Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in the south-western side of Rwanda, bordering Burundi where it is adjacent to Kibira National Park, Lake Kivu as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Track chimpanzees & other primates, enjoy nature walks/hikes, and enjoy the canopy walk in an authentic forest environment.
Gazetted in 2004 and at 1000 square kilometers, the Nyungwe National Park is the largest Protected Area in Rwanda with rainforest, grassland, Bamboo forest, bogs and swamps being the main vegetation types. It is found within the watershed between the basin of the Congo River to the west as well as the Nile River basin to the East.
Nyungwe Forest is one of the most authentic and well preserved montane Rainforests in East and Central Africa, in addition to being a biodiversity hotspot in the country.
Flora:
Nyungwe Forest National Park is known for its rich diversity of flora, making it one of the priorities for conservation within the African Continent. There are currently over 1000 plant species in this Park of which 250 are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley while 200 are orchids.
Fauna:
There are over 85 species of mammals in Nyungwe Forest National Park including 13 primate species like chimpanzees that are undeniably the prime attraction in the National Park. Other primates in the Park are the Angola Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Silver monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, Olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys and Dent’s Mona monkeys among others. In addition to the primates, golden cats, elephants, leopards, bush pigs, duikers, buffaloes and giant forest hogs are also found in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
There are also 38 species of reptiles, 32 Amphibian species and 120 species of butterflies in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is an excellent birding area with over 300 species of birds including 25 species that are endemic to the Albertine rift valley, 11 of the total 23 species of the Guinea-Congo forest Biomes and 71 of the 74 species of the Afro-tropical highland Biomes. Some of these species include the Rwenzori nightjar, red-faced woodland warblers, Grauer’s swamp warblers, Regal sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, Congo bay owlet, Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu ground thrush, Red-collared mountain babbler and many others.
Chimpanzee trekking:
Chimpanzee trekking is the main tourist activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The activity starts in the morning with a guide, armed ranger and porters entering the jungle to visit the chimpanzee community that calls the Park home. Trekking chimpanzees usually takes half an hour to 3 hours after which visitors will spend only one hour with them but the experience of meeting face to face with mankind’s closest relatives is worthwhile.
Bird watching:
Bird watching is another exciting activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park, with over 300 species of birds to look forward to. Birders should carry binoculars with opportunity to identify the handsome francolin, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Rwenzori batis, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori nightjar, Red-collared babbler, Red-throated Alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Black and white casqued hornbills, Kungwe Apalis, Stripe-breasted tit and Rwenzori Turaco among others.
The Canopy walk:
The Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in 2010, extends for over 90 meters long and stands at over 200 feet above the ground level. This walk allows you to walk above the forest canopy where different tree species, primates (especially the Angolan colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys as well as the grey-cheeked mangabeys), bird species, butterflies and other attractions of the Park can be seen. The Canopy walk begins from Uwinka Visitor Center and lasts between 2 and 3 hours.
Colobus monkey tracking:
Just as tracking Chimpanzees, the Nyungwe Forest Angolan Colobus monkeys can also be tracked. The Angolan colobus monkeys live in troops of up to 300 individuals. During the Trek, you will be able to encounter other primate species that include the grey-cheeked mangabeys, Owl-faced monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Mona monkeys and red-tailed monkeys in addition to the birds and butterflies that call the Park home.
Hiking:
Nyungwe National park has over 13 hiking trails that together extend for 130 kilometers through the jungles. Visitors to the Park can spend days walking through the trails with rewarding views of the waterfalls, Rivers, wetlands, bird species, mammals, reptiles, Amphibians, butterflies and other attractions that call the Park home. These hiking trails include Umoyove, Isumo waterfall trail, the popular Igishigishigi, Irebero, Karamba, Rukuzi, Congo Nile Divide Trail, Buhoro, Ngabwe, Muzimu, Bigugu, Umugote, Imbaraga, Kamiranzovu marsh trail and Uwinka Trails.
WHERE TO STAY:
Nyungwe Forest National Park has few but beautiful and comfortable accommodation facilities to make visits to the Park unforgettable. These include the Wilderness Campsites, Gisakura Guesthouse and Kitabi Eco-Center for budget travellers, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hotel and Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
The park can be visited at any time of the year. However, the ultimate nature experiences are achieved during the dry season (January, February, June, July, August, September and December) when Park roads and forest floor is drier making it less challenging for most activities.
However, Chimpanzee trekking (the main tourist activity in the Park) is best conducted during the wet season (March, April, May, October and November) when the apes have more food and don’t move far, making it faster and easier to find them. Also, birding is perfect during this season because migratory bird species are plenty. However, be ready to endure the muddy and slippery forest floors, hiking trails and Park roads if you choose to visit during this season.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Nyungwe Forest National Park in south-western Rwanda is approximately 225 kilometers/5 hours’ drive from the City of Kigali.
Private Helicopters from Kigali can also be hired for Air Travel.