Nyungwe forest national park

Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa, Nyungwe forest extends for 1,015 square kilometers stretching over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda forming a forest block with Burundi’s Kibira national park of 370 square kilometers. Nyungwe forest national park is located in western region of Rwanda bordering Burundi, Lake Kivu and Democratic republic of Congo, this park is protects a rich biodiversity comprising over 1,050 flora species with 250 Albertine Rift Endemic and 200 orchids, flora species include 32 amphibians, 38 reptiles, 85 mammals and over 310 bird species

Nyungwe forest national park are a remarkable primate habitat hosting 13 primate species with a huge population of chimpanzees recorded to be over 500-1000 individuals, primates in Nyungwe forest national park include 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 and Angolan Colobus Monkeys. Other animals in Nyungwe forest national park include Giant Forest Squirrel, Mountain Sun Squirrel, Boem’s Squirrel, Lord Darby’s Flying Squirrel, Giant Forest Hog, Bush Pig, Tree Hyrax, Lestrade’s Duiker, Black-fronted Duiker, Yellow-backed Duiker, Leopard, Golden Cat, Serval Cat, Wild Cat, Side-striped Jackal, African Civet, Two-spotted Palm Civet, Genet Servaline, Large-spotted Genet, Slender Mongoose, Marsh Mongoose, Ichneumon Mongoose, Congo Clawless Otter and many more.

Nyungwe forest national park is one of the great habitat for birds in Rwanda living in the forests situated on the high altitude forests ranging between 1600 – 2950 meters, birds in the forests include 27 Albertine Rift Endemics such as Ruwenzori Turaco, handsome francolin, red-faced woodland warbler, collared apalis, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, mountain masked Apalis, Ruwenzori batis and regal sunbird. Other birds found in Nyungwe forest national park include  Albertine owlet, Archer’s robin-chat, Blue-headed sunbird, Buff-throated apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Dwarf Honeyguide, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush, Mountain masked apalis, Neumann’s warbler, Purple-breasted sunbird, Red-collared babbler, Red-faced woodland warbler, Red-throated alethe, Regal sunbird, Rockefeller’s sunbird , Ruwenzori apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori turaco, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Strange weaver, Stripe-breasted tit, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher and many more

Safari activities to do in Nyungwe forest national park

Chimpanzee tracking

Nyungwe forest national park is a remarkable destination for chimpanzee tracking safaris in Rwanda, Nyungwe forests habit a huge population of chimpanzees recorded to be about 400 chimpanzees including habituated chimpanzees which are visited on chimpanzee tracking safari. One of the groups visited on chimpanzee tracking safari in Nyungwe forest national park are found in Cyamudongo section and others in Uwinka area in the forests of Nyungwe.

Chimpanzee tracking begins as early as 5:00 am with briefing at the park’s headquarters then head into the forests to look for the chimpanzees, chimpanzee tracking starts early in the morning so as to find the chimpanzee as they are just waking up before they scatter around the forest in search for food. Chimpanzee tracking offers the park’s visitors an opportunity to learn more about the chimpanzees, observe them and taking beautiful pictures, on this experience you will also encounter other primates such as 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 and Angolan Colobus Monkeys, birds and various species of beautiful flowering plants.

Canopy walk

Canopy walk is one of the highlight safaris of Nyungwe forest national park, this activity is not for the faint hearted though adventurous and rewarding. Canopy walk in Nyungwe forest national park is done on a high suspended metal canopy of 60 meters high above the tree tops along the Igishigishigi trail, canopy walk offers sights of the green tree canopy, sights of chimpanzees and other primates and many birds such as Albertine owlet, Archer’s robin-chat, Blue-headed sunbird, Buff-throated apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Dwarf Honeyguide, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush, Mountain masked apalis, Neumann’s warbler, Purple-breasted sunbird, Red-collared babbler, Red-faced woodland warbler and many more found in the forests of Nyungwe.

Birding

The thick Nyungwe forests are a thriving habitat for birds with over 310 bird species calling the forests a home a reason to why Nyungwe forest national park is listed among the best birding destinations in Rwanda, birding in Nyungwe forest national park is done on guided walks through various trails running through the forests and it offers sights of many birds such as Rwenzori Nightjar, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, the Handsome Francolin, Dwarf Honeyguide, Great blue and Rwenzori Turaco, montane Double Collared Sun and the Red- Throated Alethe and many more.

Nature and hiking

Nyungwe forest national park is a great destination for nature and hiking walks, the park is a nature beauty with steep landscape dominated by montane forests which makes it a go to destination for nature lovers. Exploring Nyungwe forest national park on nature and hiking walks is done on a number of well paved trails running through the forests, these trails include Congo-Nile divide trail, the Igishigishigi trail, 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.

Regardless of trail you chose to use on nature and hiking safari in Nyungwe forest national park you will surely have a great experience of enjoying sights if the beautiful landscape, spot many colorful birds and forest animals.

Cultural tours

Cultural tours in Nyungwe forest national park are offer a visit to local communities living adjacent to the Nyungwe forests, visiting these community offers an insight in the ways the local people have co-existed with the Nyungwe forest while conserving them. On your visits you will also learn more about the local people’s lifestyle, culture, traditions and also be entertained by local dances and drama.

Where to stay in Nyungwe forest national park

Accommodation in Nyungwe forest national park is very limited though the available accommodation establishments offers a comfortable home away from home while on a Rwanda safari in Nyungwe forest national park. Accommodation in Nyungwe forest national park is offered in One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe top view lodge, Gisakura guest house, EAR Guesthouse and Emeraude Kivu Resort

How to get to Nyungwe forest national park

Nyungwe forest national a park is a very accessible Rwanda safari destination located in south west region of Rwanda close to the Burundi border in the south, the park is accessed with by road or by air.

By Road

Nyungwe National Park lies in a distance of 217km from Kigali and there are well maintained routes connecting to the park, when using road it is recommended to use a 4X4 wheel car. Using road to get to Nyungwe forest nation is an adventure of its own offering scenic views of the rolling of green hills, have a stopover at the National Museum and Nyamagabe a satellite town of Murambi which holds 1994 Rwanda genocide memories.

By Air

Getting to Nyungwe forest national park by air, domestic chartered flights are offered by Rwanda Air on Kigali – Kameme route. Domestic chartered flights are offered daily throughout the weekend from Kigali international airport to Kamembe situated in a 1 hour’s drive to Nyungwe forest lodge.