Birding Safari in Volcanoes National Park: Volcanoes National Park sits in the northwestern corner of Rwanda, and it offers one of the most exciting birding experiences on the African continent. The park covers 160 square kilometres and hosts over 200 different bird species, including 13 Albertine Rift endemics and 16 Virunga Mountains endemics. While most visitors come specifically for gorilla trekking, the park’s incredible birdlife gives every nature lover an equally compelling reason to visit. At Anthill Safaris, we design birding trips that help you experience every remarkable corner of this extraordinary park.
Why Choose Volcanoes National Park for Birding?
Birding in Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s most accessible safari activities. Unlike gorilla trekking, which requires an expensive permit booked well in advance, birding simply requires scheduling your trip and paying a modest daily fee. This makes it an ideal activity to combine with other experiences during your Rwanda safari. Rwanda currently boasts around 700 known bird species, and the list continues to grow. Among these are 29 Albertine Rift Endemics and several Lake Victoria Basin Endemics that serious birders travel great distances to see.
Birds You Will Spot in Volcanoes National Park
The birdlife in Volcanoes National Park is rich and varied. As you move through the lush rainforest, you can expect to encounter the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Archer’s Ground Robin, Collared Apalis, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Brown Woodland Warbler, Dusky Crimson-wing, Dusky Turtle Dove, Handsome Francolin, strange weavers, and the Brown-necked Parrot, among many others. Every birding excursion begins with a briefing at the park headquarters, after which your guide leads you into the forest. Along the way, you will also encounter buffalo, bushbucks, various primates, and colourful butterflies, making each outing a full wildlife experience.
The Best Time to Go Birding
Birding Safari in Volcanoes National Park. You can enjoy birding in Volcanoes National Park throughout the year, and each season brings its own rewards. The wet season, particularly between April and November, is the best time for spotting migratory birds. During these months, additional species from across the globe arrive in the park, significantly expanding what you can see. The dry season, on the other hand, offers cleaner trails and clearer views through the vegetation. Although mist often covers the park and forest trails can become muddy during heavy rains, the birding remains excellent regardless of the season. Anthill Safaris will help you plan your visit around your birding goals and comfort preferences.
Essential Bird Watching Equipment
Bringing the right equipment improves your birding experience enormously. A good pair of binoculars is the single most important piece of kit you will carry. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and allow you to observe fine details on birds perched high in the forest canopy. High-powered models deliver sharper results, though they require some practice before your trip. Night vision goggles or monoculars are also worth considering, especially for early morning outings when light levels are still low. Some models include infrared illuminators that improve visibility in dim conditions. A digital camera or audio recorder rounds out your kit perfectly, allowing you to capture bird calls and images that help with identification and give you wonderful memories to take home.
Birding Costs and Accommodation
Birding in Volcanoes National Park costs $55 per person per day, and this fee includes a professional guide assigned to you by the park. Accommodation options near the park range from budget guesthouses to luxury lodges. Popular choices include Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, One & Only Gorillas’ Nest, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, and Kinigi Guesthouse. Most mid-range and luxury lodges offer Wi-Fi, à la carte meals, laundry services, steam rooms, and open bars. Anthill Safaris will match you with the right accommodation to suit both your budget and your experience expectations.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park
The park lies approximately 105 kilometres from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, and takes about three hours to reach by road. The drive follows well-maintained roads and passes through beautiful rural landscapes. Alternatively, you can fly from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport and then drive to the park from there. Charter flights are also available for those who prefer a faster and more private journey.
Other Activities to Combine with Birding
One of the greatest advantages of visiting Volcanoes National Park is the sheer variety of activities available alongside birding. Gorilla trekking is the park’s signature experience and remains one of the most memorable wildlife encounters on earth. The park is home to 12 habituated gorilla groups, and trekking begins at 7 a.m. each day with a briefing at Kinigi headquarters. You spend one full hour with the gorillas once you locate them.
Golden monkey tracking is another popular option. It costs $100 per permit and is generally easier than gorilla trekking because the monkeys feed on the more accessible lower mountain slopes. The hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb takes two to four hours and offers a moving tribute to the primatologist who dedicated her life to protecting mountain gorillas.
For those who love hiking, the park’s volcanoes provide extraordinary challenges. Mount Bisoke rewards climbers with a stunning crater lake, while Mount Karisimbi offers a two-day summit climb at 4,507 metres. Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo both straddle international borders, giving hikers the rare experience of standing in three countries simultaneously.
Just outside the park, the Gorilla Guardians’ Village offers a warm cultural immersion through traditional dances, banana beer making, local cooking, and storytelling. The Buhanga Eco Park and Musanze Caves also provide fascinating historical and geological experiences that complement any birding safari perfectly.
Contact Anthill Safaris today to start planning your Volcanoes National Park birding adventure. We will take care of every detail from start to finish.
