Birding in Gishwati-Mukura national park
Birding in Gishwati-Mukura national park is an amazing activity that tourists like to experience in addition to chimpanzee trekking in the Gishwati-Mukura forest. Gishwati-Mukura national park is located in the western part of Rwanda and is among the most important birding areas in the country. The national park has over 230 bird species that have been so far recorded in this park, 20 of these are endemic to the Albertine region and 10 are found on the IUCN Red List meaning they are rare and threatened.
The good thing with doing bird watching activities in Gishwati-Mukura national park, you get opportunities to meet some of the forest animals such as endangered chimpanzees, golden monkeys, duikers, eastern needle-clawed galago, serval cats, leopards, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest’s monkeys, mongoose, civets, black and white colobus monkeys, potto, and olive baboons among others.
Birding in Gishwati-Mukura national park
Birding in Gishwati-Mukura national park is done in the morning or evening hours and starts with a briefing. This is where birders are taught about the rules and regulations of the birding activity before they are given a well-trained birder guide to lead them into the jungle. Some of the rules include keeping in your circle, moving slowly, toning down the blinding effect, keeping quiet, and leaving no litter among others.
Birds in Giswhati-Mukura national park
There are over 230 bird species in the forest of Gishwati-Mukura and these include Regal Sunbird, cardinal woodpecker, purple-breasted sunbird, booted eagle, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Abyssinian ground-thrush, grasshopper buzzard, Ruwenzori Batis, Woodhoopoe, black-faced apalis, red-faced barbet, Martial Eagle, Strange weave, short-tailed warbler, handsome francolin, Dusky Crimsonwing, yellow ramped tinker bird, slaty flycatcher, Ruwenzori Turaco, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Red-throated Alethe, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, great blue turaco, grey crowned crane, and strange weaver among others.
What to pack for birding in Gishwati-Mukura national park?
There are so many things you need to come with you to Gishwati-Mukura national park in order to have the best birding experience. These include a pair of binoculars to see distant birds, a camera to take photos, a torch to light in case you return dark in the night, a paper book to take notes, a voice recorder, pens, waterproof hiking shoes, long-sleeved clothes, sunglasses, a hat, rain jacket, refilling water bottle, energy-giving snacks, face mask, sanitizer, and insect repellents.
What is the best time to visit Gishwati-Mukura national park for birding?
Gishwati-Maukura national park is open for birding at any time of the year but there are some months that are better than the rest. the drier months of June to September and December to February are the best for birding activities in this park because they are characterized by little or no rainfall, the birding trails are less slippery, and the roads leading to the park are passable.
Birders can still visit Gishwati-Mukura national park in the rainy season of March to May and October to November for birding activities and enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. During the rainy seasons, there are so many bird species in Gishwati-Mukura national park including the migratory ones due to plenty of food but there is plenty of rainfall, the trekking trails are muddy and the roads leading to the park are passable.
Accommodation on a birding safari in Gishwati-Mukura national park
Birders wanting to stay a night or more on a birding safari in Gishwati-Mukura national park don’t have to worry about where they will stay because there are so many accommodation facilities available for tourists to stay around this park. Accommodation facilities include Emeraude Kivu resort, Golden monkey hotels, INZU Lodge, peace guest hotel, KCCCEM guest house, The Uwinka campsite, Gisakura family hostel, Muhabura Mountain Lodge, and Comoran Lodge among others.
