You begin your day by Transfer to one of the important birding areas  around Kigali City.

 Nyandungu Eco-park was opened in 2022, making it the newest addition to birdwatching spots in Kigali City. Also established on a superbly restored wetland, the park covers 121.7 hectares of wetland and forest habitats and hosts more than 100 bird species. The eco tourism park has 10 kilometers of paved walking and cycling trails. One of the birds to look out for is the striking Black Cuckoo-shrike. Nyandungu is less than 30 minutes drive from the city center making it the most convenient prime birding hotspots in Kigali.  

 Umusambi Village, a new birding hotspot & arguably the number one in the city, is the first wildlife reserve in Kigali, purposely established to rehabilitate and give a home to rescued Grey Crowned Cranes in Rwanda. It is located on the edge of Kigali City along the way to east of the country. Established on restored wetland, the reserve with a range of habitats such as swamp, grassland, bush and woodland hosts more than 100 species of birds. What makes Umusambi wetland even more wonderful for birding it a very neat trail network reaching the different parts of the reserve and offering access to the different habitats. One of the specials to look out for is the White-collared Oliveback as the reserve offers may be the best sightings in Rwanda. Other species to look forward to include Trilling Cisticola, Purple-crested Turaco, Lesser Honeyguide, Black-shouldered Nightjar, Green-winged Pytilia, African Firefinch, Olive Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Apalis, etc 

Nyarutarama lake: A convenient birding spot in within Kigali, Nyarutarama Lake, located near the Kigali Golf Course, has paths around it which offer excellent birdwatching at the lake, providing a good count of water species. Some of the birds you will see here include: Yellow-billed Duck, Squacco Heron, White-faced Whistling Duck, Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Teal, African Spoonbill, Spur-winged Geese, Little Grebe, Common Moorhen, Hadada Ibis, Black Crake, Black Egret, Cater Egret, and Black-headed Heron among others. The vegetation on the fringes of the lake provides many birds such as Black Kite, African Fish Eagle, Pygmy Kingfisher, White-browed Coucal, Grey-capped Warbler, Winding Cisticola, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Paradise Flycatcher, African Hobby, Swamp Flycatcher, 

After a successful day with a full bird list you will transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight

Activities: Birdwatching around Kigali

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Overnight: Mille Collines Hotel

After early breakfast you shall head off to the east of Rwanda for the birding and wildlife safari in Akagera National Park. Akagera national park is special in Rwanda because it protects the only savanna habitat in a country which is mostly mountainous.  An internationally listed IBA, Akagera National Park boasts of over 525 bird species, which is 2/3 of the bird species which occur in Rwanda. Akagera will provide plenty of savanna, woodland and wetland species, and between the months of Sept and April, the park hosts many Palearctic migrants.

On checking into the park you shall immediately starting birdwatching in Akagera National Park. You will be ushered into Akagera by the constant calls of the Little Rush Warbler. Drive through the game circuits after the park entrance and start recording birds. The area near the entrance of Akagera National Park is predominantly covered by acacia thickets, woodlands and some grassland & wetland. You will also enjoy observing some animals including Zebra, Antelopes, monkeys and probably the Rhinos which are found in this part of the park. Afternoon you will check in to the lodge and have lunch

Later in the day you shall do a sunset boat ride on Lake Ihema which is the biggest lake in Akagera National Park. Expect sighting several water associated birds including African Jacana, Swamp Flycatcher, African Fish Eagle, and migrants such as Wood & Common Sandpiper. Several other aquatic wildlife such as hippos & crocodiles are plentiful.

Activities: Game drive/birdwatching/ boat cruise

Meals: Full board

Overnight: Akagera Game lodge. 

Up by 6am, have a quick breakfast and head out for a full day of birding and safari in Akagera National Park. Spend the day birding in the southern lower regions of the park whose habitat is generally dominated by dense acacia thickets and woodlands, thick wooded grasslands and lake shores and swamps. Top on the list is the Red-faced Barbet an East African endemic that is considered a special of Akagera National Park. Later in the day you will go a little further up towards the higher and rockier north and continue to tick off more birds and animals.

As night sets in you will look out for the Nightjars and other night elements before winding up the day’s birding.

Activities: Game drive/birdwatching

Meals: Full board

Overnight: Akagera Game lodge

Early morning breakfast and check out from the hotel. This is yet another fruitful day of birding and safari in Akagera National Park, As you  leave the camp you will have your packed lunch for the day. Head to the north of the park whose wetlands are known to offer the best chance at the rare Shoebill (still seeing it is very difficult and you should not have your hopes up) and the beautiful savannah plains will provide your best animal views in Akagera National Park. The north of the park has more savannah and grassland and most animals such as the grazers are found here and thus the predators like the lions and hyenas favor this area due to the abundant prey. The Kilala Plains in the park is the major animal viewing area of Akagera National Park. Expect to record may savannah bird species.

After birding you will exit the park and proceed to Kigali for dinner and overnight.

Activities: Game drive and bird safari

Meals: Bed & breakfast

Overnight: Mille Colline. 

You start your day having breakfast then transfer to Nyungwe. On your way, stop along the Nyabarongo river basin for more bird watching.  

The Nyabarongo River Wetlands is a protected area in Rwanda, covering 142.62 km². It is located in the south-east of the country, south-east of Kigali, and includes swamps and marshes in part of the flood-plain of the Nyabarongo river, the longest river in Rwanda.The wetlands are hydrated by the Nyabarongo River, a tributary of the Nile, which empties into the Akagera River which, in turn, flows into Lake Victoria.

Ater lunch procees to Nyungwe Forest National Park in south-west Rwanda is the largest expanse of montane forest in East or Central Africa. With altitudes ranging from l,600 meters to 2,95O meters, the park covers 970 sq km and is one of the richest areas in Africa in terms of endemic species. best known for its amazing for flora with over 250 species of tree and for its 13  varieties of primate. Nyungwe is also considered the best birding destination in Rwanda with over 320 bird species, of which at least 29 are unique to the montane forest environment of the Albertine Rift. In particular, birdwatchers. 

Activities: Birding and transfer to nyungwe

Meals: Half board

Overnight: Kivu Marina bay Hotel. 

Today you shall go for the Chimpanzee tracking. Nyungwe national park is popular for its many primates with 13 species recorded of which include the chimpanzees. There are about 500 chimps in Nyungwe and two groups have been habituated for the chimpanzee tracking adventure in Rwanda.

The chimp tour in Nyungwe starts at 4.30am by meeting the park guides at Gisakura ranger station, and after briefing you shall drive to the starting point of the chimpanzee trek. After an amazing encounter with man’s closest relatives you shall return to the lodge for lunch or relaxation and before going for birding later in the afternoon. In the afternoon, continue birding in nyungwe national park a remarkable, given diverse its diverse range of avian species and the lush and the birding experience that combines thrill of spotting rare species with in beauty of Rwanda’s natural landscape 

Activities:  Chimpanzee Trekking & Birding at Nyungwe

Meals: Full board

Overnight: Kivu Marina bay Hotel. 

This day is dedicated to birding in Kamiranzovu swamp searching for the rare Ruwenzori turacos, Grauer’s swamp warblers, etc. You will visit different locations in the park to try and see as much as you can and if possible, all the 27 endemic birds of the Albertine rift found in Nyungwe forest.

 After you will have lunch and later head out for the afternoon canopy walk. The walk way hangs through the forest canopy 50 meters above the ground and 200 meters long. The walkway provides breathtaking views over Nyungwe, and also eye-level sightings of canopy wildlife such birds and monkeys. The canopy walk has become iconic for Nyungwe and thus one not to miss out on your trip to Nyungwe Forest Park. 

Activities: Birding and Canopy Walk

Meals: Half board

Overnight: Kivu Marina bay Hotel. 

Today will be spent on the higher altitudes further into the Nyungwe Forest National Park. You will leave the hotel with your packed lunch. take on a full day on the Bigugu trail and will hike to the Mt. Bigugu (2950m) the highest point in the park. Bigugu trail is very productive for Albertine endemics including the much sought-after Red-collared Mountain-babbler. The Mt. Bigugu hike will also expose you to exhilarating views of the Nyungwe Forest. 

Activities: Bigugu trail hike + Birding 

Meals: fullboard

Overnight: Kivu Marina bay Hotel. 

 After an early cup of coffee and tea head off for whole day birding in Nyungwe Forest, covering birding trails from the area around Gisakura, Karamba, and Karmiranzovu. The visit to Karmiranzovu provides a good chance at the Grauer’s Swamp Warbler. This area has many of Angolan Colobus Monkeys and monkey species which you may see along the birding trails 

Activities:Full day Birding

Meals: fullboard

Overnight: Kivu Marina bay Hotel. 

Transfer to Kinigi through the remote but beautiful Congo-Nile trail; taking you through the towns of Kibuye and Gisenyi as you get fantastic views of Lake Kivu and also gives you chance to visit the Bisesero genocide hills.  You will travel along the beautiful Lake Kivu and can make occasional stops along the way for some birding along the lake. 

Activities: Birding and transfer to volcanoes

Meals: Half board

Overnight: 5 Volcanoes. 

Early morning breakfast at 6:30am then drive to the park headquarters, arrival to the park reception, briefing and grouping, completing park formalities then embark on a once in a lifetime experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long-lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. 

 After lunch, visit the twin lakes - Burera and Ruhondo, lakes for more birdwatching via Rugezi swamps enjoy the beautiful views, amazing landscapes and volcanic formations in the north.  

Activities:Gorilla Trekking & Bird watching to Twin Lakes

Meals: Full board

Overnight: 5 Volcanoes. 

Follow the same procedures but choose the rare Albertine rift endemic golden monkeys for a memorable and exciting experience in Volcanoes National Park is trekking to see the golden monkeys with the golden coated fur that makes them strikingly beautiful, two golden monkey groups can be tracked - one on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and the other in the bamboo forest on Mount Sabyinyo. Tracking through the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of 200 species of colourful birds and their chattering, is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area.

In the afternoon, transfer to the Buhanga forest in search of the rare African Pitta and other species in this small volcanic forest catchment 

Activities: Golden monkey  Trekking & Bird watching at Buhanga

Meals: Full board

Overnight: 5 Volcanoes. 

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation after check out and then Head to Kigali.

After lunch you will transfer to the Kigali international airport and depart 

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