Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe started as a forest reserve and later on in 2004 was established as a national park covering an area of about 1,020km2. Nyungwe national park is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda bordering Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi. The park is largely covered by the tropical montane rainforest and most of Rwanda’s water. This park can be reached by road from Kigali on a 4-5 hour drive.
Nyungwe National Park is home to several wildlife species which include 13 primate species such as the Chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, I’Hoest monkeys, Golden monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, silver monkeys, olive baboons, and many more primates, several mammals dwell in the Nyungwe forest such as mongoose, civet, duikers, otters, several bird species, trees, birds and beautiful butterflies. Nyungwe national park also has a very beautiful flora made of bamboo trees, orchids, and other several tree species.
Activities in Nyungwe National park
Chimpanzee trekking: Chimpanzees are primates which share almost 99% of their DNA with human hence referred to as our Cousins. The habituated of the chimpanzees in the park are very well used to human beings and well trained to be in the presence of people. Like any other trekking, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park is done in a group of 8 people together with the armed rangers and tour guide. The best destination for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park is Cyamudongo forest which is a home to one habituated chimpanzee family.
The trek takes between 1-7 hours depending on the trekkers speed and fitness but once a certain habituated chimpanzee family is discovered, only one hour is given to the trekkers in presence of these primates, interacting, taking photographs and asking all questions about them which are always answered by the experienced tour guides. During the trekking experience, visitors are encouraged to carry packed food, snacks, enough drinking water, good hiking attire and a raincoat that will help you in case it rains while in the forest. The chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe National park costs $90.
Canopy walk: Nyungwe national park is known to be the best destination when it comes to canopy walks in East Africa. Canopy walk is the best experience as it enables the visitors to view Nyungwe forest at a height of 50m above the ground and several wildlife in it including the monkeys as they swing in the tree branches, birds as they fly and nest inside the forest, all the beautiful scents from different flowers in the forest. This memorable experience last from 1-2 hours and it is carried out on the Uwinka trail that starts from Uwinka visitors’ Centre and stretches for over 90 Meters long. The cost of a canopy walk is $60 per person.
Hiking trails: the Park is best known as the paradise for hikers due to existence of several hiking trails which include the Uwinka trail, karambi Trail, Igishigishi trail, umugote trail, Congo Nile divide trail, Umuyove trail, Ngabwe trail, Irembo trail, isumo trail, kamiranzovu trail, and Bigugu trail.
Several visitors on Nyungwe safari hike some are all of the trails in the forest depending on the hikers fitness and ability to hike and complete all the trail. Hiking rewards hikers with several amazing wildlife viewing including the beautiful vegetation, trees, mammals, birds, butterflies, and many other species that drain in the forest. Hiking trails in Nyungwe national park costs $40 per person.
Monkey tracking: There are several monkeys residing in the Nyungwe forest thus making monkey tracking the best activity carried out by several visitors on Nyungwe safari. There are 12 monkey species found in Nyungwe national park with the most common species being the Colobus monkeys (black and white colobus monkeys) that move in a troop of over 300 individuals. Other monkey species include the vervet monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons among others. Monkey tracking in Nyungwe national park lasts between 1-5 hours depending on other speed at which the trackers move and once a certain family is located, only one hour is given to visitors in presence of these primates taking photographs, and learning more about them. Visitors can ask all questions about these beautiful primates as the tour guides are always knowledgeable and ready to answer all your questions while on your safari. Visitors are encouraged to always prepare in advance and get their tracking permits before the tracking day. Also light hiking shoes and light clothes are best preferred for monkey tracking, enough drinking water, and a camera to capture all the beautiful moments with these pretty monkeys in the forest. However, in Africa especially in the rain forests, it can rain at any time so always remember to have your raincoat in your backpack. Golden monkey trekking is done in the morning.
Nature walks: Nature walks in Nyungwe national park is done through several trails which include the Bigugu trail that leads the visitors to Bigugu Mountain that is 2950m high for mountain climbing and the Igishigishigi trail that leads the visitors to the canopy walk. Visitors are in a position to view a variety of wildlife as they roam the forest in search of food and shelter. Wildlife seen during nature includes primates such as chimpanzees and several monkeys, several bird species, butterflies, several tree species of montane rain forests including the bamboo tree species.
Birding in Nyungwe National Park: the park harbors over 300 bird species out of which 27 are endemic to rift including the rare Rwenzori turaco, and the warbler birds plus other several birds that reside in Nyungwe forest such as the sunbirds, black and white hornbill, flycatcher, Crimson Wing, and several others all seen during the canopy walks and hiking trails inside Nyungwe forest.
Where to stay during the Nyungwe visit
There are several lodges in and around the Nyungwe national park where visitors are guaranteed the best services throughout their trip to Nyungwe national park. These lodges include both Luxury lodges, midrange, and budget lodges and they include; the Nyungwe forest lodge which is a luxury lodge found on a tea plantation, Gisakura guest house which is situated near Gisakura tea estate is the best budget lodge for the visitors who do not want to overspend in accommodation. There is also Nyungwe Top View Hotel which is a five-minute drive from the park and other several accommodations depending on the visitor’s choice.
“A visit to Nyungwe National park will reward you the best canopy walk of your life through the montane rain forest with the beautiful flora and fauna leaving you with an everlasting experience of your life”
