Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Deluxe Vacations birding guide before transferring to your hotel for a short briefing about your safari. Depending on your arrival time, your first birding excursion takes you to Umusambi Village, a beautifully restored wetland sanctuary established to protect the endangered Grey Crowned Crane. Despite its location within Kigali, the reserve supports an impressive diversity of wetland, woodland and grassland birds, making it an excellent introduction to Rwanda’s birdlife. Look out for species such as White-collared Oliveback, African Firefinch, Green-winged Pytilia, Purple-crested Turaco, Spot-flanked Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide and numerous weavers, bishops and sunbirds. The relaxed pace allows time to settle into your safari while enjoying your first memorable sightings in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Hotel Des Mille Colline| Meal Plan: B
After breakfast, depart Kigali for the scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests and Rwanda’s premier birding destination. The journey passes through rolling hills, tea plantations and picturesque villages, offering opportunities for roadside birding and photography. Arriving in the afternoon, you’ll experience the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk, suspended high above the forest floor and providing a unique perspective of the forest canopy where many birds feed and nest. Keep watch for Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Rwenzori Batis, various greenbuls and colourful sunbirds moving through the treetops. As evening approaches, continue to your forest lodge where the sounds of Nyungwe’s rich birdlife provide the perfect backdrop for the days ahead.
Nyungwe Top View Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Today is dedicated to exploring the exceptional bird habitats surrounding Gisakura and the renowned Kamiranzovu Marsh, one of the finest locations in Rwanda for Albertine Rift endemic species. Early morning bird activity offers the best opportunities to search for Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, one of the region’s most sought-after birds. The surrounding montane forest supports an outstanding variety of endemic and forest specialists including Red-collared Babbler, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, White-bellied Robin-Chat and several greenbuls. Along the forest trails, your experienced guide will help identify birds by both sight and sound while also pointing out orchids, butterflies and primates that inhabit this remarkable ecosystem. Every section of the forest presents new opportunities to add exciting species to your growing checklist.
Nyungwe Top view Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Following an early breakfast, venture onto the celebrated Mount Bigugu Trail, one of Nyungwe’s most rewarding birding routes. Rising to nearly 3,000 metres above sea level, the trail traverses pristine montane forest rich in Albertine Rift specialties and high-altitude species. Patient birding may reveal Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird and the spectacular Rwenzori Turaco. Raptors such as Mountain Buzzard occasionally soar above the forest canopy while Olive Woodpeckers and forest robins can often be heard before they are seen. Besides the exceptional birdlife, the trail offers magnificent views across Rwanda’s rolling highlands, creating a rewarding combination of birdwatching, photography and mountain scenery.
Nyungwe Top view Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
This morning offers two rewarding ways to experience Nyungwe National Park. Adventurous travellers may choose an optional chimpanzee trekking excursion in the Cyamudongo Forest, where experienced trackers lead you through ancient rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees while numerous forest birds accompany the experience. Alternatively, dedicated birders can spend the entire day exploring additional forest trails in search of species not yet recorded during previous outings. The varied habitats provide excellent opportunities to encounter Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing and several elusive forest skulkers. Whether tracking primates or focusing exclusively on birds, today adds depth to your understanding of one of Africa’s richest montane ecosystems.
Nyungwe Top View Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and travel north along the breathtaking shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. The drive itself presents frequent opportunities to observe birds inhabiting lakeside vegetation, agricultural landscapes and small wetlands. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxed afternoon birding around the shoreline where species such as Southern Red Bishop, Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, African Jacana and numerous herons are regularly encountered. The peaceful lakeside setting offers a refreshing contrast to Nyungwe’s dense forests while providing excellent photographic opportunities against the backdrop of sparkling waters and surrounding hills. Spend the evening relaxing at your lakeside lodge while preparing for the next stage of your birding expedition.
Kivu Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing north towards Musanze, gateway to Volcanoes National Park. En route, visit Buhanga Eco Park, a sacred forest renowned for its cultural significance and rich birdlife. Although smaller than Nyungwe, the forest supports an excellent diversity of woodland species including Narina Trogon, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Mountain Illadopsis, African Paradise Flycatcher, Grey Apalis and colourful sunbirds moving through the forest canopy. The tranquil trails provide rewarding birding while offering fascinating insights into Rwanda’s cultural heritage and ancient traditions. After your exploration, continue to your lodge near Volcanoes National Park where spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes create a memorable setting for the remainder of your safari.
Mt. Gorilla View Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Today is devoted to exploring Rugezi Marsh, one of Rwanda’s most important wetlands and a recognised Important Bird Area renowned for its specialised marsh birds. This remarkable high-altitude wetland supports healthy populations of Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Swamp Warbler and numerous other wetland specialists. The surrounding farmland, shrubs and woodland edges further increase species diversity, providing opportunities to observe weavers, widowbirds, cisticolas, waxbills and raptors. Slow-paced birding with your expert guide allows time to appreciate the delicate ecology of this internationally significant habitat while searching for species rarely encountered elsewhere. Throughout the day, Rwanda’s spectacular scenery and peaceful rural landscapes enhance what is considered one of the country’s finest wetland birding experiences.
Mt. Gorilla View Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Rise early for an exciting day of birding within Volcanoes National Park, part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area. The park protects bamboo forests, Hagenia woodlands and afro-montane habitats that support nearly 200 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics. Depending on trail conditions and bird activity, you may encounter Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Archer’s Ground Robin, Strange Weaver, Lagden’s Bush Shrike and Handsome Francolin among many others. The dramatic volcanic landscape provides a spectacular backdrop as your guide carefully searches the forest for elusive species while interpreting the ecology of this unique mountain ecosystem. Travellers wishing to experience Rwanda’s iconic mountain gorillas may also replace today’s birding with an optional gorilla trekking adventure.
Mt. Gorilla View Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before departing Musanze for Kigali, with additional birding stops made whenever interesting species are encountered along the journey. Rwanda’s varied agricultural landscapes, wetlands and roadside woodlands often produce rewarding final sightings, offering excellent opportunities to add a few last species to your trip list. Upon arrival in Kigali, there may be time to visit local craft markets or enjoy lunch before your transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight. As your Rwanda Signature Birding Expedition comes to an end, you leave with remarkable memories of one of Africa’s most accessible birding destinations, an impressive collection of bird sightings and a deeper appreciation of Rwanda’s extraordinary natural heritage.
No Accommodation | Meal Plan: B
