species of birds. 17 are endemic to the Albertine Rift and 13 of these species of birds are endemic to Virunga Mountains.

Volcanoes National Park is a birders’ haven where most of Rwanda’s visitors go to spot birds. Volcanoes National Park is in the northwest province of the country. It is a tropical rainforest park with spectacular views of the five volcano ranges. Bird watching in a Volcanoes National Park is one of the best activities to do besides gorilla and golden monkey trekking.

Spotted Bird species in volcanoes national park

The park is an excellent birding destination site with a variety of habitats. The different bird species will amaze you. These include francolins, strange weavers, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, and Archer’s ground robins. Others include Collared Apalis, Doherty’s bush-shrike, Red-faced woodland warblers, Brown-necked parrots, Baglafecht weavers, African long-eared owls, and Dusky Crimsonwing among others.

Bird viewing at Volcanoes National Park like any other activity, starts in the morning. You learn about the guiding rules and regulations at the park headquarters. Then, you proceed into the bush to search for some park residents. During the bird walking safari in the park, you will also get a chance to see some of the wildlife animals. These include bushbucks, Orchids Forest Elephants, and primate butterflies among others. You’ll also see lots of unique mountain vegetation when spotting bird species at Volcanoes National Park.

Packing list for tourists when birding in Volcanoes National Park.

There are essentials to consider on your birding safari adventure in Volcanoes National Park. These include a bird guidebook and a pair of binoculars for spotting small and distant species. You also need a good camera with a good lens and enough storage, enough drinking water, and snacks. Also, you may need sunglasses, strong waterproof hiking boots, long stocks, a walking stick, and long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from being scratched. Additionally, carry a hat, rain jacket, and a sweater due to the unpredictable weather, a backpack for carrying the items you will need while birding, a first aid kit, and long trousers because you will be walking through the jungles with unpleasant vegetation among others.

Other activities to combine with bird viewing in Volcanoes National Park

Birders in Volcanoes National Park can combine birding with the most desired gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and mountain hiking others. Volcanoes National Park protects five out of eight Virunga mountains. These include Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity in Volcanoes National Park. Visitors get an opportunity to move on foot into the tropical rainforest to hunt for habituated mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts very early in the morning with a briefing. It’s about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start the trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours. The time depends on where the mountain gorillas are located. Naturally, they move from one place to another in the hunt for food.

During trekking, you will be able to spot other primate species and the vegetation. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Henceforth, you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, and how they carry out their daily activities. Such activities include feeding, breastfeeding, playing, recording videos, and taking pictures to show people back home.

Golden monkey trekking

Volcanoes National Park is one of the two national parks in East Africa where you go golden monkey trekking. Spotting them is safe and possible. such a national park includes Mgahinga National Park in Uganda situated in the southwest province of the country. Golden monkeys are a unique and endangered monkey species. Because the monkeys feed on the lower slopes of the mountain, which are fairly accessible, golden monkey tracking is less difficult than gorilla tracking. The permit for trekking these marvelous apes costs USD 100.

Dian Fossey Tomb hike

The Dian Fossey trail is located in the valley between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi. It starts from the base of Mt. Bisoke and goes to the interment place and the research station, Karisoke, of famous researcher Dian Fossey who devoted her life to studying and advocating for the protection of the mountain gorillas and their habitat in Rwanda and the neighboring countries. The Dian Fossey trail offers a wonderful trek with astonishing views of the mountains and exclusive mountain vegetation such as orchids and an opportunity to encounter the mountain gorillas. The Dian Fossey trail offers a less energetic hike. Hiking the entire trail takes about 3-4 hours to complete the trek.

Best time to go for birding in Volcanoes National Park

You can go for birding in the Volcanoes National Park any time of the year. However, the volcanoes are usually wet with mist covering them. The dry seasons will be the ideal time for your bird-viewing safari in the park. This is mostly in the dry months of June, July, August, and September. It also is there in the shorter seasons of December, January up to mid-February. Within the dry months, there is low rain. This thus offers a perfect timing to spot numerous bird species than in the wet seasons.

In conclusion, apart from bird watching, Volcanoes National Park is home to several wildlife species. These include the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, giant forest hogs, duikers, buffaloes, African elephants, and spotted hyenas. Volcanoes National Park is where you find 5 out of 8 Virunga mountains. These are mountain Karisimbi, Muhabura, Bisoke, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo as well as the Dian Fossey grave. You can visit the other three national parks in Rwanda can be visited for many tourism activities including bird-watching safaris. These include Akagera National Park with the big 5 animals which you can see during the game drive. You can also choose to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park to trek chimpanzees. Lastly, you can visit Gishwati-Mukura National Park for primate watching.