The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is not only popular for mountain gorilla or Eastern lowland gorilla trekking but also bird watching. Bird watching in Congo offers birders great exposure to a diversity of bird species in the various birding habitats. Over 1188 species of birds inclusive of 21 endemic and many resident species all exist in the different in Congo. These can be spotted in the country’s various bird-watching hotspots.
Most of the birds in Congo range in the natural rainforest-dominated sites, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and savanna grassland. Among the numerous bird species to find in the hotspots in Congo by self-drivers include the Chapin’s mountain-babblers, Uganda woodland-warblers, Rockefellers, African river martin, Pale-breasted illadopsis, African thrush, Wattle starling, glossy-backed drongo, grey throated barbet, black-throated malimbe, yellow-billed barbet, coppery-tailed coucal, Prigogine’s greenbul, Pale-billed fire finch, Schawlow’s turacos, Richard’s seedeater, Golden-breasted bunting, Congo peafowl, and white-tailed lark.
Additional birds include Little stint, Fiery-breasted bush shrike, Bedford’s paradise-flycatcher, Blue malkoha, Violet-backed hyliota, Red-capped crombec, Mountain buzzard, Amur falcon, Wood sandpipers, Chestnut-headed fluff tail, Brown-nightjar, Bare-cheeked trogon, Rose-ringed parakeet, Whiskered tern, Pied Avocet, White-bellied kingfisher, Least honey guide, Marsh warblers, Pale-olive greenbul to mention but a few. The majority of Congo’s bird species can be spotted in the different bird-watching hotspots.
Top Bird watching hotspots for self-drivers in Congo
Virunga National Park
Located in Eastern Congo and an iconic mountain gorilla destination, Virunga is home to over 700 species of birds. Virunga is a rich bird-watching destination with a variety of its birds distributed across its lush montane forests, savanna, and swamps. It protects a good population of the Albertine rift endemics and other resident birds.
The different birds of interest in bird watching by self-drivers in Congo include the red-faced woodland warblers, Shelley’s crimson wing, Rwenzori turacos, Kivu ground thrush, red-throated alethe, Archer’s ground robin, Stripe-breasted tit, Double-collared sunbird, Yellow-crested helmet-shrike, Regal sunbird, and more.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park –(KBNP)
Kahuzi-Biega to most holidaymakers is most popular for its enriching Eastern lowland gorilla trekking. But there is a lot more here. Extending up to 6000 sq. km, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is home to diverse bird species. Birds in Kahuzi-Biega include among others the African hill babblers, yellow-chested helmet, African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimson wing, Rwenzori turacos, Congo peafowl, Rwenzori turacos, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Bush-shrike, Ethiopian crimson wing, Long-crested eagles, African black swift and Red-eyed doves.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Okapi is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to over 376 species of birds. They include among others the Great crested grebe, Congo peafowl, African emerald cuckoo, Great blue turacos, Spur-winged lapwing, White-napped doves, Long-tailed nightjars, African wood owl, black-winged pratincole, Shining blue kingfishers, Bar-tailed trogon, Red-headed lovebird, Cardinal woodpeckers, Lilac-breasted rollers, African broadbill, Albertine Sooty Boubou, Nkulengu rail, Tit hylia, Western nicator, Fan-tailed widowbird, Lemon-bellied crombec, Slender-billed greenbul, Whistling cisticola, Blue-headed paradise flycatcher, Senegal canary, Pin-tailed whydah and more.
Upemba National Park
Located in the Southern part of the D. R. Congo, Upemba National Park is a rich birding destination with over 400 species of birds. The different birds to find in Upemba include honey guide, racket-tailed rollers, shoebill storks, Angola lark, miombo rock thrush, common ostriches, white-backed ducks, fulvous whistling-duck, Somali ostrich, blue-winged goose, blue-billed teal, cape shovelers, African pygmy-goose, Northern shovelers, Southern pochard, green-winged teal, Western crested guineafowl, Udzungwa partridge, Latham’s francolin, Stone partridge, and more.
Ngiri Reserve
The Ngiri Reserve in Congo is situated in the western Equateur Province and covers 1000 sq. km. It stretches Northwards from the Congo River confluence and Ubangi River. It is home to a significant population of birds including long-tailed cormorants, African darters, Rossy bee-eaters, African river martin breed, purple herons, and more.
Itombwe Mountains
Itombwe Mountains Reserve is home to many species of birds, especially endemic and near-endemic species of birds. The various birds in Itombwe thrive in various habitats like bamboo thickets, montane forests, alpine meadows, heathlands, and more. The birds to expect to find here include the yellow-necked greenbul, Kivu ground thrush, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Itombwe nightjars, wattle starling, gray-throated tit-fly catchers, Dusky twin spot, Red-faced crimson wing, Chubb’s cisticola, white forest-flycatchers, Rwenzori apalis, and Alethe poliophrys.
Salonga National Park
Salonga National Park shelters up to 1000 species of birds. These include the Congo peafowl, palm nut vultures, migrant black stork, cattle egret, yellow-billed stork, yellow-billed stork, African grey parrot, Congo serpent eagle, yellow-bellied wattle-eye, and others.
Forest west of Lake Edward
Located west of Lake Edward and Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo the lush natural forest lies at an altitude of 912m and 2000m. These forests protect a range of birds that are of global conservation concern. They include Shelley’s crimson wing, White-napped pigeon, Grauer’s cuckoo-shrike, Bedford’s paradise flycatchers, and more.
Bombo-Lumene Game Reserve
Bombo-Lumene is situated south of the main Kinshasa-Kenge route. This reserve is the only area where birdwatchers can find birds such as black-chinned weavers, and white-headed robin-chat.
Lendu plateau
Lying along the west side of Lake Albert, Northeastern Congo is the Lendu plateau. This plateau is home to various birds including Bedford’s paradise flycatchers, Prigogine’s greenbul, Chapin’s flycatchers, lemon dove, Tambourine dove, Black-billed turacos, and more.
Lake Lufira Biosphere
Lake Lufira Biosphere Reserve is dominated by swamps, grassland, and wooded savannas. This lake protects several birds including Lake Lufira masked weaver bird, shoebill, and more.
Additional bird-watching destinations to explore on Congo tours include Maiko National Park, Garamba National Park, Kundelungu National Park, Luki Biosphere Reserve, and Lomaka Yekokora Forest, etc.
Best time to go bird watching in Congo
The best months of the year to travel to Congo to enjoy bird watching are March, April, May, September, October, and November. These are breeding months where other migratory birds can also be spotted in the different bird-watching hotspots in Congo.
Essentials to pack for your bird-watching tour in Congo
Some of the things to consider packing for bird-watching expeditions in Congo include a valid Congo visa, a field guide, a camera, a pair of binoculars, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, and many others.
