One Day Birding Tour to Bugesera and Gashora wetlands is a rewarding birding excursion from Kigali City that explores the extensive marsh and woodland habitats of these two great Rwanda birding hotspots. This day-birding outing is led by our own bird-expert guide and can be further finetuned to suit your available time and expereince.
Bugesera and Gashora wetlands are some of the most accessible and rewarding birding hotspots close to Kigali City offering a diversity of species in a small area. The two marshes lie in the extensive Nyabarongo wetland system that flank Rwanda’s longest river and a distant tributary of River Nile. These great birding hotspots are recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) protecting a large diversity of birds and other fauna.
Tour Overview
One Day Birding Tour to Bugesera and Gashora Wetlands offers an impressive species-checklist that occur across papyrus, reed and woodland habitats across these hotspots. Collectively, these birding hotspots support up to 150 species checklist that comprise Lake Victoria biome and woodlands specialists. In between these birding hotspots, we will stop to bird other smaller habitat pockets that host local species.
One Day Birding Tour to Bugesera and Gashora Wetlands- Itinerary
Bugesera and Gashora Wetlands day-birding tour begins with a pick up from your residence/hotel by your bird guide/driver. Our first stop will be at River Nyabarongo bridge on the edges of Bugesera and Kigali districts to explore a mixed habitat of marsh and woodland for local species.
The most-sought-after species here include; the shy Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Fan-tailed Widow, Blue-headed Coucal, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Winding Cisticola, Yellow-billed Stork, Striated and Squacco Heron. The skulking Yellow-fronted Canary respond well while Black-headed Weaver, Spur-winged Goose, Southern Red-Bishop, Cape Wagtail, Black-headed Heron are common.
The woodlands host, Black-headed Gonolek, Woodland Kingfisher, Buff-belied Warbler, Red-rumped Swallow, Black-lored Babbler, Grey-Tit Flycatcher, Grosbeak Weaver, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Lizzard Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, Red-headed Weaver, Red-chested Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Lirac-breasted Roller, Green-winged Pytilia, Augur Buzzard, Streaky Seedeater, Lesser Masked Weaver, Holub’s Golden Weaver and more.
Later that afternoon, we will bird Gashora Wetlands which lies south of Nyabarongo river bridge extending on the edges of Lakes Rumira and Mirayi.
Bird highlights at Gashora Wetlands include; Malachite and Pied Kingfisher, African Darter, Purple Heron, Striated Heron, Squacco Heron, Yellow-billed Duck, White-backed Duck, Pink-backed Pelican, Black Crake, Egyptian Goose and Spur-winged Goose. The shy Little Grebe and Madagascar Pond Heron are seasonal wanderers here.
Late that afternoon drive back to your residence/hotel in Kigali City.
Included
- Transport to and from your hotel/ residence
- Expert bird guide
- Safe drinking water
- Local taxes
Excluded
- Tips to your guides and gratuities
- Hot lunch