Birding safaris in Virunga National Park : Birding in Virunga national park is one of the most done activities by bird lovers in Congo safaris in the park. The park is famous for hosting third of the remaining world’s population of mountain gorillas. Birding in Virunga National Park can be combined with Gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking activities to make your safari fun and memorable. Bird viewing at Virunga National Park is one of the exciting activities done during Congo birding safaris, and it provides tourists with an insight into the varied wildlife found in Congo’s famed lush rain forest. The park is a home of over 702 spectacular species of birds, of which 24 are endemic to the region.
Virunga National Park is a birders paradise haven where most of Congo’s visitors go to spot birds. Virunga National Park is situated in the eastern province of the country, it is a tropical rain forest park with spectacular views of the two Volcano ranges. Bird watching in Virunga National Park is one of the best activities to do besides gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.
Virunga National Park is the only national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo where mountain gorillas can be found in the Virunga regions and famously known for its active volcano- Nyiragongo Mountain
Spotted Bird species in Virunga National Park
During birding safari in the park, you will have a great opportunity to spot some of the different wildlife species including the gorillas and the chimpanzee. The part is an excellent birding destination spot with a variety of habitants, you will be fascinated with different bird species such as Bronzy Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Francolinus nobilis, Musaphaga, skimmers, shoebills storks, egrets, grey herons, ibises, grey-throated barbet, Grauer’s swamp warbler, alpine swift, African olive pigeon, white-headed woophoopoes, Angolan swallow, Rwenzori batis, tropical boubou, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Spot-flanked Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, White-fronted Bee-eater, Red-throated Bee-eater, White-throated Bee-eater, Olive Bee-eater, Croaking Cisticola, Short-winged Cisticola, Zitting Cisticola, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Banded Prinia, Little Rush Warbler, Eastern Rush Warbler, Bracken Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Reed Warbler, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Cassin’s Flycatcher, African Dusky Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Grey-throated Tit Flycatcher, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Blue-breasted Bee-eater among others .
Bird watching at Virunga National Park like any other activities, starts in the morning at 5:00am with a guiding rules and regulations at the park headquarters before proceeding in to the bush to search for some parks residents. During the bird walking safari in the park, you will also get chance to see some of the wildlife animals such as cape buffaloes, bushbucks, Forest Elephants ,primates, forest giraffes among others and lots of unique mountain vegetation when spotting for birds species at Virunga National Park.
Packing list for tourists when on a bird watching safari in Virunga National Park.
The essentials to consider on your birding safari adventure in Virunga National Park such as birds guidebook, a pair of binoculars for spotting small and distant species, good camera with good lens and enough storage , enough drinking water and snacks, sunglasses, strong waterproof hiking boots, long stocks, walking stick, long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from being scratched, a hat, rain jacket and a sweater due to the unpredictable weather, backpack for carrying the items you will need while birding, first aid kit ,long trouser because you will be walking through the jungles with unpleasant vegetation among others.
Other activates to combine with bird watching in Virunga National Park
Birders in Virunga national park can combine bird watching safaris with the most desired gorilla trekking that makes you meet face to face with endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzee trekking and mountain hiking mongo others. Virunga National Park is a home to the world’s largest Larva found in Nyiragongo Mountain.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is enthralling activity in Virunga National Park where visitors gets a chance to walk on foot into the tropical rainforest in hunt for habituated mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to be maintained during trekking. After the briefing, you will start the trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located since this enthralling primates are naturally move from one place to another in search for food. During trekking, you will be able to spot other captivating apes species and the vegetation and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, how the carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, record videos and take pictures to showcase home people.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park is another thrilling and interesting activities that most visitors while in Congo birding safaris in Virunga opt to combine with bird viewing, since it also involves with walking in the jungles of the rainforest to hunt for their natural habitat. Chimpanzee trekking in the forest starts in the morning just as the mountain gorilla trekking with the briefing concerning the trekking procedures, what to expert and meet and how to behave in the chimp’s community as well as the forest. Once this fascinating chimpanzees are encountered, you will be allowed for only 1 hour in their presence, interacting and observing them as they carry out their daily activities.
Hiking mount Nyiragongo
Nyiragongo volcano is a thrilling attraction that will take you to the world’s largest active larva. Mount Nyiragongo is one of the active and beautiful volcano in the Virunga region. Hiking mount Nyiragongo offers travelers with a chance to hike up to the peak of the mountain and have a clear view as the world’s largest Larva. Mount Nyiragongo hiking is challenging and can be completed in 2 days but offers a rewarding adventure experiences with the precious views of the montane scenery of the neighboring countries of Uganda and Rwanda. The views also offers visitors with a remarkable experiences and stunning views of the Virunga massif.
Best time to go for birding
You can go for birding in the Virunga National Park any time of the year. However the Virunga national park is best recommended to go during the dry seasons which offers the best ideal for your bird watching safari in the park which runs from June, July, August and September and in the shorter seasons of December, January up to mid-February. During the dry season, there are low or no rains and thus offering a perfect time to spot numerous bird species for bird enthusiastic.
