Every traveller to Rwanda marvels at the magical features and rich wildlife diversity found in Nyungwe Forest National Park.  Tales of breathtaking waterfalls, numerous primate species, mysterious swamps, plethora of bird species, beautiful species of butterflies and awe-inspiring views seem larger than life. It is popular for being one of the oldest Tropical rainforests in the African Continent with rich diversity as well as being magnificently remarkable.

Location

This Protected Area is a Rwandan Park situated within the south-western side of the country and is adjacent to Kibira National Park in neighboring Burundi.

Not only that, Nyungwe Forest National Park shares its borders with Lake Kivu and Democratic Republic of Congo in the west in addition to sitting on an altitude of between 1600 and 2950 meters above sea level, making it a high Tropical mountainous forest with high altitude in addition to being within one of the Congo Nile Divide Mountains chain.

History

Nyungwe Forest became a Forest Reserve in 1903 after declaration by the German Colonial Government (then by Belgians) with a number of restrictions places including on clearing and in 2004 became Rwanda’s third National Park after Volcanoes and Akagera National Parks.

Size

Nyungwe Forest National Park spans about 375 square miles and is marked by boglands, savannah grassland, dense Tropical rainforest, swamps and Bamboo, making it one of the largest National parks in Rwanda.

Interesting things that can be seen in Nyungwe Forest National Park

The remarkably diverse Nyungwe Forest National Park teems with wildlife, totaling to 75 mammal species (including about 12 species of primates) that include chimpanzees, leopards, forest elephants, duikers, serval cats, Angolan colobus monkeys, Olive baboons, Mongoose, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Congo Clawless Otters, vervet monkeys and many others. Nature lovers to this Park are also mesmerized by the 1068 flora species as well as 140 orchids. The Ornithologists and birders are not left out because this Park shelters about 322 species of birds that include over 29 Albertine Rift endemics. For the Lepidopterists, there are over 120 species of butterflies to see in Nyungwe Forest National Park alone.

Besides wildlife and bird species, Nyungwe Forest National Park also offers breathtaking sceneries in form of waterfalls (Isumo and Kamiranzovu waterfalls) and wetlands (Kamiranzovu) that add up to your experience in this already spectacular National Park.

Unmissable things to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking

With over 400 chimpanzees in the dense rainforests of Nyungwe, chimpanzee trekking undeniably top’s every visitor’s hit list and currently, two chimpanzee communities have been habituated-one in Uwinka and the other in the adjacent Cyamudongo with permits going for only $100 per person per trek. This adventure usually starts by 8:00am at Uwinka Reception Center with participants transversing through the dense jungles teeming with plethora of bird species, verdant flora and breathtaking landscapes before finally seeing the Great Apes.

The Nyungwe Canopy walk

Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the few places in Africa that provide opportunities of undertaking the canopy walk and was introduced in October 2010. The Canopy walk is part of the Igishigishigi hiking trail and stretched for 90 meters and is about 45 meters above the forest floor. With this activity, expect sights and sounds of colorful butterflies, birds and primates in the inner canopies of the forest including the deep and lush gorges. With only $60 per person, you can get the chance to participate in this life in a lifetime experience that starts from Uwinka Visitor Center and lasts 2 hours.

Colobus monkey tracking

The Angola Colobus monkeys can also be tracked in Nyungwe Forest National Park and adventures starts at 8:00am like most activities in this Park. For a price of $70 per person, visitors can purchase these tracking permits from Rwanda Development Board to not only track the Angolan Colobus monkeys but also come across other primates especially Hamlyn’s monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and many others. For this Park, the activity lasts from 2-5 hours.

Bird watching

Bird watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park is conducted all year round and visitors can expect views of over 322 bird species, of which 29 are Albertine Rift endemics. Some of the commonly-spotted species here are Rwenzori Turaco, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Red-collared mountain babblers, Rwenzori batis, Great blue Turaco, Congo Bay owls, Mountain buzzards, African crowned eagles, Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters and many others. For this diversity, this Park has something of a legendary status among Ornithologists as well as birders who visit the African Continent. Just driving through the forest, relaxing at your place of lodging or even undertaking chimpanzee trekking, you are likely to encounter more than 50 bird species

Guided forest walks/Hiking

Another riveting activity to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park is guided forest walks/hiking whereby over 15 hiking trails allow travellers to sample some of the forest’s delights or involve themselves in one of the Continent’s spectacular Tropical rainforests. Some of the must-try trails are Karamba, Igishigishigi, Umugote, Uwinka, Umugote, Irebero, Umoyove, Isumo, Kamiranzovu, Bigugu, Rukuzi, Congo Nile, Muzimu and Ngabwe Hiking Trails among others with views of unique tree species, primates, birds and other natural features such as waterfalls. These forest walks take between 3 hours and several days like the Congo Nile Trail that takes up to 3 days.

When to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is open throughout the year to first time and returning visitors although experiences have shown that dry season-June to October are perfect for most activities (hiking/nature walks and chimpanzee trekking) when less rain is expected hence forest floor is not muddy and slippery. Heavy downpours experienced in the rainy season make soil muddy and slippery thus challenging to be navigated by travellers.

Top places of Lodging in Nyungwe Forest National Park

The places of lodging in Nyungwe Forest National complete your wildlife experiences and they include Nyungwe Top View Hotel, One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Kitabi Eco center and Uwinka Visitor Center and Campsite for travellers willing to experience nature in another way.

How to access the verdant Nyungwe Forest National Park

There are two main ways to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park (air and road). For the former, domestic flights are provided Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airstrip then continue to the Park by road. Still on air transport, travellers can fly by Helicopter from Kigali Airport to Nyungwe (especially at One & Only Nyungwe House) and these fights are mainly operated by Akagera Aviation. For road transport, The Park is about 200 kilometers/4-5 hours from Kigali City with beautiful sceneries expected along the way.