Amazing bird watching safari in Akanyaru wetland Rwanda : Birding safari is one of the major attraction offering bird watching in Rwanda. Rwanda is a paradise of over 700 bird species alone which are scattered between the countries dispersed areas, swamps, lakes, rivers, and vegetation cover. Most of the birding safaris happens in main 3 protected areas of Akagera national park, volcanoes national park, Nyungwe forest national park. To enjoy the bird watching safaris in Rwanda, you need to prepare to stay out for long hours and have some considerable hiking in certain Ares such as bird watching at Nyungwe national park and volcanoes national park, there are some considerable amount of hiking up and down the mountainous areas but over 20 species of birds that are endemic to the Albertine rift valley. Rwanda’s beauty ranges range from mountainous areas, montane forests, grasslands, plains, vast swamps, rivers, lakes and off course the rolling hills. Rwanda has good road networks with safe and clean towns. Because of her small size, it is easy to cover the country in a short time compared to Uganda or Tanzania
Akanyaru wetlands are your perfect destination to experience an authentic experience beyond the ordinary. These wetlands, one of the Important Bird Areas are situated within the Southern side of Rwanda, North-east of Butare Town on the International border with Burundi and cover an area of 300 square kilometers (30,000 hectares). The wetlands are found close to Rwihinda Lake Reserve within Burundi. The Akanyaru wetlands are fed by the waters of River Akanyaru and can be explored by tourists during safaris in Rwanda.
Akanyaru River is located in the western islands of Rwanda and Burundi, this flows east and north which is along the border between the two countries mentioned joining the Nyabarongo River and forming Akagera River which flows towards Lake Victoria and the source of the river Nile. Akanyaru River is a major headstreams, flowing at an altitude of 2,450 meters in Burundi, the river is a source at altitude of 2,300 meters in the south part of Rwanda. The river is covered by papyrus, containing seasonal swamp forest consisting of the upstream portion of the River has a catchment area of about 2,650 km2.
River Akanyaru is the main tributary of River Nyabarongo (the longest river in Rwanda) and converges within the western highlands of Rwanda and Burundi, and drains eastwards before flowing northwards along the borders of these two countries and later joining the mighty River Nyabarongo. The shallow ends of River Akanyaru are occupied and thronged with numerous swamps that offer a perfect habitat for a number of wildlife species that can be sighted during safaris in Rwanda
Akanyaru wetland is consist of numerous number of marshy habitats and papyrus swamps. The early succession phases of the river are inhabited by floating vegetation consisting of Leersia hexandra, Pistia stratiotes and Oryza barthii. The intermediate phases are a combination of Miscanthidium Violaceum, Typha australis, Cladium jamaicense and papyrus vegetation. More complex and developed habitats are dominated by Typha australis, Cyperus denudatus, Miscanthidum, Cyperus and Echinochloa Pyramidalis among others. Besides, there are also extensive swamps comprised of either pure stands or combined with shrubby vegetation’s. The average rainfall experience around the Akanyaru wetlands is about 800 millimeters annually.
Bird species that can be spotted in Akanyaru wetland
The marshland is an area of many birds, great biodiversity with about 60 bird species with wetlands that inhabit in the swamp region that call aquatic and wetland habitats home including the migrant and globally threatened bird species such as the Papyrus yellow warbler, the papyrus Gonolek, the Madagascar squacco herons, the lesser swamp warbler, the great snipe, the Pallid Harrier and the lesser Kestrel among others. Not only that, river Akanyura is also a home to one species of the Guinea-Congo Forest Biome, 3 of the Afro-tropical Highland biome and over 11 species of the Lake Victoria Biome bird species.
What to pack for a birding safari in Akanyura wetland
When planning to go birding in Akanyaru wetland, there essentials to consider on your birding safari adventure in Akanyura wetland such as birds guidebook good pair of hiking boots, a pair of binoculars, a water bottle, energy snacks, a camera and extra batteries, a portable voice recorder, a birding guide and checklist, insect repellant and sunscreen, hat/cap, long sleeved shirts and trousers among others.
Why take a bird guide on this Safari
In order to have a successful and enjoyable birding safari, it is mandatory to have a well experienced and knowledgeable birding sites as this increases your opportunities of seeing a number of less common species. These guides are very knowledgeable of the exact places where you can go to enjoy better views of the bird species within these wetlands
You may choose to hire one of the local guides who are similarly very knowledgeable about the birds in this area. Through offering these services they are able to earn a living and that way you will be indirectly helping a Rwandan family. We as Achieve Global Safaris carefully choose our guides so be guaranteed of a great and enjoyable birding Safari during your stay in Rwanda.
The best time to go for birding in akanyura wetland.
Bird watching in the swamp is done throughout the year. However, the best period to watch birds in their breeding down is from December to February. This is also the time of year when migrating birds, particularly Eurasian and Palearctic migrants, visit Rwanda’s diverse range of habitats.
Other Places to enjoy a Birding Safari
Although Rwanda is a small country, it has more than 750 species including several endemic species. And these can be seen in the different parts of the country thanks to the different habitats including swamps, Albertine Rift montane forests, lakes, rivers, wetlands as well as grassland plains plus number of grasslands up in the hills in which they thrive.
So other places to enjoy a birding safari including Nyungwe Forest, Akagera National Park, Kigali city, the Albertine Eco-region, Volcanoes National Park and several other swamps and wetlands across the country.
