Akagera is a stunning national park with a diversity of habitats that support a remarkable range of bird species. It is s a savannah park with rolling hills, lakes, wetland and woodlands. Although accessible, the park offers an authentic African experience and a real nous of adventure. As of now there are 490 species identified, with several additions to the park list in the last few years.

The extensive network of tracks within the park allows birders to visit the many lakes, swamps, hills, grasslands and woodlands to search for some of the parks special birds including, Red-faced Barbet (localized to the Lake Victoria Basin), Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler and African Finfoot. With luck you might also see the enigmatic Shoebill amongst the papyrus.

The range restricted Red-faced barbet is probably the most sought-after bird and should be easy to find around Akagera game Lodge and Muyumbu campsite. Other range restricted species and highlights include Northern Brown-throated Weaver; Papyrus Gonolek; White-Winged Swamp Warbler; Carruthers's Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, and Grey-crowned Cranes. Another desirable species is the Shoebill which is also seen in the park fairly regularly. The park is also home to good populations of raptors and large numbers of water birds.

A boat trip on Lake Ihema gives great views of many of the water bird species and there is a good chance for African Finfoot, which is also seen regularly from the deck at the Ruzizi Tented Lodge. A night-drive offers the potential to observe the several nocturnal bird species such as Verreaux's Eagle Owl and several Nightjar species.