Day 11: 6 Aug 2018 (Ruhija: Mubwindi swamp)
Today we hiked to the Mubwindi swamp along with the local bird guide Amos, and managed to see the Grauer’s Swamp Warbler and several other interesting birds, but the Grauer’s Broadbill remained elusive.
After the hike, we drove to the nearby Broadbill Forest Camp and while we reached only by nightfall and were completely drained out, we still spent several hours in the dining area sharing experiences with travelers from all around the world.
Birding Highlights:
Rwenzori Apalis (Collared Apalis), Mountain Buzzard, Stripe-breasted Tit, White-headed Woodhoopoe, White-bellied Crested-flycatcher, Grauer’s Swamp-warbler, Regal Sunbird, Olive Woodpecker, Crowned Hornbill, Yellow-streaked Greenbul
Mammals/Others: Blue (Gentle) Monkey, Ruwenzori Three-Horned Chameleon, Sitatunga
Day 12: 7 Aug 2018 (Ruhija – Mgahinga)
We spent the morning hours birding the Ruhija area and then continued our drive further south towards the Mgahinga National Park stopping en-route at Lake Chahafi where we spotted a few more interesting birds. Overnight at Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp
Birding Highlights:
Yellow-crowned Canary, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Dusky Crimsonwing, Cardinal Woodpecker, Rwenzori Hill-babbler, Handsome Francolin, Red-faced Woodland-warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Black Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk
Ruaha Chat, Bronze Sunbird, Common Stonechat, African Yellow Warbler, Yellow Bishop, African Silverbill, African Pied Wagtail, Greater Swamp-warbler, Lesser Swamp-warbler
Day 13: 8 Aug 2018 (Mgahinga – Ruhengeri)
Mgahinga turned out to be a treasure trove for birds and the birds we struggled to find in Bwindi were surprisingly easy to see here. Moreover birding in the backdrop of the beautiful volcanoes was an experience in itself. We spent half a day birding along the Gorge trail before moving on to our next destination, Ruhengeri, across the border. Overnight at Hotel Muhabura
Birding Highlights:
Archer’s Robin-chat, Abyssinian Thrush, Kandt’s Waxbill, White-starred Robin, White-tailed Crested-flycatcher, White-browed Crombec, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Shelley’s Greenbul, Kivu Ground Thrush (Heard only)
Day 14: 9 Aug 2018 (Ruhengeri – Nyungwe)
We continued our drive further south along the Albertine Rift enjoying the scenery, however, several road closures due to the Tour du Rwanda event delayed us quite a bit and we managed to reach Nyungwe only by late afternoon. Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Birding Highlights: Augur Buzzard, Black-crowned Waxbill, Olive-bellied Sunbird, White-eyed Slaty-flycatcher, Yellow-browed Citril
Day 15: 10 Aug 2018 (Nyungwe – Huye)
We had a shaky start to the day and got into some meaningful birding only after the American birder left, but nonetheless Claver exhibited his extreme knowledge of the forest and helped us see most of the important birds by the end of the day. Overnight at Ibis Hotel, Huye
Birding Highlights:
Blue-headed Sunbird, Tullberg’s Woodpecker (Fine-banded Woodpecker), Chestnut-throated Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, Crowned Eagle, Kungwe Apalis, Grey Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, White-necked Raven, Northern Puffback, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Red-collared Mountain-babbler, Yellow-eyed Black-flycatcher, Cape Robin-chat, Cape Wagtail, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler
Day 16: 11 Aug 2018 (Huye – Kigali – Delhi)
A travel day for us, Tony dropped us at the Kigali airport from where we took a flight back to Delhi.