Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe forest national park is situated in the western Rwanda and is ranked among the world’s most charming rain forests. It is surrounded by a number of mountains beginning in northern Uganda and the DR. Congo, passing through the south of mountain Rwenzori, western Rwanda and Burundi then to the shores of Lake Tanganyika of Tanzania. The national park provides you with eye catching scenic view of lake kivu as well as the Virunga ranges. Nyungwe forest features well maintained network thus giving you chance to enjoy hiking that takes to experience the different waterfalls at viewing points. Nyungwe forest national park famous for hosting impressive number of chimpanzee population about 400 individuals surviving, other activities you can enjoy in the park include; birding where you sight over 300 colorful bird species, forest canopy walk and the white and black Columbus monkey trekking.

Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a natural habitat to over 75 mammal species and most of them being small and nocturnal therefore it’s difficult to spot them. Chimpanzee tracking is the main activity done here and usually done in the morning hours only although you can trek other primates like black and white Columbus monkeys since the park is home to over 300 troops of colobus monkeys roaming in the trees providing travelers with that chance of sighting them. Other primates in Nyungwe forest include golden monkeys, Vervet monkeys, silver monkeys, grey checked Mangabey, blue monkeys, olive baboon to mention but a few.

Birds in Nyungwe forest national park

Nyungwe forest is blessed with over 300 beautiful bird species with 16 being endemic and 27 being the Albertine rift endemics plus 121 being the forest species. Some of the bird species include white headed wood hoopoe, barred long tailored cuckoo, handsome francolin mountain masked, chapin’s flycatcher, regal sun birds, chestnut throated, chestnut owlet, collared apalis, Rwenzori batis, olive and Eliot’s woodpeckers, great blue and Rwenzori turacos among the rest.

ACTIVITIES IN NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Chimpanzee trekking

The park hosts two interesting wild chimpanzee groups habituated for tourism. These groups include the ones in the Cyamudongo region of the forest and the second one in the Uwinka part of the forest. The forest is gifted with over 400 chimpanzees, you can enjoy sighting the chimpanzee, learn their behaviors and see their natural habitants with the help of the guide. These chimps tend to move very early in the morning and they move on a very high speed so you have to be strong enough to catch up with their speed when following them. However, there is also chance of viewing other primates while trekking the chimpanzees including   the rare re-introduced lions, butterflies and several tree species.

Bird watching 

Nyungwe forest national park harbors a large number of beautiful birds over 300 of them and they are mostly situated in the trees, shrubs and at the edges of the forest close to the tea plantations. Some birds can be heard than seeing them due to their shyness. The commonly viewed bird species include the handsome francolin, dwarf honey guide, Rwenzori nightjar, white tailored flycatcher, great blue and Rwenzori turaco, kivu ground thrush among others. The forest has good trails used while birding and you can go birding with the help of a guide.

Nature walks and hiking

Nyungwe forest national park is situated with a steep landscape and good network of hiking trails making it the best destination for hikers. These trails have different features and length so you have to ask the guide for the one you can manage. therefore, nature walk and hiking gives you opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery of the park.

Cultural encounters

If planning a roadtrip to Rwanda, feel free to include the cultural encounter activity to your itinerary and learn more about the Rwandese culture. Interact with the people surrounding Nyungwe forest who participated in the conservation of this natural reserve after understanding its importance to Rwanda’s eco-tourism development. You can get involved in the community activities like the dance ceremonies, singing, banana beer production, bow and target shooting, maize grinding, medicine making plus many others.

Canopy walk

The canopy walk activity is one of the adventures done in the park along the igishigishi trail; this trail is accessible but with the help of a guide. The canopy is found 60 meters above the forest in giant trees and towers giving you a wonderful sight of the park.

How to get to Nyungwe forest national park

You can get to Nyungwe national park through the use of two means that is by road transport and by air transport.

By road-Nyungwe national park is situated in the southern part of the country about 200 kilometers from Kigali the capital of Rwanda via muhanga and king’s palace in Nyanza, continue to butare from butare then connect to the hilly roads then to the park headquarters in gisekura. From huye Nyungwe forest national park is just 87 kilometers from huye-butare but you can spend an overnight here so that to do activities on the way to the forest, you can do this because direct tours are tiresome. From Rusizi airport it is 55 kilometers, it takes only 1 hour if flying in to the park. You can hire a 4×4 safari vehicle for your whole safari.

By Air-Akagera Aviation services provides chartered flights to Nyungwe forest national park putting you direct to Nyungwe house but those using Rwanda Air can be put to kamembe airport in Rusizi which is an hour drive to the park headquarters.

Best time to visit Nyungwe forest national park.

The park has good climate which make your safari activities memorable especially during dry season.it has cool temperatures which attracts visitors, the park is found on a high altitude with a latitude two degrees south of the equator. Although the park is open to all travelers throughout the year, the best time to visit Nyungwe forest national park is during the dry season in the months of late May to early September and December to February. At this time of year, there is little or no rains expected to interrupt your safari activities in the park.

While as the wet season is characterized with wet roads, muddy and slippery grounds this making it had for vehicles to navigate through. You also need to consider hiring a 4×4 safari with the ability to manage to get to the park due to rough terrain of the roads leading to park.

Are you planning a tour to Nyungwe forest national park this season for your holiday or vacation feel free to reach us on info@gorillaugandasafaribookings.com or call us directly on +256-775630809 or +256-701343598  to speak directly to our reservations team.