Nyungwe Forest National Park
ONE OF AFRICA’S OLDEST AND BIODIVERSE TROPICAL RAINFOREST-DOMINATED PARKS
Nyungwe Forest National Park Overview
Nyungwe Forest National Park is rich in biodiversity and is naturally spectacular. Located in the Southern Province of Rwanda, spans one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest-dominated parks. This park lies in a mountainous area, a region that teams with wildlife including 13 species of primates.
LOCATION
Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in the Southern Province of Rwanda. This park is found near Lake Kivu, Burundi and Congo border. Nyungwe was gazetted as a park in Rwanda in 2004 and it is the second biggest park, spanning over 980sq.km. This protected area is lying in Cyangugu town.
Nyungwe Forest National Park was originally gazetted as a forest reserve in 1903 and upgraded to a national park in 2004. This park is lying at an altitude of 1600 and 2950m. Mount Bigugu is Nyungwe Forest National Park’s highest point.
FAUNAL & FLORAL SPECIES
Nyungwe Forest National Park is undoubtedly a botanist and wildlife lover’s preferred destination. The extensive rainforest-dominated park shelters a huge concentration of faunal and floral species. These include over 1068 tree and plant species, 140 orchids, 85 mammal species, 310 species of birds and 120 butterflies.
Primates of Nyungwe Forest National Park – Over 13 primate species live in this park including a total of 500 chimpanzees. Other primates that survive within Nyungwe Forest National Park include owl-faced monkeys, 400 colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Mona monkeys, silver monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, l’hoest monkeys, Angola colobus monkeys, and others.
Nyungwe Forest shelters more than primates. This park also supports a diversity of other faunal species including elephants, western tree hyrax, giant forest hogs, klipspringers, duikers, impalas, golden cats, bushbucks, carnival gent, Congo clawless, blotched serval, buffaloes, bushbucks, to mention but a few.
VEGETATION
Nyungwe Forest National Park boasts of its distinct vegetation cover, and this exists in different altitude. At 1900m, the common vegetation cover –cyathea manniana, prenaria exelsium, and entandrophragma, while at 2500m, the dominant vegetation includes hagenia.
BIRD SPECIES
Nyungwe Forest National Park is Africa’s preferred birding tour destination, inhabiting a total of 310 species of birds including several of Albertine rift species and forest birds. The bird check-list of Nyungwe Forest National Park includes yellow-eyed black flycatchers, Rwenzori turacos, red-collared babblers, Shelley’s crimson wings, and mountain sooty boubou. Barred long-tailed cuckoos, red-throated alethe, Doherty bush shrikes, Rwenzori double-collared warblers,
Chapin’s flycatchers, Kivu ground thrush, blue-headed sunbirds, Rockefeller’s sunbird, grey-chested kakamega, Archer’s robin chat, rufous warblers, purple-throated sunbird and more. The ideal birding trails to explore on bird bird-watching trip in Nyungwe Forest National Park include Bigugu, Kamiranzovu, Gisakura, and Karambi.
TOURISM ACTIVITIES TO DO IN Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee tracking is an exciting primate adventure, offering a lifetime opportunity for tourists to encounter the endangered chimpanzees in the wild. Over 500 chimpanzees all reside in Nyungwe and they can be tracked starting from Cyamudongo and Uwinka. A chimp trek is all about exploring in depth the daily behaviours of chimpanzees while in their natural habitat. It is a 2-4 hours’ trek through the lush tropical forest and one hour is guaranteed for up close and personal with chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee tracking permits are issued at USD 100 per person. On a chimp trek, expect to see more than chimpanzees. Other primates will also be encountered including l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, crowned monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, and more.
Bird watching is an exceptional destination all year round. Nyungwe shelters up to 310 species of birds and on a birding expedition; there is a high chance to spot the diversity of Albertine rift and forest birds. The birds to find in Nyungwe Forest National Park: red-faced woodland warblers, regal sunbirds, Congo-bay owlet, Rwenzori turacos, Rwenzori nightjars, Doherty’s bush shrikes, Neumann’s warblers, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, dusky crimson wings, barred long-tailed cuckoos, mountain sooty boubou, strange weaver birds, grey-chested Kakamega, Archer’s robin chat, white tailed flycatchers, strange weaver birds, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Albertine owlets, and more.
Colobus monkey tracking is a memorable primate adventure, offering excellent encounters with colobus monkeys while in their natural habitat. Over 400 colobus monkeys live in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and this adventure allows you to explore in depth about these primates’ daily behaviours.
Nyungwe Forest National Park has several hiking trails perfect for normal nature walks and birding experiences. If you are interested in birding, the must-explore trails include the Karamba trail 4km which allows you to come across birds such as yellow-eyed black flycatchers; the Bigugu trail, Gisakura, and Kamiranzovu trails. Other forest walking trails include Muzimu Trails, Nile Divide Trail, Igishigishigi, Muhoro, Rukuzi, Ngabwe, Imbaraga and more.
The Congo Nile trail is one of the longest biking trails in Africa. It is a 227km long stretch biking and hiking trail. It stretches from the North to the Southern side covering parts of Lake Kivu.
A canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park is East Africa’s first canopy walk trail. The walkway is suspended bridge, set 70m high and 160m long. Visitors take about 2 hours exploring Nyungwe Forest on a guided canopy walk.
Hot air balloon tour is a new experience currently available for tourists to be part while on Rwanda tour in Akagera. Enjoy aerial views of the big game and other animals, take pictures. There is an option of setting off for the sunrise or sunset balloon tours each guaranteeing exceptional aerial animal views.
Best time to visit Nyungwe
Nyungwe Forest National Park is best to visit for Rwanda safaris during the dry season; from June, July, August to September or December, January to February. The park also experiences the wet or rainy season
Safari lodges and camps
Nyungwe Forest National Park has three major accommodation options for visitors’ overnight stay: budget, midrange and luxury. They include One and Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Lodge, Uwinka Campsite and Gisakura Guesthouse.
GETTING THERE
Nyungwe Forest National Park from Kigali is reachable by road and air. Driving from the heart of Kigali city to this protected area takes between 6 and 7 hours. Take the Southern Province route, with an opportunity available for you to make an en-route stopover at Butare or Huye town. By air, take a scheduled/chartered flight from Kigali airport to Nyungwe using Akagera Aviation, then you will land at Kamembe airport.
