Being one of the oldest rainforests in the African Continent, you can’t afford to miss exploring Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda. It is in this spectacular Protected Area that that tales of magnificent waterfalls, wide range of primate species, plethora of bird species, butterflies and jaw-dropping views seems larger than life. This Park is undoubtedly rich in biological diversity in addition to being magnificently awe-inspiring.
Nyungwe Forest National Park size and location
The beautiful Nyungwe Forest National Park is found in the south-west of Rwanda neighboring Burundi, where it is adjacent to Kibira National Park. Additionally, this mountainous region spans about 1000 square kilometers and is characterized by varying ecosystems that include the thick tropical rainforest, boglands, savannah grassland, wetlands as well as Bamboo forest and this makes it one of the largest National Parks in the small East-Central African country.
Still on its location, the Park shares its borders with Lake Kivu (largest Lake in Rwanda) and neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo in its west. Also, the Protected Area sits on an elevation of 5249 and 9678 feet above sea level, thus becoming a tropical mountainous forest within one of the Congo Nile Divide Mountains chain.
Nyungwe Forest National Park history
The German Colonial Government (then by Belgians) declared Nyungwe Forest a “Forest Reserve” in 1903, placing several restrictions on the forest such as limiting encroachment, clearing for settlement. In 2004, the forest was made a Park hence becoming the third National Park after Volcanoes and Akagera National Parks that were already existing.
Highlights
Animals
The mountainous and remarkably diverse Protected Area teems with wildlife that includes 75 mammal species (such as 12 primate species). Nyungwe Forest National Park is a stronghold for the endangered chimpanzees, although other animals such as Angolan colobus monkeys, the elusive leopards, vervet monkeys forest elephants, Mongoose, serval cats, blue monkeys, Olive baboons, duikers, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, red-tailed monkeys, Congo Clawless Otters, to mention but a few.
Plants
Botanists to Nyungwe Forest National Park are also marveled by the 1068 plant species and over 140 orchids.
Birds
The Protected never disappoints Ornithologists and birders with its 322 species of birds, 29 of which are Albertine Rift endemics, 121 species being forest birds, 11 of the 23 Guinea-Congo forest biome and 71 of the 74 Afro-tropical highland species are also found in the Park. Travellers are treated to sights and sounds of Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Albertine Owlet, handsome francolin, Dusky Crimsonwing, Grauer’s swamp warblers, Long-crested eagles, Chinspot batis, Eastern mountain greenbul, Red-throated Alethe, African Paradise flycatcher, Kivu ground thrush, Regal sunbirds, Rwenzori nightjar, Rockefellers’ sunbirds, Red-faced woodland warblers, Congo bay owlet, Rwenzori Turaco, Crowned hornbill, Great blue Turaco, Red-collared mountain babblers, to mention but a few.
Butterfly species
Lepidopterists should be prepared for the 120 species of butterflies in this Forest National Park.
Breathtaking sceneries
Nyungwe Forest National Park also boasts of breathtaking sceneries that include waterfalls (Isumo and Kamiranzovu waterfalls) and wetlands (Kamiranzovu) that add up to your experience in this already jaw-dropping Protected Area.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the best ways to spend quality time within the jungles of Nyungwe. There are about 400 chimpanzees in this forest hence making the activity every visitor’s must-do activity and presently, two chimpanzee communities were habituate (trained to make them used to human presence). One of these communities is in Uwinka and the other in the adjacent Cyamudongo and permits to trek them go for only $100 per person per trek.
Chimpanzee treks in Nyungwe Forest normally begin by 7:00am at Uwinka Reception Center with briefing before tourists start transversing through the thick jungles, that also teem with plethora of bird species, primates, and breathtaking landscapes before finally making contact with the Great Apes.
Try the Nyungwe Canopy walk
With so many primates, birds and tree species, travellers are provided the opportunity to undertake the canopy walk, since its introduction in October 2010. The adventurous Canopy walk is part of the Igishigishigi hiking trail, extends for about 90 meters and towers for about 45 meters above the forest floor.
For only $60 per person, travellers can expect outstanding sights and sounds of beautiful butterflies, wide array of bird species and primates within the inner canopies of the forest as well as the deep and lush gorges.
Go Colobus monkey tracking
Nyungwe Forest National Park is also packed to the brim with 12 other primate species that can be tracked during visits to the Park. Angola Colobus monkeys are scattered all over the forest and can also be tracked from 8:00am like most Park activities. For a price of only $70 per person, visitors are provided with tracking permits by Rwanda Development Board. The permit not only makes it possible to track the Angolan Colobus monkeys but other species such as blue monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys and many others which last from 2-5 hours.
Bird watching
With a checklist of over 322 bird species, that include the Albertine Rift endemics, Afro-tropical highland and Guinea-Congo Biome species, Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the top birding destinations of Rwanda.
Grab your guidebook, binoculars and camera to sight the Mountain buzzards, Congo Bay owls, handsome spurfowl, Red-collared mountain babblers, Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Great blue Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, Rockefeller’s sunbird, African crowned eagles, Rwenzori batis, to mention but a few.
Undertake guided forest walks
Visit the beautiful waterfalls, different outstanding tree species, wetlands, other animals and birds of Nyungwe Forest National Park by taking on one of its 15 well-maintained hiking trails. These trails make it possible for travellers to sample some of the jungle’s delights or explore one of the Continent’s spectacular Tropical rainforests withy trails that include Bigugu, Congo Nile, Irebero, Umugote, Rukuzi, Karamba, Umoyove, Ngabwe, Uwinka, Igishigishigi, Muzimu, Umugote, Kamiranzovu, Isumo, to mention but a few. Most guided forest walks take between 3 hours to many days especially the Congo Nile Trail that takes up to 3 days.
How do i get there ?
By Road
Nyungwe Forest National Park is only 4-5 hours from Kigali City, for a distance of 200 kilometers with travellers being rewarded with the jaw-dropping sceneries along the way.
By Flight
Flights can be organized from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airstrip and visitors can continue to the Park by road. Alternatively, there is an option of flying by Helicopter from Kigali Airport to Nyungwe (One & Only Nyungwe House), operated by Akagera Aviation.