Birding in Akagera National Park

Birding in Akagera National Park is one of the most interesting activities that are done in the park since it harbors a number of bird species. Akagera national park is famously known for having all the big 5 animals in Rwanda which has attracted a number of tourists into the country to see all the big 5 animals in the country. But aside from the big five, there are a number of attractions that can be seen while in the park which include the boat cruise, cultural tours around akagera national park, game drives, sport fishing, nature walks but among the other activities that have attracted tourists to visit Akagera National park, birding has contributed the number of tourists that access the park.

Remarkably in the park, birding has also attracted many birders from different parts of the world to take part in the thrilling activity this is because of over 482 bird species that can be seen in the park making it another activity while in the park that attracts a number of tourists to take part in. Therefore visit Akagera National Park to be part of the amazing adventures of the park where you will see a number of bird species and the following is a guide which will help you while participating in the activity.

Bird Species in Akagera National Park

The park is home to over 482 bird species of which, 100 of the different bird species, are endemic to Akagera National Park thus they cannot be found elsewhere in Rwanda which is quite fascinating. Participate in the thrilling activity to see the 100 bird species that can be seen within the park and not elsewhere in Rwanda.

The different bird species that can be seen in the park include; the breasted roller, black headed gonalek Ross’s turaco, Heuglin’s robin chat, Amur falcon, brown crested lapwing, shoe bill stork, western reef heron, yellow-bellied eremomela, blue shouldered robin-chat, eleonora’s falcon, tabora cisticola booted eagle, grey hornbill, African King fisher red faced barbet, sooty falcon, Cabanis; bunting, crested barbet, slate-coloured boubou, souza’s shrike, striped pip[it denham’s bustard, , grasshopper buzzard, northern brown- throated weaver, papyrus gonolek an endangered bird species in the world, dirmophic egret crested barbet among other different bird species that can be seen during the activity

Travel tips for birding in Akagera National Park

Avoid attracting birds with audio sounds because some of them might interfere with their activities and come off as false alarms which will keep you away from seeing them.
Respect the nests of the birds even if you want to see the young ones of the birds whose nests are constructed i=on the grasslands
Follow the lead of the guide, in order to have a safe birding activity while in the park because the guide knows the right routes in the park to follow to have a safe birding activity in the park
Avoid making noise because it can scare away the bird species when you come in contact with them
Avoid unnecessary movements in the presence of the birds which can scare them away limiting your chances of seeing them.
In case you don’t know a bird ask the guide other than disrupting other tourists interested in learning more about the different bird species. This is because of the need to avoid disrupting the tourists during their amazing birding experience in Akagera National Park.

Packing List for Birding in Akagera National Park

Binoculars which will enable you to see the different bird species from a distance.
Cameras to capture the beautiful bird species in the park and also to keep memories of your birding adventure in the park.
A hat should not miss out on your packing list because it will give you shade and protect you from direct sunlight during your birding experience in the park for instance if you carry out the activity during the dry season.
Hiking boots/safari boots which will help you to move swiftly through the thickets, the waterlogged areas making your activity easy while in the park.
Bird checklist, a bird checklist is also important during birding because it will enable you identify the different bird species that can be seen in the park and their relevant information which will ensure you have an amazing birding experience in Akagera National Park. the bird checklist or guide can be found at the park entrance.

BEST TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN BIRDING

There is no best time to participate in birding in Akagera national Park because every day is the best time to carry out birding in the park because of the park’s favorable climate. You will have a chance to see a number of migrant bird species during the dry season as they run away from winter conditions from their countries and from the different countries to the park. The different migrant bird species that can be seen within the park include; African open bill, black stork, abdim’s stork, saddle-billed stork, barn swallow, common cuckoo, Eurasian bee-eater, Common swift among other bird species. The dry season is also a perfect opportunity for you to see the wetland birds like the francolins, papyrus gonolek, African wattled lapwing, African darter, and Squacco heron. The different seasons in the country will give you the chance to see a number of different bird species

WHEN CAN YOU SEE THE BIRD SPECIES

The activity of birding in Akagera National Park involves tourists moving around the park to the different birding spots. Birding in the park can be carried out during nature walks through the thickets and grasslands of the park where you will see a number of bird species like the African wattled plover, Senegal lapwings, grey crowned crane, long-toed thick-knee, water thick-knee among other bird species.

During the boat cruise, you will get to see a number of water birds like the cormorants, lapwings, gulls, terns, skimmers, cuckoos and so many more. You will also see a number of bird species during sport fishing where you will see the water birds, during the game drives you will see the birds in the savannah grasslands and the thickets in the park many more.