Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Red-faced Barbet |
 Black-headed Gonolek |
 Archer's Robin Chat |
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 Red-throated Alethe (juvenile) |
 African Crowned-Eagle |
 White-tailed Blue Flycatcher |
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For any queries, or if you would like a prefer this trip report as an illustrated pdf, please email Oscar at ojcampbell25 @ yahoo.com (omit spaces if emailing).
Introduction
Rwanda is not high on many birders list of places to go. However it does have an impressive bird list and is one of the easiest places, considering the situation in the Congo, to see a wide range of the Albertine Rift Valley endemics. So following last year’s trip to the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia, I thought “Why not another Rift Valley trip this year?”
Oscar touted the idea of doing a week in Rwanda in February as he had a half term holiday then, and as there were only two sites to go to (we didn’t do the Gorillas) a week was easily enough time. We managed to rustle up a team of four UAE birders, so it was “trip on”. People remember Rwanda for the genocide in 1994; however the country has come a long way since then. We found the place to very clean, safe and friendly. Obviously a lot of aid money has poured into the country, but it has been used to benefit the country rather than being salted away by corrupt officials. As an aid worker we met at Nyungwe said, “Rwanda is not really Africa because it works” and how right she is.
Logistics
We found only one trip report for an independently organised trip; all other reports were from the various bird tour companies. It appears most people visit Rwanda on organised tours and hence we had no information with regards to ground agents, etc. Therefore we decided to use a ground agent based in Uganda that Oscar had used during his trip there (email Johnnie Kamugisha: kamugishajm@gmail.com). Although probably not the cheapest option, it worked well. I’m sure there must be ground agents in Rwanda which may have been cheaper and maybe we should have done a bit more research. William, our driver, had been to both sites before so knew the area well and they also arranged a good guide called Narcisse at Nyungwe which was good as the forest held the endemics and Narcisse knew where to go and all the calls. However, I think he found it tough going with us; lots of early starts, late finishes and walking. On the other hand, William is well used to dealing with birders and knew exactly what we were about. In contrast, the guide at Akagera was not a bird guide and hence we only used him on the first day. It was not essential to have a guide as birding was in open savannah and we had to stay in or at least near to the car.
Transport,accommodation, food and guides were all organised by the ground agent and all we had to do was turn up. Malaria is a problem in Rwanda; however, we came across very few mosquitoes. With respect to bugs, the main problem was ants in the forest, if you stood in an ant-infested area they quickly got into your clothes and they would bite; on a number of occasions various items of clothing were removed as they were hunted out. In Akagera the main problem was tsetse flies. Although sleeping sickness is not a problem any more the flies really hurt when they bite and we had to cover ourselves with repellent during the day even though we were in the car.
Accommodation and Food
At Nyungwe we stayed at the park HQ on the western side of the National Park. It was basic but clean there was plenty of hot water and in the evening a buffet dinner. On the down side they were not really geared up for an early start and we had trouble getting them to provide breakfast early enough to allow us to be on site at first light (a feat wenever quite achieved). At least twice we had to wait while the packed lunches were being prepared. Breakfast was omelette, toast and coffee and the packed lunch was boiled eggs and cheese sandwich and banana. In the evening the buffet meal was plentiful with soup, potatoes, rice, meat and vegetables and there was cold beer, most of which was consumed by Steve. Bizarrely a cup of tea cost almost twice as much as a bottle of beer even though the accommodation was surrounded by tea plantations! Then we realised they were trying to rip us off! At Akagera we stayed in a hotel about a one hour’s drive from the park’s south entrance and one and a half hours drive from the parks north entrance. This was not ideal and again we were not on site at first light on either day. The hotel was clean though hot water was not always forthcoming. In the evening there was a good buffet meal and unlike Nyungwe they were happy to get up early and cook breakfast and provide a packed lunch. There is a lodge in the park and it would have been better to of stayed there for at least one if not both nights. Apparently it’s a bit run down and expensive but at least we would have been on site at first light and had a chance of nightjars on the road. The last night was spent in a hotel in Kigali. It was a reasonable standard but the hot water was intermittent and at night outside was very noisy.
Weather
Most people go during the dry summer months and we could find nobody who had visited the area in February. According to the books, February and March are the rainy season and we had varying amounts of rain on most days; however it never lasted for more than an hour. On the plus side the temperatures were cooler and the days were mainly overcast hence bird activity was high all day.
Acknowledgements
As usual thanks to everyone who posted a report on the web site without which I would never have gone, and to William who looked after us very well for the whole week, with Narcisse doing likewise in Nyungwe.
References
Field guides:
• Birds of East Africa – Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe
• Birds of Africa South of the Sahara Edition 1 – Sinclair & Ryan
Trip Reports:
The following were found on the Travelling Birder Web Site http://www.travellingbirder.com/
• Rockjumper Birding Tours Rwanda Trip Report June 2008
• Rockjumper Birding Tours Rwanda Trip Report June 2007
• Rwanda & Uganda – 9th to 29th July 2011
• MEGAFARI 2: Uganda and Rwanda August 2010 Tropical Birding
• Uganda and Rwanda (Self driving) Alex Schouten and Angeline Peters
Sites
1 Nyungwe National Park
Located in the south east of Rwanda, about a four hour drive from Kigali, Nyungwe holds all the Albertine Rift Valley Endemics available without risking a trip to Congo. It encompasses some of the most extensive Afro-montane forest remaining and stretches across the border into the Congo and Burundi. The forest has been a reserve for nearly 70 years and appears to be well-managed, mainly attracting visitors for Chimpanzee tracking. The forest has an extensive system of well maintained trails with most starting from the visitors centre at Uwinka Overlook. Access to the trails is by permit only and you have to be accompanied by a park guide at all times. This is also true if you want to stop and bird along the main road through the park. The main road through the forest is currently being upgraded and hence whilst we were there it was somewhat disturbed; even so we found it very productive. Towards the western end of the park is the Kamiranzovu Marsh at which holds Red-chested Fluff tail and Grauer’s Swamp-Warbler. We found all the trails quite productive, as was birding along the road.
2 Akagera National Park
The Park is located in north eastern Rwanda on the Tanzania border, about two and a half hours driving from Kigali. The National Park is about 70km long and on average about 20km wide and contains a variety of habitat including large tracts of savannah, dense wooded acacia, open water and large papyrus reed beds. There are two entry gates the main one in the south which is close to the lodge and another one in the north. Apparently the lodge is expensive and has seen better days. The park is open from 6am to 6pm and a guide is not mandatory, however you are not allowed to get out of your car except at designated places. The south of the park is covered in dense acacia trees but these thin out the further north you go. Whist we visited, the majority of game animals were in the north of the park though this may be weather dependant. In comparison with other East African National Parks the number and variety of animals is quite small (though management of the park has recently changed and steps are being taken to try and remedy this) and hence visitor numbers are low. We saw very few other visitors during our two days in the park. From a birding point of view, due to the different habitats I would recommend spending a day in the southern part and a day in the northern part. We spend the first day driving from south to north and hence wasted some time
3 Nyabarongo Marsh
This large papyrus marsh is located about 15 minutes from the centre of Kigali on the road to Nyungwe. The main road traverses the marsh giving good views of the extensive papyrus reeds though the traffic made birding unpleasant. We also found a track running from the main road near the river into the marsh though it was a little way away from the papyrus reeds. I’m sure that with further exploration, access to quieter areas could be found.
Itinerary and day to day breakdown:
Friday 17th February
We all met at Dubai airport just after midnight and after a beer boarded the 0235 Air Kenya flight to Nairobi. As we approached the capital we could see the top of Mount Kilimanjaro peaking out above the clouds, on my list to climb one day. As soon as we landed out came the bins and from the terminal building we saw Superb Starling and Red-winged Starling (the only place we saw them on the trip). It was not long before we were on a smaller plane heading for Kigali the capital of Rwanda. On route the plan dropped in at Burundi where we sat on the tarmac for 40mins; unfortunately we were not allowed off the plan though a few birds were recorded from our seats. Three hours after leaving Kenya we arrived at Kigali and we were very quickly through immigration and waiting for the bags. Oscar’s, Steve’s and Mark’s were soon on the baggage carousel but Graham’s was nowhere to be seen. Eventually we determined the bag was still in Nairobi but luckily there was another flight due to arrive in three hours and it would be on that. Not the best start but it could have been worse. We headed into the centre Kigali, changed some money and had lunch before returning to the airport, picking the bag up and heading south to Nyungwe National Park. It took just over 4 hours through the rolling hills during which time we all drifted off. As dusk approached we made our way along the road through the mountains to the accommodation on the western side of the park. As we had arrived late it was not possible to arrange our permits for the following day so we would have to wait until 7am the following morning when the office opened again. Had dinner and then retired; it had been a long day.
Saturday 18th February
We were all up before first light and keen to get out into the forest but we had to wait until 7am for the office to open and our permits. Spent the first hour birding the grounds of the accommodation where three White-tailed Flycatchers gave stunning views. Our first endemic, a Regal Sunbird performed well on the flowering bushes next to the car. We had breakfast and met Narcisse, our guide and then whilst William sorted out the permits we walked along the road finding a Miombo Rock Thrush in a nearby tree. This was way out of habitat and the only one we saw! Eventually the paperwork was sorted and we headed into the National Park driving for about 35 minutes to the core area at Uwinka, where the trails start from. It was dull and overcast but bird activity along the edge of the road was high and very soon we were pulling in the endemics. Black-faced Apalis were quite common and we soon located the source of the telephone-like ringing call: a splendid Chestnut-throated Apalis. These called continually for much of our time here.
It was not long before we found a single Ruwenzori Apalis which was much buffer than the book shows. A distant calling Grauer’s Warbler came in to the tape and a few Red–faced Woodland-Warblers put in an appearance. We eventually turned off the main road onto a wide track which led to a distant village. Along the track a Stripe-breasted Tit was found yet another endemic and stopping at a flowering tree a number of Purple breasted Sunbirds with their long tails were found flitting in and out of the top of the tree. By now it was midday but birding was still good and we turned off the track onto the Umuyove (pink) trail where in the dense undergrowth we found a very obliging Red – throated Alethe; however it was only a young bird and we failed to see the adult nearly as well but then, as Graham and Steve had to keep telling Oscar and Mark, age doesn’t matter. Archer’s Robin-Chat was soon added to the list and as we started the steep climb back to the Unwinka Visitors Centre a small party of Ruwenzori Turaco’s were seen. It was 4pm; we had been out for seven hours and racked up an impressive list of 15 endemics. We sat having a very late lunch watching a pair of Great Blue Turacos perched in a nearby tree. By now the weather had closed in and we decided to spend the last of the light along the road and, although we found a few more Ruwenzori Turacos, we still had not heard a Handsome Francolin call. At dusk we made our way back to the accommodation where a hot shower, meal and cold beers were to be found.
Sunday 19th February
Up early breakfast and headed to the start of the Kamiranzovu (purple) trail. Starting from the main road it descended steeply to a very large swamp. It was very overcast and thunder could be heard rumbling in the distance. As we headed down we came across a very responsive Neumann’s Warbler which proved a bit of a stunner, performing wonderfully. We continued on down towards the swamp but before we arrived the heavens opened. We were surprised to find a covered elevated platform at the swamp’s edge where we could shelter from the now very heavy rain. Not long after arriving a Grauer’s Swamp-Warbler began singing and soon it was located perched on a dead tree; another endemic for the list! On a distant perch a Yellow-eyed Flycatcher was found. The rain showed no sign of abating and, stuck in the shelter, we decided to play the call of Red-chest Flufftail To our surprise one responded back, though distantly. Eventually it came a lot closer but seeing was a different matter. Taking Steve’s advice (for once), we placed the recording on one side of an open channel and, true to form a bird shot across the channel quickly. After half an hour of cat and mouse we all eventually had sensational views (by flufftail standards) of a male, a female and one other bird. By now the heavy rain had turned into light drizzle so we decided to set off back to main road and the car. The trail initially went through the edge of the swamp and, on scanning the tops of the trees, a Sharpe’s Starling was found.
We continued on and entered the forest again and climb steeply up to the road and the car where we had a late lunch. We drove back along the main road the short distance to the Uwinka visitor’s centre and walked the Irebero (yellow) Trail looking for Francolins but not sniff, nor even a distant call. Birding was slow and we eventually reached the road returning to the centre along it. It was now 5.30pm and the light was fading so we drove along the main road towards the accommodation, stopping 5km short of it at a wide track to look for Ruwenzori Nightjar. As soon as we got out of the car we heard one calling and very soon we all managed good views in reasonable light. It was now dark and so we headed back for dinner and a beer. We were still missing two major endemics, Red-collared Mountain-Babbler and Handsome Francolin, so decided the following day to concentrate on these two species.
Monday 20 February
Woke to overcast weather and a stiff breeze had got up. We managed to leave a little earlier today, having breakfast at 6am and we headed to the start of the Bigugu Trail which leads to the highest point of the national park at 2950m. The trail is not marked on the maps but it’s on the eastern side, a few km’s beyond Uwinka. Apparently this is a good area for the Mountain-Babbler. The problem was it was quite windy whilst we were there, so not the ideal conditions to be birding the higher elevations. The trail climb steeply for the first km before it levelled off and contoured the ridge. We battled the wind for a couple of hours but saw very little with the exception of two Mountain Yellow Warblers so decided to cut our losses and head for lower elevations. We returned to the visitors centre and then headed down the Imbaraga (Red) trail. It was a steep descent and the thought of the climb back was daunting. However, there was very little wind and soon we started to see some birds including two Many-coloured Bush-Shrike and Kungwe Apalis. As we reached the lower sections, Narcisse heard a call which he believed to be Kivu Ground-Thrush. We tried playback of the pre- recorded call had but no response. We tried playback in several other nearby and similar areas but not a whisper and eventually we retraced our steps back to the main road and the car. It was now getting dusk and as we headed back to the accommodation we made a number of stops and played African Barred Owlet in hope rather than anticipation that an Albertine Owlet may respond. There are currently no known recordings of the latter. At one large open area very soon after playing the call we appeared to get a response from something sounding very similar to the Barred Owlet. We waited but didn’t hear it again. Whilst waiting, a party of Handsome Francolins finally called; they were very close to the road! Obviously they had just gone to roost. That meant we knew what the first stop was going to be tomorrow morning!
Tuesday 21 February
Set off again at just after 6.30 am and made a roadside stop where we had heard the Francolins last night. It was sunny, the wind had died down and there was lots of bird activity. Not long after arriving we heard the Francolin calling. It was very close but we couldn’t see it. We approached the area from where it was calling and as we looked over the edge the bird flushed and flew down into some scrub. It didn’t call again and nobody had decent views. We carried on birding along the road and Steve decided to go back to the car and get his camera. As he walked back a Francolin scurried from the edge of the road into the nearby undergrowth. We all hurried back and waited and before long the bird put in an appearance. We waited a bit longer and eventually the bird came out from the scrub walked across the road before flying the short distance up the bank. Good views at last! As the wind had died down we decided to give the Bigagu Trail another go. It was more birdy today but despite walking many kilometres, no sign of the Babbler though we did get great views of an Archer’s Robin-Chat that came out to sing its head off at us.
After three hours, the trail started to climb again so we turned back. It was now midday and bird activity was; we had a long slog back to the car where we had a late lunch. We drove to Uwinka and walked the Umugote (Blue) trail hearing a Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo calling close to the trail. Like the other 10 or so we had heard already, it lived up to its reputation of being a real skulker and even though it was only calling meters away at times we just could see it.
Eventually brief perched views were had and in due course we all had reasonable flight views as well. The last couple of hours were spent birding along the road; again no blasted Mountain-Babbler and the only consolation, albeit a good one, being an Elliot’s Woodpecker. At 5pm it started to rain heavily and so it was an early bath.
Wednesday 22nd February
Set off after breakfast and drove through the forest making a couple of roadside stops before heading back towards to Kigali. On one of the stops we came across a pair of magnificent Crowned Eagles perched in trees beside the road. It was a long drive through the rolling hills, although a short stop for petrol on route produced 5 species of raptors: Palm nut Vulture, Yellow-billed Kite, African Harrier-Hawk, Long- crested Eagle and Common Kestrel, all in the space of 60 seconds.
On the outskirts of Kigali near the village of Nyabarongo, the main road went through a large papyrus reed bed. We stopped and spent a couple of hours birding from the road and a track down one side. It was a pleasant change from forest birding. It was the middle of the day and, although hot, there were quite a few birds including the gaudy Papyrus Gonolek which we heard calling and taped in. Along the side of the reeds in open marsh a Yellow Longclaw was found and also brief views of Papyrus Canary where had. We carried onto Kigali for a very late lunch and a couple of us visited the Genocide museum. We set off at 4pm and one and a half hours later arrived at our hotel in the small town of Rwanagan. We ate our dinner watching live championship football.
Thursday 23rd February
The hotel put on an early breakfast and we headed out in the dark to Akagera National Park, arriving at the southern gate just before 7am. There was a frustrating delay while they tried to locate the guide but eventually we were on our way birding from the car through the savannah woodland. Birding was good but as the morning progressed the clouds built up and by late morning it started to rain. We headed to one of the lake shores and sat in some shelters whilst waited for the rain to stop which, eventually, it did. We continued on heading north through the savannah occasionally coming across large areas of papyrus reedbeds and open water. Eventually we located one of the main target birds here - the limited range Red-faced Barbet. Ruaha Chat followed soon afterwards and other goodies later in the day included Levaillant’s Cuckoo very close and Broad-tailed Warbler. This was amongst a really good selection of typical East African bush birds. We spent the rest of the day birding from the car heading towards the northern gate. The further north we got the more open the savannah became and the more animals we saw. We had to leave the park by 6pm so the last hour was a bit of a rush to get out of the park. Animals seen included Giraffe, Zebra, Buffalo, many Impala and our only example of Roan, a superbly attractive antelope. As we drove out of the park we came across a party of 11 Grey Crowned Cranes by the roadside. It was a long two-hour drive back to the hotel where again we watched live football during dinner and the log.
Friday 24th February
Decided to set off earlier today as it was a longer drive to the north gate. We arrived just before 0700, checked in and then set off along the road bordering the western perimeter. The savannah was much more open, birds were everywhere and after a couple of hours of very slow stop start driving we came across a very large open area of swamp. We stopped and, whilst scanning the area, Oscar said he had a big grey thing a long way out. There was a mad scramble to set up the scopes and wow, there it was! A monster Shoebill in full view! A tad distant but who cared; this was a totally unanticipated and very large bonus. We knew they occurred at Akagera but are very rarely seen. Mind you, this might be due to the lack of birders looking. Although a long way off views were good and we even managed a few digi shots. Very happy to say the least, we continued on with our journey scanning the open the swamp now and then. There were plenty of water birds and as the swamp gave way to a grassy plain we found lots of birds of prey and even a couple of Black-bellied Bustards. African Moustached-Warbler and Black-headed Gonolek were very obvious as well. Mammal numbers increased and we saw herds of Buffalo, Giraffes and Zebra. Time was getting the better of us and instead of doing a loop we had to turn round as William wanted to be out of the park by 2pm so that he could arrive back in Kigali before dark. We arrived at the north gate and headed back towards Kigali making a few road side stops on route. Stopped at the hotel to pick up our bags and have a quick cup of coffee before continuing on our way to the capital and our hotel. The hotel was in a noisy area and the our night’s sleep was somewhat disturbed.
Saturday 25th February
After a sleepless night due to partying going on outside, we left the hotel and headed to the marsh at Nyabarongo which only took 15mins, arriving just as it was getting light. We again birded along the main road pulling in a few new trip ticks including Papyrus Yellow Warbler to go with the equally rare canary we had found last time. We only had an hour and a half before we had to set off to the airport which only took half an hour to reach. We said our goodbyes to William who had a long drive back to Kampala, checked in and we were soon on our way back to Nairobi. At Burundi the forty minute stop over became an hour and half as we waited for some idiot official to join the plane. A quick connection in Nairobi saw us on our way back to Dubai, the desert and dreams of the UAE’s first Black-lored Oriole. This was never seen again, but give us Shoebill and Neumann’s Warbler anytime!
White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Fifteen Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus
One Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
Two Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd Febraury, five Akagera on the 23rd with twenty there on the following day and ten Nyabarongo marsh 25th February
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulate
Ten Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha
Twelve Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota
Sixteen Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Twenty five Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Hildebrandt's Francolin Francolinus hildebrandti
Two Akagera NP 23rd February was the only record. We looked hard for them on subsequent days but couldn’t find them. They possibly preferred the denser wooded areas of the southern part of the park.
Red-necked Spurfowl Francolinus afer
Only recorded at Akagera NP where locally quite common with up to 50 seen daily
Handsome Francolin Francolinus nobilis
Nyungwe - A party of birds heard calling adjacent to the road at dusk on the 20th February. At least one possibly two birds seen in the same area at dawn the following day
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Four Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
Eight Burundi from the plane during a refuelling stop 17th February. One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February, eight Akagera 23rd February and over 350 Akagera the following day
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
One Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus
One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February. Ten Akagera 23rd February and 28 Akagera the following day
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
Twenty on route to Nyungwe 17th February. Fifteen Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Twenty Akagera NP 23rd February was the only record
Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus
Fifty Akagera NP 23rd February was the only record.
African Darter Anhinga rufa
Two Akagera NP 23 February was the only record.
Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
Twenty on route to Nyumgwe 17th February. One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February and one Kigali the same day. Two Akagera 24th February and one Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February.
Shoebill Balaeniceps rex
One Akagera NP 24th February. One of the birds of the trip. Yeeeeehaaaaa!
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Two on route 22nd February One Akagera NP 23rd and six the following day. One Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February.
Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd and two 25th February. Five Akagera NP 24th February
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Up to eight seen daily at Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
One Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
One Akagera NP 23rd February. Two Nyabarongo NP 25th February.
Great Egret Ardea alba
Up to 80 recorded daily Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Up to 50 recorded daily Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Only recorded at Akagera NP with 200 seen on the 24th February and a single bird on the 23rd
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Singles seen daily at Akagera NP
Striated Heron Butorides striata
One Akagera NP 23rd February
Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Recorded at the airport in Nairobi. Ten Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd and one 23rd February. Up to a 100 Akagera NP 24th February.
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Up to 12 seen daily at Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus (migrans)parasiticus
All the birds seen well were of this species/race and it is assumed all birds were.
Recorded at Nairobi Airport. Five at Nyungwe 20th February. Recorded daily from the 22nd -25th February
African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Up to 25 seen daily at Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis
Two seen during a stop for petrol on route to Kigali 22nd February
Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus
Four over Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus
One Akagera NP 24th February
White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus
Singles seen daily Akagera NP
Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
Up to four daily in Akagera NP
Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One Burundi during refuelling stop 17th February. Five Akagera NP 24th February
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
One Akagera NP 24th February
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus
One Akagera NP 24th February
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Two seen during a stop for petrol on route to Kigali 22nd February
Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Two Akagera NP 23rd February was the only record
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro
One low over the forest Nyungwe NP 22nd February
Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus
One Nyungwe NP 19th February was the only record.
Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo
One Burundi during refuelling stop 17th February. One Nyungwe NP 22nd February
Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus
Single Nyungwe NP 19th and 21st February.
Augur Buzzard Buteo augur
Four Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February.
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax
One Akagera NP 24th February
Cassin's Hawk-Eagle Aquila africana
Nyungwe NP – One 19th and three a family party 20th and 21st February.
African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster
Two Akagera 23rd February.
Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Three Akagera NP 24th February.
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Up to two recorded daily with the exception of Nyungwe NP.
Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
Nyungwe NP - One flying over calling 20 February. Two perched by the road side as we drove out 22nd February were outstanding and, again, candidates for birds of the trip.
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
One Burundi during a refuelling stop 17 February. One on route to Nyungwe NP 17th February and
one on route to Kigali 22nd February.
Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus
One Akagera NP 24th February
Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster
Three one male and two females Akagera NP 24th February
Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa
Three birds including one male gave a series of brief but clear views at Nyungwe from the hide overlooking the swamp 19th February
Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra
Three Nyabarongo Mrash 22nd February and one there 25th February. One Akagera 24th February.
Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Twenty Akagera NP 24th February
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
Eight Akagera NP 24th February.
Gray Crowned-Crane Balearica regulorum
Akagera NP – Eleven 23rd and up to twenty 24th February
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris
Ten Akagera NP 24th February
Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus
Akagera NP – four on the 23rd and one 24th February
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
One Akagera NP 23rd February
Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
Akagera NP – four on the 23rd and forty 24th February
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
Three Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
One Akagera NP 24th February
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
Two Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February. Up to six daily Akagera NP
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Up to two recorded daily Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
One Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Up to ten recorded daily Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Three Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
Two Nairobi Airport 17th February. One Kigali 24th February
Rameron Pigeon Columba arquatrix
Nyungwe NP – Three 19th and two 21st February
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Two Niarobia airport 17th February. Up to twenty recorded daily in all locations with the exception of Nyungwe NP
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
Akagera NP: Good numbers recorded daily
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Two Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Up to twenty daily Akagera NP
African Green-Pigeon Treron calvus
Nyungwe NP – Up to three recorded on most days. Akagera NP: one 23rd February
Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri
Akagera NP – Up to twelve recorded daily
Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata
Recorded daily at Nyungwe NP with a maximum of fifteen
Black-billed TuracoTauraco schuettii
Nyungwe NP – twelve on the 18th and one 19th February
Ruwenzori Turaco Ruwenzorornis johnstoni – Endemic
Nyungwe NP – Up to six seen daily; many nice views of this great-looking endemic
Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus
Akagera NP – Up to twenty recorded daily
Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus
Four Akagera NP 23rd February
Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii
One Akagera NP 23rd February
Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
Akagera NP - Heard daily but not seen
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus
Nyungwe NP. Up to eight heard daily. Only seen once despite a lot of effort trying
Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus
Three Akagera NP 24th February and two Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus
Akagera NP – Up to twenty seen daily
Montane Nightjar (Rwenzoris) Caprimulgus ruwenzorii
Two birds seen well Nyungwe NP 19th February.
Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis
One Akagera NP 24th February
Common Swift/African Swift Apus apus/barbatus
Dark swifts were seen at Nyungwe (six) 22nd February and Akagera NP (hundreds) 24th February but could not be assigned to specific species
Little Swift Apus affinis
Up to a hundred Nairobi airport 17th February and one Kigali the same day. Up to 25 breeding under the river bridge at Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd and 25th February. Thirty Akagera NP 23rd February
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
Ten on route to Kigali and one Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February. Six at the marsh on the 25th February. Six Akagera NP 23rd February
African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus
One on route 17th February
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
On on route 17th February. Recorded almost daily at Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP with a maximum of 15
Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus
Recorded daily at Akagera NP with a maximum of 15 on the 23rd February
Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum
Nyungwe NP – A pair on the 19th and a single male on the 20th February
Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus
Up to three recorded daily at Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis
Up to four recorded daily at Akagera NP
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti
Eight Akagera NP 23rd February
Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus
Two Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Ten Akagera NP 23rd February
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates
Up to eight seen most days in the trees at the accommodation in Nyungwe NP
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
Akagera NP – Two on 23rd and one on 24th February
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
Akagera NP – Two on 23rd and three on 24th February
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus
Up to twenty daily Akagera NP
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
Four Akagera NP 23rd February
White-headed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus bollei
Two Nyungwe NP 18th February
Common Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Three Akagera NP 23rd February
Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus
One Nyungwe NP 22nd February. One Akagera NP 23rd February
African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus
Up to ten seen daily Akagera NP
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna subcylindrica
Up to two seen most days Nyungwe NP
Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii
Six Akagera NP 23rd February
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus
Singles recorded daily at Nyungwe NP
Spot-flanked Barbet Tricholaema lacrymosa
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Red-faced Barbet Lybius rubrifacies
Akagera NP – Two 23rd February and one 24th February
Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
One Akagera NP 23rd February
Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii
Singles recorded daily Akagera NP
Elliot's Woodpecker Dendropicos elliotii
One Nyungwe NP 21st February
Gray Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus
One Nyungwe NP 20th February
Ruwenzori Batis Batis diops - Endemic
Up to six seen daily Nyungwe NP
Chin spot Batis Batis molitor
One Nyungwe NP 20th February. Up to two daily Akagera NP
White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus
A party of twelve birds at Akagera NP 23rd February
Brubru Nilaus afer
One Akagera NP 24th February
Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis
Small numbers recorded almost daily
Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis
A pair Nyungwe NP 19th February
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus
Up to four daily Akagera NP
Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster
A total of seven Akagera NP 24th February
Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri
One responded to play Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris
Singles on both days in Akagera National Park
Mountain Sooty Boubou Laniarius poensis
Seen or heard daily at Nyungwe NP
Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus
Up to two seen daily Akagera NP
Doherty's Bushshrike Telophorus dohertyi
Nyungwe NP - Heard numerous times daily but despite a lot of effort it was not seen
Many-coloured Bushshrike Malaconotus multicolour
One Nyungwe NP 20th February was the only record.
Gray Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia
Up to five seen daily Nyungwe NP
Black Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava
One Akagera NP 24th February
Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
Up to thirty daily Akagera NP
Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
One on route 17th February
African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
Up to two daily Akagera NP
Black-tailed Oriole Oriolus percivali
Up to three recorded daily Nyungwe NP
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
Up to fifteen daily Akagera NP
African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Small numbers seen most days in all habitats
Pied Crow Corvus albus
Common in the urban areas and Akagera NP
White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
Up to four seen in Nyungwe NP on three days
Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra Africana
Three Akagera National Park 24th February
Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Up to six recorded daily Akagera NP
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Good numbers recorded daily Akagera NP
Brown-throated Martin Hirundo fuligula
Singles in amongst the hirundine flocks both days Akagera NP
Banded Martin Riparia cincta
Three Akagera NP 24th February
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
One Kigali 17th February
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Up to two hundred daily Akagera NP
Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis
Up to ten recorded daily in all habitats
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Up to six daily at Nyabarongo Marsh
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Four Akagera 23rd February
Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
Up to fifty recorded daily Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
Four Akagera NP 23rd February was the only record.
Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne holomelas
Up to 25 recorded daily Nyungwe NP
White-headed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne albiceps
One seen whilst driving out of Nyungwe NP 22nd February
White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher Elminia albicauda
A photogenic resident trio in the gardens of the accommodation at Nyungwe; seen most days and gave great views
White-bellied Crested-Flycatcher Elminia albiventris
Nyungwe NP – Two18th and one 19th February were the only records
White-winged Black-Tit Melaniparus leucomelas
Ten Akagera NP 23rd February
Stripe-breasted Tit Melaniparus fasciiventer Endemic
Nyungwe – Five on the 18th and two on the 21st February
African Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus caroli
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Eastern Mountain-Greenbul Arizelocichla nigriceps
Up to ten seen daily Nyungwe NP
Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Eurillas latirostris
More often heard than seen. Up to four seen daily Nyungwe NP
Yellow-streaked Greenbul Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Up to six seen daily Nyungwe NP
Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus
Small numbers at Nyungwe NP daily. Up to fifteen daily at Akagera
White-browed Crombec Sylvietta leucophrys
Nyungwe NP – Four 18th February and one 21st February
Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Moustached Grass-Warbler (African Moustached-Warbler) Melocichla mentalis
A total of four Akagera NP 24th February
Neumann's Warbler Hemitesia neumanni Endemic
Nyungwe NP - Heard almost daily with two seen well 19th February
Red-faced Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus laetus
Up to eight seen daily Nyungwe NP
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
One Akagera NP 24th February was the only record
Mountain Yellow Warbler Chloropeta similis
Two Nyungwe NP 20th February
Papyrus Yellow Warbler Chloropeta gracilirostris
Two Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February; seen early morning and close to the road!
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Up to ten daily at Nyabarongo Marsh
Eurasian/African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus/baeticatus
As we had more important things to worry about, birds seen at Nyabarongo Marsh were not assigned to a specific species
Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Two Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
Greater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens
One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala
Nyabarongo Marsh – two 22nd and one 23rd February (and very common on song)
Grauer's Swamp-Warbler Bradypterus graueri
At least two Nyungwe NP 19th February
Evergreen-forest Warbler Bradypterus lopezi
One Nyungwe NP 20th February
Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus
Nyungwe – commonly heard and occasionally seen daily Nyungwe NP
Fan-tailed Grassbird (Broad-tailed Warbler) Schoenicola brevirostris
One Akagera NP 23rd February
Ruwenzori Apalis Apalis ruwenzorii Endemic
Up to four seen daily Nyungwe NP. Much more buff than the book shows
Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni
Singles seen on two days at Nyungwe NP. 19th and 20th February
Black-faced Apalis Apalis personata Endemic
Nyungwe - Fairly common with up to 25 seen daily
Kungwe Apalis Apalis argentea
One seen briefly Nyungwe NP 20th February
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Up to two seen daily Akagera NP
Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema
Up to ten seen daily Nyungwe NP. The loud phone-like call was often heard
Gray Apalis Apalis cinerea
Nyungwe NP – Two 18th and four 20th February
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyuran
Up to three seen most days in different habitats
Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami
Akagera NP – Twenty on the 23rd and twelve on the 24th
Chubb's Cisticola Cisticola chubby
Up to eight recorded most days Nyungwe NP
Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Carruthers's Cisticola Cisticola carruthersi
Five Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
Eight Akagera NP 23rd February
Tabora Cisticola Cisticola angusticauda
Three Akagera NP 23rd February
Gray-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
One Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
Black-faced Rufous-Warbler Bathmocercus rufus
Two of these stunning birds, Nyungwe NP 20th February
Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii
Nyungwe NP – One 18th and six 20th February
African Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe abyssinica
Nyungwe NP – Up to four recorded daily
Grauer's Warbler Graueria vittata Endemic
Nyungwe NP – Heard daily bit only seen twice
African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
Up to fifty daily Nyungwe NP
Mountain Illadopsis Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
Up to three seen or heard daily Nyungwe NP
Black-lored Babbler Turdoides sharpie
Up to ten seen daily Akagera NP
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Up to eight seen daily Akagera NP
Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus
Four Akagera N P 24th February
White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri
Up to six seen daily Nyungwe NP
Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis ardesiacus Endemic
Nyungwe NP – Seen on three days with a maximum of four on the 18th February
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina
One Akagera NP 24th February
Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica
Up to six seen daily Nyabarongo Marsh
Dusky-brown Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Fairly common in Nyungwe NP
Red-backed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Four Akagera NP 23rd February
Archer's Robin-Chat Cossypha archeri
Nyungwe NP - Commonly heard with singles seen on four days
White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
Singles seen on route to Kigali and at the genocide Momoria. Also up to two seen daily Akagera NP
White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata
Up to six seen daily Nyungwe NP
Red-throated Alethe Pseudalethe poliophrys Endemic
Nyungwe NP - A young bird performed well 18th February. Up to two othersseen daily, but they were seriously harder work.
Miombo Rock-Thrush Monticola angolensis
Nyungwe One 18th February in the tea plantation near the accommodation appeared to be out of habitat, but we later learnt that this species has been recorded outside miombo even further north in Rwanda.
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
Up to two recorded daily Akagera NP
African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus
Up to two seen on three days in the tea plantations on the edge of Nyungwe NP
Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra
Akagera NP – Relatively common with up to twenty seen both days
Ruaha Chat Myrmecocichla collaris
Up to eight seen daily of this new split. The female has a complete white collar
Abyssinian Thrush Turdus abyssinicus
Up to three seen by the road on three days Nyungwe NP
African Thrush Turdus pelios
Six on route to Kigali 22nd February
Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Up to fifty recorded daily at Akagera NP
Ruppell's Long-tailed Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpuroptera
Up to fifty recorded daily at Akagera NP
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Up to twenty seen daily Akagera NP
Waller's Starling Onychognathus walleri
Nyungwe NP - Seen most days with a maximum of 22 on the 19th February
Sharpe's Starling Pholia sharpie
A single bird perched on top a a dead tree at Nyungwe 19th February
Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Two seen each day at Akagera NP
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
Up to eight seen daily Akagear NP
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Up to six seen daily Nyungwe NP
Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis
One Nyungwe NP 19th February
Blue-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra alinae Endemic
Up to two seen daily Nyungwe NP
Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura
One Nyungwe NP 18th February
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
One on route 17th February. One Akagera NP 24th February
Purple-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia purpureiventris Endemic
Up to five seen daily Nyungwe NP
Bronze Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis
Singles seen Nyungwe NP on the 18, 21 and 27th February. On seen on route to Kigali on the 22nd February
Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris reichenowi
Nyunwge – Up to twenty seen daily
Rwenzori Double-collard Sunbird Cinnyris stuhlmanni Endemic
One seen briefly Nyungwe 19th February
Regal Sunbird Cinnyris regius Endemic
Up to twenty seen daily at Nyungwe
Mariqua Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
One Akagera 24th February
Red-chested Sunbird Cinnyris erythrocercus
One 22nd February and two 25th February Nyabarongo Marsh
Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus
Only seen at Nyungwe NP where up to twelve seen most days
Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus
One Akagera NP 23rd February
Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Small numbers recorded at Akagera NP and Nyabarongo Marsh
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
Two Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One seen on two occasions Nyungwe NP
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Small numbers seen daily Akagera NP and Nyabarongo Marsh
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
Two Akagera NP 24th February
Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
Up to six seen daily Akagera NP and Nyabarongo Marsh
Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
Small numbers seen almost daily. A pair was seen feeding young at the accommodation at Nyungwe NP
Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus
Seen daily Akagera NP and Nyabarongo Marsh
Western Citril Serinus frontalis
One Nyungwe NP 19th February. One Nyabarongo Marsh and one Kigali 22nd February
Papyrus Canary Serinus koliensis
One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February was the only record. We found by walking the dusty track into the fields and marsh that runs near the river bridge.
Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus
Small numbers seen daily Nyungwe NP
Thick-billed Seedeater Serinus burtoni
Singles seen on three dates Nyungwe NP. Five on route 22nd February.
Northern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
Small numbers seen daily except in Nyungwe NP
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht
Two 18th and 20th February Nyungwe NP. One Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni
Up to twenty daily at Nyabarongo Marsh
Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
One Akagera NP 24th February
Strange Weaver Ploceus alienus
Nyungwe NP – Ten 18th and singles 19th and 20th February.
Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Small numbers recorded daily Akagera NP and Nyabarongo Marsh
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Twenty five Kigali 22n February. Ten Akagera NP 24th February
Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus
Nyabarongo Marsh – One 22nd and thirty 25th February
Forest Weaver Ploceus bicolour
Two 18th and 20th February Nyungwe NP
Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Forty Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
Red Bishop Euplectes orix
Two Nyabarongo Marsh daily. Two Akagera NP 24th February
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
Up to eight Nyabarongo Marsh daily. Thirty Akagera NP 24th February
Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
One Akagera NP 23rd February.
Dusky Crimson-wing Cryptospiza jacksoni Endemic
Up to four seen daily Nyungwe
Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga
Two Akagera NP 23rd February
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Two Akagera NP 24th and fifteen Nyabarongo Marsh 25th February
Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula
Two Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd February
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Recorded in good numbers daily at Akagera NP
Peters's Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus
One Akagera NP 23rd February
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Up to six daily Akagera NP
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
Up to ten recorded daily Nyabarongo Marsh and Akagera NP
Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus
Up to fifteen recorded daily Nyabarongo Marsh
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
Three Nyabarongo Marsh 22nd and 25th February. One Akagera NP 23rd February.
Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeate
One on route 17th February and Two Akagera NP 24th February.
Mammals
Olive Baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis)
Several troops seen in and around Nyungwe Forest & in Akagera National Park.
Grey-cheeked Mangabey (Cercocebus albigenia)
At least 8 seen along the roadside in Nyungwe National Park.
Black-faced Vervet (Green) Monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops)
A troop was always present in the Forest Lodge guest House at Nyungwe. Also small numbers seen in Akagera NP
Samango Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis)
Small gropus seen every day in Nyungwe Forest.
L’Hoest’s Guenon (Cercopithecus l’hoesti)
Seen every day in Nyungwe Forest, sometimes in large groups. The commonest primate at this location.
Guereza (Abyssinian ) Black & White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza)
A large troop of between 20-25 individuals, seen by the side of the road in Nyungwe Forest.
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Groups were heard on two different days in Nyungwe Forest. Nests were also seen.
Plains (Burchell’s) Zebra (Equus burchelli)
Up to 70 animals a day seen in the northern part of Akagera National Park.
Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)
Seen in good numbers (up to 30 animals each day) in Akagera National Park.
Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus)
Signs of this species, were noted every day, on the trails in Nyungwe National Park. No animals were actually seen.
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibus)
A group of six, seen in Akergera National Park.
Maasai Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)
Up to 25 seen in a day, in the northern section of Akergera National Park.
Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
A large herd of over 100 animals and several smaller groups, seen in the northern section of Akergera National Park.
Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)
At least five noted, in the northern section of Akergera National Park.
Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus)
A lone animal, seen in the northern section of Akergera National Park.
Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa)
Up to 30 seen each day, in Akergera National Park.
Bohor Reedbuck (Reduncta redunca)
Seven seen, in the northern section of Akergera National Park.
Topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela)
Over 200 a day, seen in the northern section of Akergera National Park. This is a significant population of this rare and scattered subspecies.
Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
Rather surprisingly, only small herds seen of this common and widespread species, in Akergera National Park.
Oribi (Ourebia ourebi)
One seen in Akergera National Park.
Golden (Common) Jackal (Canis aureus)
One seen at dawn, crossing the road, outside of Akergera National Park.
Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula)
One seen in Akergera National Park. This species lives communally and makes its home in termite mounds.
Aardvark (Orycteropus afer)
Aardvark holes were commonly seen in Akergera National Park.
Carruther’s Mountain Squirrel (Funisciurus carruthersi)
Up to ten animals a day, seen in Nyungwe National Park.
Boehm’s Squirrel (Paraxerus alexandri)
Common in Nyungwe National Park.
Ruwenzori Sun Squirrel (Heliosciurus ruwenzori)
Up to eight animals a day, seen in Nyungwe National Park.