9 Days Rwanda Birding and Gorilla Tracking Tour

Day 1: Arrival for Rwanda Birding Safari


Arrival for Tour and transfer to Akagera National Park

Akagera boosts of a rich bird Checklist of over 525 species, this reflects the extremely wide diversity of habitat. 44 species of raptor, Papyrus Gonolek, Shoebill Storkand a good number of Palearctic migrants, amongst which Lesser Kestrel, Great Snipe and Black-winged have been recorded. The park represents the northern limit of distribution of a number of Zambezian biome species, including Sauza’s Shrike, Arnot’s Chat, and Long-tailed Cisticola. One species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome, seven of the Afrotropical Highlands biome, nine of the eleven species of the Lake Victoria Basin biome that occur in Rwanda have been recorded at this site.
The park also has a health mammal list of over 50 species among which include the African Elephant which was introduced to the park in 1975.

On the way, we hope to pocket African Palm Swift, Little Swift, Mottled Swift, Black-headed Waxbill, Black-crowned Waxbill, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Archer's Robin-chat, Collared Apalis, Crowned Eagle, Slender-billed Starling, Grauer's Scrub-Warbler, Common Bulbul, Village Weaver, Red-eyed Dove, and many more.
Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (Full Board)

Day 2: Whole Day Birding Akagera National Park – Rwanda Birding Safaris
Today we look for the species listed in the over 500 species checklist known to Akagera, species will include; White-crowned Black Chat, Familiar Chat, Black-winged Bishop and Arrow-marked Babbler, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Shoebill, African Open-billed Stork, Egyptian Goose, Long-toed Lapwing, Spur-winged Plover, Black Crake, Long-tailed Cormorant, Great Cormorants, Goliath Heron, African Marsh Harrier, Bateleur, Red-faced Barbet, Long-tailed, Trilling, Tabora, Rattling and Winding Cisticolas, Miombo Wren Warbler, Green-capped Eremomela, Red-faced Crombec, Rueppell's Long-tailed Starling, Amethyst Starling, Senegal Lapwing, Water Dikkop, Brubru, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Brown Parrot, Red-necked Spurfowl, Broad-tailed Warbler, Bennett's Woodpecker, Sooty Chat, White-winged Black Tit, Flappet Lark, Souza's Shrike, Crested Barbet and many more. Other wildlife may include; Giraffe, African Elephant, Hippopotamus, Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Warthog, Impala, just to mention but a few.
Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (Full Board)


Day 3: Birding to Volcanoes National Park for Mountain Gorilla Trekking

We set out in the morning, bird some birding spots along the way arriving in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Full Board)


Day 4: Rwanda Gorilla Tracking- Volcanoes NP

The main activity today will be Mountain Gorilla Tracking. Mountain gorillas are the largest living primates and the world's most endangered apes with an estimated population of less than 800 left in the wild of the whole world and none in zoos. The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei), was not yet known to scientist until 1902. They are the next closest living relatives to human beings after the two chimpanzee species, sharing 97% DNA with us. Do leisurely birding in the afternoon around Volcans environs.
Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Full Board)Regal Sunbird


Day 5: Birdwatching Tour to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge | Gisakura Guest House (Full Board)

Day 6: Birding Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda – (Optional Chimpanzee Tracking)

Nyungwe forest is situated in south-west Rwanda between Lake Kivu and the international border with Burundi. Nyungwe is divided north–south by a line of mountains that reach 2,600–2,900 m and which form part of the Congo–Nile watershed. As a result, Nyungwe is composed of two areas differing in pedology, vegetation, water-flow and biodiversity.
This wonderful birding area lies west of Butare, with the Butare to Cyangugu road passing straight through the middle, providing excellent roadside birding. A total of 275 species have been recorded in Nyungwe, reflecting the wide habitat diversity and altitudinal range. These include, all the 25 species of the Albertine Rift mountains Endemic Bird Area that occur in Rwanda, Chapin’s Flycatcher and Rockefellers’ Sunbird (both globally threatened, restricted-range and biome-restricted). In addition, 11 of the 23 species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome and 71 of the 74 species of this biome of Afrotropical Highlands that occur in Rwanda have been recorded at this site. Generally, Nyungwe is certainly the most important forest for the conservation of montane birds in the region.

We have an early morning breakfast then set out to Uwinka for the Albertine Rrift endemic birds search. Among the many we look out for, include; Kivu Ground-Thrushm, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Red-chested, SunbirdRegal Sunbird, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Miombo Rock-Thrush, Mountain Masked Apalis, Black-faced Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, few Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Stripe-breasted Tit, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red- throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Handsome Francolin, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Olive Woodpecker, Mountain Greenbul, Rwenzori Hill-babbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Northern Puffback, White-starred Robin, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing, Thick-billed Seedeater, Streaky Seedeater, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Variable Sunbird, Waller's Starling, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, just to mention but a few.

Overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge | Gisakura Guest House (Full Board)

Day 7: Another Day Birdwatching Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda
We look for species probably missed the previous day, we hope to tick-off Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Sharpe's Starling, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Evergreen Forest Warbler, Dusky Tit, Doherty's Bush-shrike, Siffling Cisticola, Bronze Mannikin, Golden-breasted Bunting, Neumann's Warbler, Red-throated Alethe, Mountain Wagtail, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Equatorial Akalat, Black Cuckoo, Kungwe Apalis, White-bellied Robin-chat, and many more. We try our luck and listen out at night fall for the Rwenzori Nightjar (a nocturnal species), Albertine Owlet and Red-chested Owlet.
Overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge | Gisakura Guest House (Full Board)

Day 8: Transfer to Kigali for the Last Night
While birding to Kigali, we visit Murambi Genocide Memorial Museum and National Museum.

Day 9: Departure – End of Rwanda Birdwatching Tour



Please book this tour now via our 24/7 hot line
 +256 777 506 126 , +256 704 63 50 44   OR via
our email info@gorillatourbooking.com. or gorillatourbooking@gmail.com
 We are warmly waiting for you inquiry!
Book a gorilla  safari to Uganda and Rwanda

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5 Days of Rwanda gorillas, to Parc Nationale Des Volcanoes and Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

 

The 5 day gorilla tracking Rwanda and Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari , it give you an opportunity to trek mountain gorillas in Rwanda and BIG FIVE wildlife species in Queen Elizabeth National Park like like lions, leopard, elephants, hippos, buffalo  plus over 500 bird species in Uganda.


Online of the Itinerary  

Day 1. Arrival and transfer to Kinigi
Day 2. Gorilla Trekking, Parc National des Volcano
Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5.  Kigali City Tour and Return Home

Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1. Arrival and transfer to Kinigi

On your arrive at Kigali Airport , Our safari guide/drive will be waiting to receive you , You will be transferred to Volcanoes national park ,  Volcanoes national park in Rwanda is the most rewarding African Safari destination.

Spanning on a 160sqkm area in the northern part of Rwanda, Volcanoes national park is the oldest national park in Africa. It was initially a small area around Karisimbi, Mikeno and Visoke volcanoes which was gazetted to protect the Mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching.

In 1929, the park was extended into Rwanda and the then Belgian Congo and was named Albert national park managed and run by the Belgian Colonial Authorities. During early 1960s, the park was divided as Rwanda and Congo gained their independence and by the end of that decade, the park was almost half of its original size.

In 1967, the American zoologist Diana Fossey who had been doing research on mountain Gorillas in the forests of Congo fled from insecurity and established her research base at a place between Visoke and Karisimbi volcanoes that was yet to be known as Karisoke research center.

Where to Stay

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (D)

Manor Hotel Kigali (D)

Kigali Serena Hotel (D) More information where to stay  

Day 2. Gorilla Trekking, Parc National des Volcano 

After breakfast, our tour guide will lead you to the park headquarters for briefing from the head of the park rangers. At 8.30 am local time, commence the memorable gorilla tracking experience. You will be left in the presence of the awesome mountain gorillas for about an hour. Take photographs and enjoys the antics of baby gorillas as they swing from tree branch to another. The enthusiasm of your coming across with these apes will wipe away your intricacy of the strenuous trek..Gorilla trekking is the best wildlife experience in Africa.

Where to Stay

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (D)

Manor Hotel Kigali (D)

Kigali Serena Hotel (D) More information where to stay  

Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions Uganda kob.

Where to Stay
Overnight at Up-market
Mweya Safari Lodge
Jacana safari lodge
Kitandara Hippo Hill Camp More information where to stay at Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner



Day 4: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

In Morning we head for a game drive in the northern part of the park in search for lion , elephants ,solitary , buffaloes , Ugandan Kobs.

The afternoon we will go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray at a mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.

Where to Stay
Overnight at Up-market
Mweya Safari Lodge
Jacana safari lodge
Kitandara Hippo Hill Camp 
Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner


Day 5. Kigali City Tour and Return 

After breakfast , the tour will continue to Kigali for Art and Craft shopping , tour Kigali city the capital of Rwanda. Have lunch enroute and then Transfer to the airport.

The package includes:
- Airport transfers
- Transportation by safaris van
- Use of English-speaking driver /guide
- Accommodation on Full-Board as per itinerary
- Gorilla permits, one per person to be paid for in advance.
- Mineral water
- City tour

The package excludes: 
- Rwanda Visa,
- Uganda Visa,
- Porter fee while trekking in Parc National des Volcanoes
- Beverages
- Laundry

- Tips among other personal nature requirements. 

Please book this tour now via our 24/7 hot line 
 +256 776 566 077 , +256 704 63 50 44   OR via 
our email info@gorillatourbooking.com. or gorillatourbooking@gmail.com
 We are warmly waiting for you inquiry!

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