Rwanda Wetlands & Birding | Best Sites for Rare Birds

The wetlands of Rwanda are important places in Rwanda that hold many types of water life and wild animals that come to drink. From a distance, you can see animals running away from danger while others try to quench their thirst.

Recently, Rugezi and Akanyaru wetlands, along with Nyabarongo wetlands, were named important bird areas by BirdLife International. This makes them some of the best places to watch birds in Rwanda.

There are over 860 wetlands in the country. Four of these wetlands are part of the Nile Basin and cross borders with other countries. These include Kamiranzovu swamp on the Rukarara River in Rusizi, Rugezi swamp near Lake Ruhondo in Gicumbi, and the Musanze and Mugesera Rweru swamp complex on the Nyabarongo River near Kigali. Wetlands are usually grouped by the type of soil, plants, climate, and water flow. They are part of the green system that helps keep the land and water healthy.

Rwanda’s marshes cover about 10% of the land. Some of these marshes include Rugezi marsh in northwest Rwanda near Gicumbi. This marsh is Rwanda’s only Ramsar site, which means it is very important for nature. It is home to many Grauer’s swamp warblers, grey crowned cranes, papyrus canaries, and yellow warblers.

If you go south, you will find Lake Nyaga Funzo, an open water area where you can take a boat cruise. For safety, you must wear a life jacket. On the trip, you can see common birds like the lesser jacana and the black duck.

Other wetlands are found in Bugesera district, southeast of Kigali. Bugesera has many types of habitats and is home to over 415 bird species. Some of the birds there are papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, white-winged swamp warbler, and white-backed duck.

In 2014, after a long time without confirmed sightings, other birds were seen in Bugesera, such as the red-chested sunbird, palm-nut vulture, blue-naped mousebird, African fish eagle, and many others.