Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
What to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park? With so much to offer to travellers who visit, there are several activities that tourists can do when in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest montane rainforest lodge that still stands to date in the whole of East Africa, extending up to 1015 square kilometres over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, thereby forming a contiguous forest block with Kibira National Park of Burundi, which is 70 square kilometres. Nyungwe Forest is an important water catchment area of Rwanda, supplying up to 70% to the country. Nyungwe Park is bordered by Burundi to the south and Lake Kivu to the west.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a rich montane rainforest with a very rich biodiversity, with a record 1,050 plant species, 250 Albertine Rift endemics and 200 orchids, along with at the very least 120 butterfly species. The vegetation cover of Nyungwe National Park is spread over the various vegetation zones in the different altitudes. Nyungwe Forest National Park has about 32 amphibians, 38 reptiles, 85 mammals and 310 bird species, of which about 15% are Albertine Rift endemics.
The 13 primate species found in Nyungwe Park are a wonder to marvel at, especially the chimpanzees, whose population ranges from 500 to 1000 individuals. Chimpanzees can be encountered on a chimpanzee tracking experience in the park. Other primate species tourists can see include L’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and Angola colobus, among so many others.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a true birder’s paradise with over 322 bird species, which tourists can head out to spot on many well-developed walking trails. 26 or more of the 284 bird species are Albertine Rift endemics. The various bird species in Nyungwe National Park that tourists can encounter include the Chapin’s flycatcher, Ruwenzori turaco, Batis diops, handsome francolin, and regal sunbird, among many others. While on a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park, birding is possible, and tourists have a bird’s-eye view of the montane forest.
The activities to include:
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park is the most popular activity in the park, the one activity that has many of the travellers visiting the park. There are two habituated chimpanzee groups in Nyungwe Forest National Park that tourists can encounter on a chimpanzee tracking safari, spending only one hour with the near humans.
Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk
A canopy walk in Nyungwe Park has travellers getting a bird’s-eye view of the forest on a 200m-long walkway suspended between higher slopes and giant trees about 1km from Uwinka. The walkway has a height of 40 metres, rewarding travellers with spectacular views of wildlife, including chimpanzees, various monkey species, birds and so much more.
Monkey Tracking
With over 13 primate species, monkey tracking in Nyungwe National Park is an activity that tourists should take part in to get to encounter these various monkey species, including the owl-faced monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey.
Birding
The park has about 322 bird species roaming the park, including about 27 Albertine Rift Valley endemics. Some of the bird species travellers are sure to encounter include Rockefeller’s sunbird, Albert’s owlet, and many more. Keen birders can see over 100 bird species on a good day.
Nature trails
The park has about 15 well-developed nature trails that travellers can take to explore the park extensively, with the guidance of a ranger guide. Whereas some nature or hiking trails are easy, others are rather strenuous and are so challenging that they require a certain level of fitness.
Famous hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park include the Bigugu Trail, the Ngabwe Trail, and the Karamba Trail, among others, all of which give stunning views, and travellers get to explore the hidden treasures of Nyungwe Forest National Park.
When to visit the Park
Nyungwe Forest can be visited all year long. The best time is, however, during the dry season when the roads are easily passable, and also the vegetation cover is not so thick as to hinder game viewing, especially during chimpanzee tracking and bird watching.
Nyungwe Forest is, however, a rainforest, meaning that rain can fall at any time of the day. Travellers should therefore be wary of this when visiting the park.
How to get to Nyungwe Park
The park can be accessed by both air and road. By road, Nyungwe Forest is 217 km away from Kigali, barely 3 hours away. A 4WD vehicle is, however, required, making several stops along the way as well as enjoying scenic views of, among others, the countryside and rolling hills of Rwanda. By air, flights are available for booking with RwandAir for a transfer from Kigali to Kamembe airport, which is only 1 hour from Nyungwe Forest.
Accommodation.
There are several accommodation options in Nyungwe Forest, from super luxury to basic, thereby catering for all kinds of travellers. Some of the accommodation facilities that travellers can choose to stay in while on a Rwanda safari in Nyungwe Forest include Nyungwe Forest Lodge and Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, among others.
The park is one of the best Rwanda national parks that tourists can explore while on a Rwanda safari tour. Nyungwe Forest can be visited solely on a 3-day Nyungwe Forest National Park safari or for more days, depending on one’s tastes and preferences. Combining Nyungwe Forest with any other Rwanda national park, like Volcanoes National Park, is a great idea for a complete Rwanda primate safari, or with Akagera National Park for a bit of game viewing in the savannah plains. Combining a Nyungwe Forest Park safari with Uganda for Uganda gorilla safaris, Uganda game viewing safaris, and so much more would have you enjoying your Africa safari in great measure. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you plan a wonderful Rwanda safari to visit Nyungwe Forest.
