Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park lies in the southwest of Rwanda, close to Lake Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo border, and Burundi. The town of Cyangungu is home to the park. The park, which now covers 970 km2, was first established in 1903 as a forest reserve. More recently, in 2004, it was elevated to the status of a full national park in Rwanda. The park’s greatest valued resource is Nyungwe Forest. It has been there since the Ice Age and is the largest remaining montane forest in Africa. One of the great River Nile’s sources is thought to be Nyungwe Forest.

The park’s varying mountainous, hilly, and level terrain contributes to its incredible plant diversity. There are more than 1,060 different plant and tree species in the park is home to more than 1,060 different plant and tree species, with the tallest species found in Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda including the Carapa, Cyathea manniana, Engtandophrama, Newtonia, and Prinaria exelsium, which may reach heights of 1,900 meters above sea level.

At elevations of 2500 meters and above, species including Macaranga, Podocarpus, Hagenia Syzygium, and Balthacaria flourish. At 2,950 meters above sea level, the Sub Alpine vegetation, which is made up of bamboo and shrubs such Podocarpus, Erica johnstoni, and Phillipia, is found. The woodland is home to various plant species, including ferns and mosses. A variety of animals and birds find the park’s foliage and trees, together with Mount Bigugu’s location within the Albertine Rift, to be ideal habitats offer the ideal habitat for a variety of animal and bird species. Thirteen of the park’s 85 animal species are primates.

The Angola Colobus Monkey, Golden Monkeys, and the uncommon Owl-Faced Monkey are among the primates found in Nyungwe National Park. Due to the forest’s abundant diversity of flora and fauna, the Rwandan government, together with other conservation groups, has invested a great deal of money to establish the park as one of the country’s top tourism destinations for safari travelers. As a result, poaching in the forest has all but disappeared, and the local population has become more aware of the need of protecting wildlife and trees.

Things to do while at Nyungwe Forest National Park

 Visitors to Nyungwe National Park may anticipate an outstanding array of activities that will leave them with unforgettable memories. The park is  endowed with breathtaking vistas of mountains, water features, and lush vegetation, which make for wonderful wildlife viewing and forest treks.

Visitors to Nyungwe Forest are able to engage in any of the following activities:

Tracking chimpanzees: At the moment, Nyungwe Forest offers the best chimpanzee tracking opportunities in Rwanda. There are roughly 400 chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, divided into many clans. There are just two habituated groups. In Nyungwe Forest, tracking chimpanzees is a year-round pastime.

Under the direction of knowledgeable guides, tourist groups depart every morning at 4:00 am in an effort to locate one of the two habituated clans that have been discovered the Uwinka and Cyamudongo regions of the park were discovered by the two habituated clans. It is a strenuous task that demands preparation because it involves tracking extremely mobile primates that occasionally stray from the main paths and into dense, uninhabited forests. But after they calm down, tourists can see the primates eating and grooming while perched atop the trees. Once you spend some time observing the group dynamics, you will be shocked at how much they act like us humans.

Trackers should be equipped with long sleeve shirts and jeans, hiking boots, a cap, a rain jacket, a walking stick, and binoculars to help them find the chimps atop trees for the best possible experience. Remember not to forget should bring plenty of water bottles and a little food in order to refuel. We advise you to hire a porter to assist with carrying any additional heavy bags and equipment so that you can track the chimps comfortably.

The Rwanda Development Board offers chimpanzee trekking permits directly, or you can use a reputable tour operator from Naleyo and tours travels to obtain one for the sum of $100. Additionally, there is the $100 Park admission fee to pay. In Rwanda, the minimum age to go chimpanzee trekking is fifteen.

Note:

Many visitors find chimpanzee trekking in the Nyungwe forest difficult since it often takes those many hours to locate the chimps, sometimes even failing to do so. The Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda is the finest area to track chimpanzees. There is a greater than 95% likelihood of sighting chimpanzees in Kibale. In addition, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is less taxing because it does not need tourists to travel far to locate the apes. In Kibale Forest, there are more habituated clans with a total population of over 5,000.

Tracking Monkeys:

One of the best locations in Africa to see little primates is Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda.

Tracking primates is the most popular activity for tourists. Some come to see the smaller primates, such as the Vervet, Silver, Hamlyn, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Angola Colobus, Red-tailed, and White and Black Colobus monkeys, as well as the L’Hoest and Hamlyn’s monkeys.

Although they are not common, groups of golden monkeys have been sighted in the park, though it is still challenging to locate them. The most well known species for tourists is the leaf-eating arboreal Ruwenzori Colobus, which may be recognized by its striking black and white (tail and whiskers) coloring. Every species of monkey travels in groups of up to 100 members.

Four pathways can be used to track the small primates of Nyungwe:

The Kamiranzovu Trail, which the Kamiranzovu Trail allows hikers to see several primates while passing through marshes and orchid gardens. Reaching the summit of Mount Bigugu, the Bigugu Trail allows you to observe more monkeys than those found on other trails, as well as some that are only visible at higher elevations. The Waterfall Trail is ideal if you have a fascination with Colobus Monkeys. It begins near the Gisakura Guest House and ends at the Tea plantation. The final route is the Unwika Campsite route, which is split into two sections: Red (10 km) and Grey (1 km). More than 400 Colobus Monkeys and numerous primate species can be seen on this walk.

Walks in the forest and canopy:

If you would like to go for a stroll through the Nyungwe forest, you have two options: a canopy walk or a low-level forest walk. The unique quality of Nyungwe National Park lies in the fact that it is the only one where visitors may experience a true canopy walk.

The best canopy walk in East Africa may be found in Nyungwe Forest. The Uwinka Visitors Center is the starting point of the canopy walk, which winds through a hanging platform approximately 45 meters above the ground. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the rain forest, wildlife, and birds from these altitudes.

The canopy walk is undoubtedly wonderful and thrilling, but anyone who are afraid of heights may find it unsettling. The Forest hikes are a better option for those who are afraid of heights. Numerous hiking paths ascend to the interior of the woodland. Visitors thanks to the pathways’ multicolored painting can spot the interior forest animals and birds.

A few of the trails take eight hours to finish. The Bigugu Trail, which ascends the mountain, is the hardest and takes at least five hours to finish, while the Igishigishigi Trail is the shortest. The purpose of the waterfall route is to take people to the stunning waterfalls located within the forest. When they have extra time, nature enthusiasts typically take their time doing one trail at a time. They would have learned everything there is to know about this ancient forest, including the primates, by the time they leave.

Birding walks:

The Nyungwe Forest is probably the greatest location for birdwatching in Rwanda for anyone who enjoy birds. Of the approximately 300 bird species present in Nyungwe National Park, 27 are unique to the Albertine region, according to Birdlife International. Birdlife International views the park as the most significant location for conservation in Rwanda due to its huge bird collection and great biodiversity.

The Archer’s Robin Chat, Barred Long-Tailed Cuckoo, Blue Turaco, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Doherty’s Bush Shrikes, Grey-chested Kakapega, Handsome Francolin, Lagden’s Bush Shrikes, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Pockefellers’s Sun Bird, Purple Throated Sunbird, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Rwenzori Double-Collared Warbler, and Pockefellers’s Sunbird are the top bird species to watch out for when strolling through the established tails in the forest.The Yellow Eyed Black Flycatcher, White Bellied Robin Chat, Rwenzori Nightjah, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, and Warbler are among the endangered species in Rwanda.

Cycling the Congo Nile Trail:

 Bicyclists are able to traverse this specific segment of the trail as it passes through Nyungwe National Park. The Congo Nile Trial provides excellent opportunity for exploring the park in its entirety whether biking or riding. Bicyclists that wander along the trail are likely to come across numerous bird species, monkeys, and other woodland creatures. It is also the ideal method to take in the entire stunning tree and plant species that attract nature enthusiasts to the forest. Camping is required when cycling the route. For this reason, it is crucial to pack appropriate apparel, camping supplies, food, and water.

Note:

There are year-round activities in Nyungwe Forest. But the ideal moment to Visit Nyungwe National Park during December and January, and June through August, when conditions are drier than in most other East African countries. The rains are less heavy and the forests are less dense and muddy during these months.

Lodging at the National Park of Nyungwe

The Nyungwe Forest is close to a number of lodges and motels. These provide lodging in three different categories: budget, mid-range, and luxury. There are a few well-established campsites close to the park reception center for anyone who would like to tent. Since many of these lodges host large numbers of visitors at the busiest times of the year, it is crucial to reserve your lodging in advance of your arrival. Before checking in, many of the lodges require the presentation of valid identification, such as a passport. There may be additional costs even after making a reservation.

Park One & Only Nyungwe House:

The only five-star, truly luxurious lodge close to the forest is this one.Now owned by the One & Only hotel group, it was once known as Nyungwe Forest Lodge. Situated amidst a tea plantation, the property boasts 22 luxurious rooms and 6 opulent wooden cottages. The tea plantations and Nyungwe Forest are beautifully viewed from this retreat.

In addition to having the coziest accommodations, the lodge is the greatest location in the park for tracking primates, especially chimpanzees. The Kitabi Eco-Center overlooks Mount Kitabi and is situated in Kitabi. The lodge offers amenities like a continental breakfast in the morning and an on-site restaurant. The lodge has a large terrace, plenty of parking, children’s play area, and foreign cuisine.

Nyungwe National ParkNyungwe Nziza Ecolodge:

The Kitabi location of Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge has decent midrange and inexpensive rooms with free WiFi, a lounge, and a BBQ. Continental breakfast is available early in the morning and can be eaten in rooms or at the main restaurant. The eatery offers both international and local cuisine, including delicious pizza.

There are excellent biking paths around the lodge, and bikes may be hired with advance notice. The 2011-opened Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is situated close to the park headquarters. This hotel has a general restaurant that serves refreshments to all guests, a sitting space with TV, and excellent views of the forest mountains. Additional services offered are banquet and conference spaces, transportation services, and barbeque facilities. There are nice views of the mountains and forests from the room balconies. Her position in the midst of the park makes it an excellent spot for hiking.

Gisakura Family Hostel:

This hostel is situated in Gisakura next to a main thoroughfare. It is a fantastic choice for travelers on a tight budget. The personnel at the hostel is really pleasant and the facilities are basic but adequate. This hostel is great for group travelers because it has shared accommodations and reasonable dining options in its eateries.

EAR Gisakura Visitor Center:

This visitor center benefits from a prime site in the forest that provides quick access to the main road. Because of the forest trees, its four bungalows provide a tranquil setting for those who enjoy the outdoors. The bungalows’ surrounding trees even during the drier months of the year, the bungalows’ surrounding trees provide excellent shade and fresh air.

Gisakura Guest House:

With lovely gardens, this guest house is situated two kilometers from Nyungwe Forest National Park.  The guesthouse is inexpensive and perfect for travelers on a tight budget because of its straightforward architecture and practical rooms. The restrooms and showers are meant to be shared, and the staff is very friendly and keeps everything spotless.

KCCEM Guesthouse:

 Perfect for travelers on a tight budget, KCCEM is a charming guesthouse. It contains twenty independent rooms constructed in five brick buildings and is situated close to the Kitabi booking office on the eastern edge of the park and is composed of five brick blocks that house twenty independent rooms.

The guesthouse is spotless from the inside out. The guesthouse has stunning views of the forest and hills. There is a canteen with both international and local food.

Located in the heart of Gisakura, Café Resto Bar Keza is a well-liked destination for travelers looking for decent, affordable lodging. Ten compact yet tidy self-contained rooms with hot showers are available. Locals that come to watch weekend matches visit the bar area of the restaurant.

Uwinka Campsite:

Located in the park’s reception center, the Uwinka campsite is a fantastic option for guests who enjoy camping. It is the only campground in Uwinka with plenty of good locations that provide stunning views of the surrounding forest. During the rainy season, a wooden platform at one of the locations protects the tents from intense downpours. Buckets of water are available for showering.

Note:

In addition to the above-discussed hotels, lodges, and campsites, other lodging options worth considering are Ten to Ten Changugu Paradise, Hotel Credo, Hotel Ibis Butare, Hotel Faucon Butare, Rustic Rest House, and Peace Guest House near Lake Kivu’s shores.