Akagera National Park is one of the best bird-watching destinations in Rwanda, second only to Nyungwe Forest National Park located in the south of Rwanda.
With over 500 different bird species, Akagera National Park is a true birding paradise.
One hundred species of the 500 are endemic to Akagera National Park, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else in the country, making the park a hotspot in Rwanda for any bird lover.
Akagera’s birds come in different shapes, sizes, and beautiful colors.
Akagera National Park is the biggest protected wetland in Central Africa with a good number of lakes, swamps (seasonal and permanent), and marshes providing good habitats for aquatic/water bird species and butterflies.
The vast park is also covered in open Savannah grasslands and forested areas providing habitats for the plains and forest/woodland bird species.
Birds of Akagera National Park
To mention but a few: Some of the notable/common birds you will see on a birding safari in Akagera National Park are the African fish eagle, the black-headed weaverbirds, the black-headed gonolek, sooty chat, marabou stork, crested barbet, Ross’s turaco, lilac-breasted roller, Heuglin’s robin chat, cormorants, pelicans, saddle-billed stork, African Jacana, white-browed coucal, cattle egret, long-crested eagle, grey-crowned crane, white-backed vultures, palm-nut vultures, blue-cheeked bee-eater, little bee-eater, common squacco heron, goliath heron, African darter, Eastern grey plantain eater, bared-faced go-away bird, spur-winged goose, grey hornbill, western reef heron, grasshopper buzzard, different raptor species, amur falcon, lesser jacana, lesser owl, martial eagle, red-faced barbet, short-tailed pipit, white-winged swamp warbler, shoe-bill stork, papyrus gonolek, pied kingfisher, woodland kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, long-tailed cisticola, lapwings, nightjars among so many others including migratory bird species like great snipe and the lesser kestrel.
Best Time for Bird Watching in Akagera National Park
Bird watching is an all-year-round activity in Akagera National Park because each season presents different bird species.
Migratory birds are present in the park from November through to April and the rest of the months, the resident birds are always present.
The breeding season (February to July) is when you will see a lot of herons, cormorants, storks, and darters.
Take a boat ride on Lake Ihema for amazing birding experiences of the water birds and marsh/papyrus species.
Game drives and guided walking safaris are also good chances of seeing the birds of Akagera National Park.
Avoid unnecessary sudden movements and sounds during your birding activity so that you do not scare away the birds.
Carry your checklist and binoculars with you for your safari to Akagera.
Visit Akagera National Park in Rwanda with these recommended Rwanda tour companies or send us an inquiry below to book through us directly.
