Unforgettable birding safari in Volcanoes National Park : Birding 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. Birding in Volcanoes National Park can be combined with Gorilla trekking or golden monkey trekking activities to make your safari fun and memorable. Bird viewing at Volcanoes National Park is one of the exciting activities done during Rwanda birding safaris, and it provides tourists with an insight into the varied wildlife found in Rwanda’s famed lush rain forest. The park is a home of over 200 remarkable species of birds, of which 17 are endemic to the Albertine Rift and the 13 of these species of birds are endemic to Virunga Mountains.
Volcanoes national park is a birders paradise haven where most of Rwanda’s visitors go to spot birds. Volcanoes National Park is situated in the northwest province of the country, it is a tropical rain forest 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
During birding safari in the park, you will have a great opportunity to spot some of the different wildlife species including the gorillas and golden monkeys. The park is an excellent birding destination site with a variety of habitants, you will be amazed with different bird species such as lovely francolin, strange weavers, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s ground robin, Collared Apalis, Doherty’s bush- shrike, Red-faced woodland warblers, Brown-necked parrot, Baglafecht weaver, African long-eared owl and Dusky Crimsonwing among others.
Bird viewing at volcanoes national like any other activities, starts in the morning with a guiding rules and regulations at the park headquarters before proceeding in to the bush to search for some parks residents. during the bird walking safari in the park, you will also get chance to see some of the wildlife animals such as cape buffaloes, bushbucks, Orchids Forest Elephants ,primate butterflies among others and lots of unique mountain vegetation when spotting for birds species at volcanoes national park.
Packing list for tourists when birding in volcanoes national park.
The essentials to consider on your birding safari adventure in Volcanoes National Park such as birds guidebook, a pair of binoculars for spotting small and distant species, good camera with good lens and enough storage , enough drinking water and snacks, sunglasses, strong waterproof hiking boots, long stocks, walking stick, long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from being scratched, a hat, rain jacket and a sweater due to the unpredictable weather, backpack for carrying the items you will need while birding, first aid kit ,long trouser because you will be walking through the jungles with unpleasant vegetation among others.
Other activates to combine with bird viewing in volcanoes national park
Birders in volcanoes national park can combine birding with the most desired gorilla trekking that makes you meet face to face with endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkey trekking and mountain hiking mongo others. Volcanoes national park protects five out of eight Virunga mountains and these include Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity in Volcanoes National Park where visitors gets an opportunity to move on foot into the tropical rainforest in hunt for habituated mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to be followed during trekking. After the briefing, you will start the trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located since naturally they move from one place to another in hunt for food. During trekking, you will be able to spot other primates species and the vegetation and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment where you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, how the carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, record videos and take pictures to show people back home
Golden monkey trekking
Volcanoes national park is one of the two national parks in east African where golden monkey trekking and spotting is safe and possible, such national park includes Mgahinga national park in Uganda situated in the southwest province of the country. Golden monkeys are 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 foe trekking this marvelous apes cost 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
You can go for birding in the volcanoes national park any time of the year. However the volcanoes are usually wet and often covered in the mist, the dry seasons will be a best ideal for your bird viewing safari in the park mostly in the dry months of June, July, August and September and in the shorter seasons of December, January up to mid-February. Within the dry months, there are low rain and thus offering a perfect time to spot numerous bird species that in the wet seasons.
In conclusion, apart from bird watching, volcanoes national park is a home to a number of wild life species among which include the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, giant forest hogs, duikers, buffaloes, African elephants, spotted hyenas among others. Volcanoes national park is where you find 5 out of 8 Virunga mountains and these are mountain Karisimbi, Muhabura, Bisoke, Gahinga and Sabyinyo as well as Dian Fossey grave. There are other three national parks in Rwanda that can be visited for many tourism activities including bird watching safaris and these include Akagera national park with big 5 animals that can be seen during the game drive, or you can choose to visit Nyungwe forest national park to trek chimpanzees and lastly you can visit Gishwati-Mukura national park for primate watching.
