NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK

Everything that you must know about Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe national park is Rwanda’s top primate destination, housing about 13 different primate species in the Nyungwe forest. The forest is located in Central and East Africa and is Africa’s most preserved montane forest. Nyungwe National Park is situated in the southwestern parts of Rwanda at the border of Lake Kivu, Burundi, and the From Kigali city, you drive the 218km road via the Rusizi route taking a drive distance of approximately 5 hours. The nearest city to Nyungwe Park is Cyangugu. Nyungwe national park covers an area of 970 square kilometers consisting of bamboo, grassland, swamps, and rainforests.

The size of the park

Covering an area of approximately 1000 square kilometers, Nyungwe forest is one of the largest natural forests not only in East Africa but Africa as a whole. Nyungwe forest plays a tremendous role in the formation of rainfall whose water supplies the River Nile (the longest river in the world). Accompanied by the swamps within, Nyungwe forest is considered a great water catchment area in Rwanda and Africa as a whole. Nyungwe national park is a heaven for different tree species making up the forest. Visiting Nyungwe National park during a Rwanda chimpanzee tracking safari will introduce you to the swamps, bamboo trees, and grasslands. Are you planning an Africa safari? It is high time you considered visiting Rwanda – Nyungwe national park to be specific.

History of Nyungwe national park

The Nyungwe forest that which is part of Nyungwe national park was in existence in the early years and was home to a few wildlife species. The park suffered great destruction in the early years which reduced the plant and animal life plus other species that dwelt within. At first, the forest suffered afforestation, and in the same manner in 1994 greatly suffered due to the genocide. The displaced Rwandese and other refugees took advantage of the forest as hiding places and thus destroyed the forests as well as the animals.

In 1997 the last buffalo in the park was killed. Additionally, in the year 1999, precisely two years after the death of the park’s last buffalo, the last elephant was also killed by poachers. These outrageous acts against Nyungwe national park’s diversity rendered the park useless which resulted in many of the remaining species migrating to neighboring areas from where they would feel welcome.

In 1995 the park started rebuilding and conserving the various wildlife of the park. In 2005, Nyungwe national park was established as a national park by the regulatory bodies of Rwanda.  Since the time of its establishment and official recognition as a national park in Rwanda, Nyungwe national park has tremendously developed into one of the best destinations Africa has ever had. The park has become famous for being home to a quarter of Africa’s primates as well as having the best canopy walk in Africa. In other words, Nyungwe Canopy walk experiences can only be compared to that of the Valley of the Giants in Australia, Senda dil Dragun in Switzerland, Iwokrama Canopy Walkway in Guyana, and Kew Treetop Walkway in Britain.

Wildlife in Nyungwe national park

The park is vast with a number of Wildlife species. The vast flora and fauna of Nyungwe national park, make the area a wonderful destination to explore and immerse in the wonders of the park. Fauna in the park includes 32 amphibians, 38 reptiles, 85 mammals, 1068 plants, and 275 bird species.

Primate species in Nyungwe national park.

The primate species in Nyungwe national park include among others but are not limited to the following; L’hoest monkey. Grey-checked Mangabeys, chimpanzee-tailed monkeys, crowned monkeys. Dent’s Mona monkeys, chimpanzee, Olive baboons. Blue monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, golden monkeys. velvet monkeys, olive baboons, Angolan Colobus monkey, and silver monkey. Primates are the major attractions in Nyungwe national park.

Bird species in Nyungwe national park

There are over 257 bird species in Nyungwe national park. 121 are forest birds, 27 are Albertine rift endemics and 16 are endemic to the forest. These include red–collared babbler, purple-breasted sunbird, Handsome francolin, Buff–throated Apalis. Blue–headed sunbird, Archer’s robin chat, Dwarf honey guide, Grauer’s swamp warbler, stranger weaver. stripe-breasted tit, Ruwenzori night jar, regal sunbird, stripe –breasted tit, Albertine owlet, Buff-throated Apalis. Dusky crimson wing, mountain masked Apalis, Rockefeller’s sunbird, red-throated alethe, red collared babbler. yellow–eyed black flycatcher, stripe –breasted tit, strange weaver, Neumann’s warbler, and red-faced woodland warbler. Some of these bird species are migratory. They can be seen in particular seasons while others are elusive species and are on the UNESCO red list. Others are rift valley endemic species.

Are you a bird lover and you are wondering what your next birding destination could be? Now you have the answer, get your birding equipment and visit Nyungwe forest national park.

Activities in Nyungwe national park

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the major highlights of visiting Nyungwe national park.  The park is home to over 400 individual chimpanzees bisected into two chimpanzee communities located in two areas of the park. These are; Uwinka and Cyamudongo. The activity begins with a short briefing about the chimpanzee experience by the guide.  Chimpanzee tracking takes about 2 to 3 hours with one hour for interaction with the chimpanzee groups. Unlike gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park which takes up to 8 hours, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest national park is something that can easily be done. The activity is best during the dry season when the trails are less slippery, trees are not that thick and watery. This makes it the best experience in the park. Click here  to book a Chimpanzee tracking safari in Nyungwe National park now.

Other primates sighted include; the vervet monkeys, silver monkeys, golden monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, Olive baboons, blue monkeys, and owl-faced monkeys, to point out but a few.

Bird watching

The park is home to a number of bird species, where some are endemic to the area. There are a number of clear birding trails located in the Nyungwe forest. Walking these trails gives you good spotting opportunities as well as photographing chances.  Bird watching in Nyungwe forest is an exceptional experience not to miss out on the Rwanda safari. The most notable bird species in this forest include; purple–breasted sunbird, red-collared babbler, Rwenzori batis. White headed wood hoopoe, Rwenzori turaco, Doherty’s Bush–shrike, and handsome francolin mountain masked. Once you are on a Rwanda safari experience, do not miss the amazing birding tours in Nyungwe forest national park. It is such a remarkable experience that turns moments into memories.

Community tours in Nyungwe national park

Rwanda is one of the best destinations for community tours on the African continent. Community tours in Nyungwe are one of the safari experiences that will make you appreciate the beauty of diversity in cultures. The hospitality of Rwandese is itself a tourist attraction. You get a chance of diving into the traditional ways of life in Africa. You participate in crafts making, traditional dances, performing rituals, preparing local food, and tasting it. What an amazing experience!

The surrounding communities of Nyungwe national park offer a unique cultural experience. Visiting these communities is a rewarding activity that comes with obtaining knowledge about the culture and lifestyle of these people.

Some of the common festivals that tourists participate in in Rwanda are; Kwita Izina, (the Gorilla Naming Ceremony), Umuganda (Public Cleaning), International Peace Marathon Day, Assumption Day, and Hobe Rwanda Festival. These festivals have a direct link with the history, cultural heritage, and tourism in Rwanda. For example, the Kwita Izina festival is a public event where baby mountain gorillas are introduced to the local communities, formally named and celebrated. This festival makes members of the community find more reasons to participate in the conservation of nature. Such activities are the true roots of ecotourism as well as sustainable tourism.

On a Rwanda community tour, you can visit the Ibyi’wacu community villages and participate in their traditional and day-to-day activities.

Hiking and nature walks

The park has a number of hiking trails. They are available for tourists interested in the thrilling yet exciting adventures. Trails in the forest include the Congo Nile trail, Igishigishigi trail, karamba trail, Umoyove trail, Umgote trail, Uwinka trail, Umoyove trail, Bigugu trail, Isumi trail, Irebero trail, Imbaraga trail, Muzimu trail, Ngabwe trail, Rukuzi trail, Kamiranzovu trail, and Isumo trail.

Embarking on any of these trails gives you an opportunity of exploring the wonders of this park. The trails vary in distance and difficulty. Some can be walked by only those who are physically fit while others are for all categories of travelers. This is why you should let your tour operator know in advance so that you can get the best safari experience free from any inconveniences.

Canopy walk

Have you ever imagined walking on top of a forest? One of the best experiences that Rwanda safaris have got to offer is a canopy walk experience. Canopy walks in Africa can be done at Lekki Conservative Centre in Nigeria, Nyungwe Canopy Walk in Rwanda, Kakum Canopy Walk in Ghana, and Kirstenbosch Tree Canopy Walkway in South Africa.

Canopy walking in Rwanda is done within the Igishigishigi trail. It takes about 2 hours covering a distance of 160 meters at the walkway. The walk rewards travelers with beautiful views of the parks, bird species, and the flora of the forest.

Monkey trekking in Nyungwe national park

Other than chimpanzee tracking, Nyungwe forest has got another amazing safari activity that makes travelers wish to visit the park once again – monkey trekking. During this activity, travelers spend their time in the forests while watching monkeys make life. Monkeys are not far away from chimpanzees when it comes to doing life, by the way, they are more playful and joyful than chimps. Spending time with these beautiful primate species can make your Rwanda safari an unforgettable adventure.

Gisakura tea planation tour

At the edge of Nyungwe forest lies the magical Gisakura tea estate. This is something that can be added to your Nyungwe national park safari activities. The tour gives you a chance to interact with the tea experts and take part in the tea-making process right from the time of planting to the time of drinking. Imagine drinking a cup of tea that you made for yourself right from the initial stage.  You will enjoy how tea leaves are picked and carried in baskets to the processing point. It is something that can be done during evening hours as a form of relaxation. On a safari to Nyungwe national park, you only rest when you want to but the activities are as many as you cannot imagine – the park is small in size but never in experience.

How to get to the National park

Accessing Nyungwe forest national park is something that should not worry you at all since there are alternatives. The park can be accessed by both road and air transport means.

By road, the park can be accessed by driving the 5-hour drive road from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda via Huye. The journey is always amazing as it involves spectacular views of the rolling hills, savannah vegetation, trading centers, plantations, etc.

Accommodation

The park offers a variety of accommodations to tourists ranging from budget to mid-range and then luxury. Accommodation facilities in the park include; Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Nziza eco-lodge, Kitabi Eco-center. Nyungwe top hill lodge, Nyungwe top view lodge, One and only Nyungwe house, Emeraude Kivu resort and EAR guest house.

Besides Nyungwe national park, there are other great safari destinations in Rwanda.  Other safari destinations in Rwanda Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking, Akagera national park for wildlife viewing, and Gishwati Mukura national park. Nyungwe national park remains unique for its primate life and best destination for all primate lovers