Nyungwe Forest National Park

Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park located in South Western Rwanda, is one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine rain forests. The park is the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa, Nyungwe extends for 1,015 km2 over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, forming a contiguous forest block with Burundi’s Kibira National Park. Nyungwe Forest National Park is the most important catchment area in Rwanda supplying water to 70% of the country, and its central ridge divides Africa’s two largest drainage systems, the Nile and the Congo, a spring on the slopes of the 2,950m Mount Bigugu is now regarded to be most remote source of the world’s longest river.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is an incredible primate destination in Africa, renowned for its amazing encounters with chimpanzees.

Nyungwe Forest was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1903. Between 1958 and 1973, the overall land area of this tropical African rainforest was drastically reduced owing to the forest fires, large scale deforestation and wildlife hunting. In the 1974, poachers slaughtered the last buffaloes that lived in Nyungwe Forest. However, the park was designated a protected area in 2005, and visitor visitation to the park surged during this period.

Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home 75 different species of mammals including small and nocturnal species that are difficult herd to see. Chimpanzees are the main attraction in Nyungwe Forest with chimpanzee trekking done every day, Nyungwe Forest hosts over 300 colobus monkeys or more roaming in the thick forest canopy.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to 13 primate species including

Chimpanzees,
Silver monkey,
Golden monkey,
Owl-faced monkey/ Hamlyn’s monkey
Grey-cheeked mangabey,
Red-tailed monkey,
L’Hoest’s monkey,
Vervet monkey,
Olive baboon,
Dent’s Mona Monkey
Blue Monkey
Rwenzori Colobus Monkeys
Crowned Monkey

Birdlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is an incredible birding site for birders, there are 284 bird species and 26 species of Albertine Rift Endemic Bird Species occurring in Rwanda. Birds in Nyungwe Forest include the Rockefeller’s sun bird, Chapin’s flycatcher, Ruwenzori Turaco, Batis diops, Ruwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolin, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Francolins Nobilis, Black and White Hornbill, Regal Sunbird and Yellow –eyed Black Flycatcher among others.

Flora in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is remarkably rich in biodiversity, comprising of more than 200 tree species including orchids, flowering plants and giant lobelia. The park has several vegetation zones that are dispensed according to the different altitudes. At 2500m above sea level, you explore the Alpine vegetation which is characterized by bamboo and shrubs. At 2250m, there lies a range of tall trees and fern species such as Polycscias, Newtonia and Symphonia. At 1900m, there lies taller tree species like Carapa, Cyathea Manniana and Newtonia.

What to do in Nyungwe forest national park

Activities to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee trekking is the highlight activity for visitors on a Nyungwe Safari, this primate activity offers visitors a chance to come face to face with chimpanzees in their natural habitat. There are two habituated chimpanzee groups in Nyungwe Forest which are visiting on chimpanzee trekking experience.

Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is home to 25% of Africa’s primate species, with a huge population of chimpanzees being habituated. The experience starts in the morning with briefing at the park headquarters, head into the forest searching for a habituated gorilla family. Visitors are allowed to spend only one hour in the presence of these chimpanzees watching them go on with their life.

Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk

The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk is an unmissable experience on a Rwanda Safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park, the canopy walk is the only one of its kind in Rwanda and the greatest in East Africa. The canopy walk begins at the Uwinka Visitors Centre and leads to a hanging platform 45 meters above the ground.

Visitors may see the rainforest, animals and birds from various vantage points.

Monkey Tracking

With over 13 primate species, monkey tracking in nyungwe Forest National Park is an activity that tourists should take part in to get to encounter these various monkey species including the owl faced monkey and grey cheeked mangabey.

Birding

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 310 bird species including 27 Albertine Rift endemics, of which three are (red-collared, Rockefeller’s sunbird and Albertine owlet) registered nowhere else on the eastern side of the Albertine rift.

Among the frequently sighted bird species in Nyungwe Forest National Park include the Rwenzori Nightjar, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, the Handsome Francolin, Dwarf Honeyguide, Greatblue and Rwenzori Turaco, montane Double Collared Sun and the Red- Throated Alethe among others. Birding in Nyungwe Forest is facilitated by a number of well-maintained trails as well as trained bird guides.

Nature and hiking walks in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest National Park comprises of steep landscape and extensive network of hiking trails making it a perfect destination for hikers. The trails are different in length, ease of hiking and features. Therefore you are advised to ask the ranger guide for advice on which trail to take according to the attractions you are seeking

The trails pass through a diverse landscape and present the most scenic way of exploring the forest. Here are some of the trails you can choose to take on while hiking in Nyungwe Forest.

Congo – Nile divide – This trail is a 227km trek and ideal for experienced hikers and can last several days to hike through. However, one can choose an option for one-day hike of part of the section. The main attraction on this trail is the varied landscapes and communities along the route. Along the trail, there are campsites where you will overnight but you do have to bring your own camping equipment’s and shops where you can purchase basic supplies.
The Igishigishigi Trail- This trail covers a distance of 2km with remarkable views of the Nyungwe Forest Canopy, beautiful wild flowers, occasional monkeys and several birds. The total time on this trail is between one and two hours depending on one’s interests. All participants must be at least six years of age and children must be accompanied by adults.

Other amazing hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest include Karamba Trail, Umugote Trail, Umoyove Trail, Uwinka Trail, Irebero trail, Imbaraga trail, Bigugu Trail, Isumo Trail, Kamiranzovu Trail, Muzimu Trail, Ngabwe Trail and Rukuzi Trail. .

When to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park can be visited all year long, however the best time is during the dry season when the roads are easily passable and the vegetation cover is no so thick to hinder sighting of the forest creatures during chimpanzee trekking, guided nature walks and bird watching.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a rainforest, meaning that rains can falls at any time of the day. Therefore, visitors should be weary of this when visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park.

How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park can be accessed by road and air.

By Road – it is a drive of approximately 5 hours from Kigali to Nyanza to Huye and finally Nyungwe Forest National Park.

By Air – The Akagera Aviation offers charter flights to Nyungwe Forest from Kigali International Airport.

Nyungwe Forest National Park Accommodation.

There are several accommodations in Nyungwe Forest National Park ranging from budget, midrange to luxury. These include

One & Only Nyungwe House
Nyungwe Top view lodge
EAR Guesthouse
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel (Cyangugu)
Emeraude Kivu Resort (located in Cyangugu)