Overview
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the Southwestern part of Rwanda. It is bordered by Kibira National Park in the South and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the West. It is one of the oldest National Parks in Africa and also one of the most preserved mountain rainforests in Central Africa. Covering over 1,019km2 of rainforests, grasslands, bamboo, swamps, and blog.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the watershed between 2 of the world’s longest rivers (River Congo basin and the River Nile basin) thereby supplying water to over 70% of the country.
The animals and attractions
The spectacular, mountainous, topographic and biodiversity nature of Nyungwe Forest National Park makes it one of Rwanda’s best tourism destinations. It contains over 25% of Africa’s total primates. These include the common chimpanzees, silver monkeys, golden monkeys, Ruwenzori colobus, L’Hoest monkeys, Dent’s mona monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, Grey-cheeked monkeys, and many more.
Nyungwe National Park has got a wide diversity of much different flora and fauna which makes it a conservation priority in Rwanda and Africa as a whole. It is a great natural habitat for over 140 orchids, 322 known bird species, 85 mammal species, 38 reptile species, 1068 plant species 32 amphibians, and many more other Albertine Rift Endemic species.
Activities at Nyungwe National Park
Bird watching
For any adventurous person, one cannot miss out on bird watching in the Nyungwe National Park while listening to their chirping sounds from over 322 species. Watching them in a flock is quite amazing. Some of them include the Red-collared babbler, osprey, house sparrow, bald eagle, robin, aquatic warbler, arctic skua, barn owl, bearded tit, black tern and so many others.
Canopy walk
This is one of the memorable and photogenic activities that you shouldn’t miss out on when you visit Nyungwe National Park. Here, you get a chance to walk up the sumo waterfall (bridge) or along with the canopy at the Park. It is a 200meter trail with a 50-meter distance above the forest cover. The experience you get when you look down at the forest cover is just unforgettable.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 25% of Africa’s total primates’ population. This means that you will be able to view other primates in addition to the chimpanzees. Seeing the acrobatic chimpanzees on the tree branches, mother chimpanzees cuddling their babies, and much more will spice up your with an everlasting smile.
Note; Chimpanzees can be easily trekked in wet seasons (mid-march to mid-May). Therefore, before going for this activity, you need to carry with you a rainy jacket and trekking suitable shoes as trails can be so muddy and wet.
Forest hiking
Enjoy the 1-8hour forest walk through the park’s different hiking trails as you enjoy multiple species of the park’s primates, butterflies, plants, birds, trees, and much more.
Colobus monkey hiking. Of the 13 primates in Nyungwe Forest National Park, monkeys still dominate. Don’t miss out on viewing the different monkey species in this park. Sighting the L’Hoest monkeys, silver monkeys, golden monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and the Grey checked monkeys will leave you thinking and relate the wonderful memories at Nyungwe Forest National Park.
How to get to the park?
Getting to Nyungwe Forest Park is very easy. You can choose to use Rwanda Air as it provides private flights to Kigali International Airport. If you are to use this means, we advise that you inform us in advance. We can then make proper arrangements.
One can also choose to use the most affordable means of the car. The roads in Rwanda are very good. Therefore, it can take you just a few hours to get to the park. It is only 217km from Kigali City.
Hotels at/near Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Nyungwe Top View Hotel
- ORTPN Rest House
