12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari
The 12-day Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity of this stunning East African nation. This comprehensive journey intertwines two of Rwanda’s most celebrated attractions: its vibrant avian populations and its iconic mountain gorillas. Participants will traverse a variety of habitats, from wetlands to lush rainforests, engaging in birdwatching excursions that showcase over 700 species indigenous to the region. Additionally, the itinerary includes treks into the Volcanoes National Park, where adventurers can encounter the majestic gorillas in their natural habitat. This expedition promises a unique blend of ecological discovery and intimate wildlife encounters, catering to nature enthusiasts and conservation advocates
Outlined Itinerary of the 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari
Day 1: Arrival for the 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari
Day 2: Birding to Nyungwe Forest
Day 3 &4: Exploring the Albertine Rift Endemics (Optional Chimp Trekking)
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Nyungwe Forest
Day 6: Birding to Lake Kivu
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park
Day 9: Birding to Akagera National Park
Day 10 and 11: All day Birding Akagera National Park
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali for departure
Detailed Itinerary of the12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari
Day 1: Arrival for the 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari
You will arrive in Rwanda, also known as “the land of a thousand hills,” today. At the airport, a Journeys Uganda representative will meet you and take you to your accommodation. You may get the chance to take a quick tour of Kigali’s city, depending on when you arrive.
Accommodation: For Points by Sheraton
Day 2: Birding to Nyungwe Forest
With just a few brief birdwatching stops along the way, we will travel from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park on this day of the 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari. Before arriving at our lodge, we look out for the White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek, and Grauer’s Swamp Warbler among the marshy areas and papyrus.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Day 3 &4: Exploring the Albertine Rift Endemics (Optional Chimp Trekking)
One of Africa’s last great montane forests, Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to a variety of birds, particularly endemic to the Albertine Rift. The Handsome Francolin, Great Blue and Rwenzori Turacos, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Chestnut Owlet, Olive, and Elliot’s Woodpeckers are among the species we look for during our two days of birding in Nyungwe Forest. Doherty’s Bush-Shrike, Mountain Masked, Black-faced, and Collared Apalises, Rwenzori Batis, Neumann’s Short-tailed Warbler, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Purple-breasted and Regal Sunbirds, Archer’s Robin-Chat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Archer’s Robin-Chat, and Stripe-breasted Tit, among others, are also expected to be spotted on this day of the 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Nyungwe Forest
In the Nyungwe forest, chimpanzee trekking begins quite early in the morning. The guides get up early to locate the chimps as they begin their morning foraging routine. Following a briefing from the guide, begin your journey into the jungle in search of chimps. There are often trackers who set out early to find the chimps and get in touch with your guide. You are permitted to spend an hour with the chimps after you locate them.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Day 6: Birding to Lake Kivu
After breakfast this morning of our 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari, we head north to Lake Kivu, making many stops along the way to observe birds in the marshes, forests, and farms. Depending on how busy the birding is along the way, this trip could take the entire day. Upon arrival that evening, Lake Kivu will offer much-needed rest and shoreline birdwatching chances.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel/Gisenyi
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
One of the world’s most biologically rich regions is the area of the Virunga volcanoes which is shared by Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. In the late 1960s, Dian Fossey started her studies on mountain gorillas here. It can take several hours to drive from Lake Kivu to Musanze/Kinigi, with birdwatching stops along the way. Before going gorilla trekking, we will spend the night at our resort after making a brief stop in a particular area of the forest to look for Narina’s Trogon and other bird species.
Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park
In preparation for your encounter with a family of mountain gorillas, you will explore the forest of Volcanoes National Park on this day of the 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari. After receiving an orientation at the visitor centre, you are split up into various groups and given a ranger guide who can answer any questions you may have. Depending on where the gorillas nested the night before, the walk could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. For this event to be enjoyable, you must be a bit fit. You will spend an hour with these amazing creatures when you’ve located them.
The time you return from the gorilla hike will determine how you spend the remainder of the day. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent relaxing at your opulent lodge while birdwatching
Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Day 9: Birding to Akagera National Park
We depart for Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda, which borders Tanzania, after breakfast at your accommodation on this day of the 12- days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Safari. Cattle Egrets, Hamerkops, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzards, Long-crested Eagles, Pied Crows, Village, Black-headed, and Veillots Black Weavers are among the species we will be searching for in the marshy areas. Later that night, we will reach our resort for our stay there.
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Day 10 and 11: All day Birding Akagera National Park
Visit Lake Ihema by boat to see the Rufous-bellied Heron, Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, Slender-billed Weavers, Swamp Flycatchers, African Fish Eagles, and Greater Swamp Warblers. Goliath, Black-headed, and Squacco Herons, Little Bittern, Grey Crowned Crane, African Open Bill, African Darter, Black tern, African Wattled Plover, Long-toed and Senegal Lapwings, Water Thick-knee, Giant, Pied, and Malachite Kingfishers, and more are among the additional species.
Bird the savannah and forested regions after a boat ride to look for species such as the Brown Snake Eagle, Red-faced Barbet, Pearl-spotted Owlet, and Shouldered Robin-Chat, among others. Elephants, zebras, waterbucks, herds of buffalo, and impala may be seen while birdwatching in Akagera National Park.
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali for departure
Following your time spent birdwatching close to the lodge, you will begin your journey back to Kigali. When you get to Kigali, you head to the airport to catch your trip back home. This will mark the end of our 12- days Rwanda birding and gorilla safari.