Nyungwe Forest National Park Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National park is a perfect Rwanda safari destination for visitors interested in watching primates and birds, the park is located in South Western Rwanda in Cyangungu town near Lake Kivu and near the border of Burundi with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nyungwe Forest national park covers an area of 970 square kilometers, the park was started as a forest reserve in 1903 and it was upgraded to a national park in 2004.

Nyungwe Forest national park is a rainforest National park is one of the best reserved montane rainforests in the central park of Africa (the park is the largest remaining montane forest in Africa and has been in existence since the Ice Age period), the park also lies around the watershed between the basin of river Congo to the west and basin of the River Nile.

Nyungwe Forest national park is believed to be one of the sources of the great River Nile, the park comprises of alternating mountains, hilly and flat terrain in the park which inhabits a diversity of plants and wildlife.

Flora in Nyungwe Forest national park

In the park there are over 1,060 plant and tree species with taller tree species such as the Carapa, Cyathea manniana, Engtandophrama, Newtonia and the Prinaria exelsium standing at the height of 1,900 meters above the sea level. Other species include Balthacaria, Hagenia Syzygium, Macaranga and Podocarpus thriving at the altitude of 2500 meters and above. There are also the Sub-Alpine Vegetation consisting of Shrubs and Bamboo like the Podocarpus, Erica johnstoni and Phillipia thriving at the altitude of 2,950 meters above the sea. Other vegetation species in Nyungwe Forest national park include mosses and ferns found all around the park.

Note: Nyungwe Forest national park’s Mountains such as Mount Bigugu, vegetation and trees are also found within the Albertine Rift.

Fauna or wildlife in Nyungwe Forest national park

Nyungwe Forest national park is a home to 85 mammal species including 13 species of primates, the park is the best place in Rwanda to see chimpanzees and other primates.

Primates in Nyungwe Forest national park include chimpanzee, Angola colobus/colobus angolensis, L’Hoest’s monkey, rare owl faced monkey, golden monkeys, Rwenzori Colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, silver monkey, Den’t mona monkey vervet monkey, olive baboon, grey-cheeked mangabey and 3 bushbaby species.

There are also 32 species of amphibians and 38 reptile species, many of the wildlife in Nyungwe Forest national park are greater than in any other forests in the Albertine Rift Mountains.

Birds in Nyungwe Forest national park

Nyungwe Forest national park is a birder’s haven with over 300 bird species recorded including 26 species that are regional endemics restricted to a few forests along the Albertine Rift, birds in Nyungwe include Goliath Heron, black – headed Heron, Squacco Heron, cattle Egret, white stork, yellow-bellied, Hartlaub’s Duck, African Harrier Hawk, Lanner Falcon, Common Quail, Blue Quail, Red-winged francolin, crowned crane, black crake, Africa water Rail, Buff-spotted Flufftail among others.

 

Safari activities to do in Nyungwe Forest national park

Chimpanzee tracking

Nyungwe Forest is the best place to track chimpanzees in Rwanda with about 400 chimpanzee individuals living in two clans, in Nyungwe forest there are only 2 habituated chimpanzee groups found in Uwinka and Cyamudongo sections of the park open for chimpanzee tracking experience.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest national park starts as early as possible with briefing about experience and with the guidance of experienced guides you will head into the forests of Nyungwe in search for the chimpanzees. This activity is not so demanding however be ready to follow the chimpanzee who are highly mobile, once you locate them you will enjoy watching them in the group playing with each other, climbing trees and pick fruits among others.

Chimpanzee tracking is quiet challenging as it takes long hours to find the chimpanzees.

Monkey Tracking

In addition to Chimpanzees, Nyungwe Forest national park hosts other primate species which makes it one of the best places to spot small primates in Africa. Smaller primates you will have an opportunity to see in Nyungwe Forest national park include Angola Colobus Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Hamlyn’s Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Olive Baboon, Red tailed Monkeys, Silver Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, White and Black and Colobus monkeys among others. There are also a group of golden monkey but because it is a small group, there are hard to see.

Monkey tracking in Nyungwe Forest national park is done several trails including The Kamiranzovu Trail, Bigugu Trail, waterfall trail mong others.

Forest and Canopy walks

Nyungwe Forest national park is a great destination for nature walks in Rwanda which is done in 2 alternative that is low ground forest walk and canopy walk.

The canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest national park is the best experience in East Africa, the activity starts at the Uwinka Visitors Center and takes you through a hanging platform which is above 45 meters above the ground. From above the canopy, visitors get spectacular views of the rain-forest, animals and birds.

For visitors who are scared of the heights, there are several hiking trails which lead through the forest. These trails are painted in different colors for easy spotting by visitors, the trails require 8 hours to compete.

Hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest national park include The Igishigishigi Trail which is the shortest trail and the Bugugu Trail which leads to up to the mountain and takes approximately 5 hours to complete. There is also the waterfall trail which leads to the beautiful waterfalls found in the forest.

Birding

Nyungwe Forest national park is a birder’s haven hosting over 300 bird species include Rift Valley endemics, some of the birds visitors should expect in Nyungwe include black – headed Heron, Squacco Heron, cattle Egret, white stork, yellow-bellied, Hartlaub’s Duck, African Harrier Hawk, Lanner Falcon, Common Quail, Blue Quail, Red-winged francolin, crowned crane, black crake, Africa water Rail, Buff-spotted Flufftail among others.

Biking through the Congo Nile Trail

The Congo Nile Trail passes through the park offering visitors perfect opportunity to explore the park and spot countless bird species, primates and other wildlife in the forests.

Accommodation in Nyungwe Forest National park

In Nyungwe Forest national park has several lodges and hotels found near the forest, the accommodation options are of 3 categories that are Luxury, Mid-range and Budget. There are also campsites.

Accommodations in the park include

• One & Only Nyungwe House
• Kitabi Eco- Center
• Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge
• Nyungwe Top View Hotel
• Gusakura Family Hostel
• Gisakura Guest House
• EAR Gisakura Visitor Center
• Café Resto Bar Keza
• KCCEM Guesthouse
• Uwinka Campsite