Nyungwe Forest National Park is set in the southwest part of Rwanda, just bordering Burundi, the DR Congo in the west, and the south of Lake Kivu. Nyungwe Forest National Park protects a diverse range of species, including over 85 mammal species, 1000 plant species, 300 bird species, 38 reptiles, and 120 butterfly species. Nyungwe Forest National Park's bird species include 29 endemics. Nyungwe forest biodiversity is enriched with beautiful landscapes such as swamps, bamboo thickets, heath, and open woodlands. Nyungwe Forest National Park is best known as a primates’ paradise. Nyungwe primate species include chimpanzees and huge troops of black and white colobus monkeys. Nyungwe Forest National Park offers a number of top tourism activities that can be participated in by travelers, but these activities all require everyone to have a permit that can be purchased from Rwanda’s National Park Authorities or the Rwanda Development Board.

 

What are the top activities to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

 

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park's chimpanzee population comes in second in Africa after Kibale Forest National Park, which protects the highest chimpanzee population. Nyungwe Forest National Park offers different trails to walk through while searching for great apes. While trekking with chimpanzees, you will have a greater chance of seeing chimpanzees swinging on tree branches and mother chimpanzees cuddling the baby chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking begins very early in the morning, which means travelers should be very early at the trekking starting point. Chimpanzee trekking starts with a morning briefing about the dos and don’ts in the presence of chimpanzees in the forest. Every traveler interested in trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park requires a chimpanzee permit, which can be purchased with the help of Devine African Safaris or directly with the Rwanda Development Board.

 

Bird-watching safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is considered a top birding destination in Africa at large. Nyungwe Forest National Park protects over 300 bird species, including 29 Albertine endemic species. Nyungwe forest bird species include the Great Blue Turaco, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, Re-Throated Alethe, Green Pigeons, Paradise Flycatcher, Gigantic Forest Hornbill, Francolin, Ross’s Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Mountain Masked Apalis, and Collared Apalis. Nyungwe Forest National Park gives travelers a chance to spot the above-listed bird species with an experienced tour guide.

 

Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk?

Nyungwe Forest covers 1015 square kilometers, making it one of East Africa's largest remaining areas of tropical Afro-montane rainforest. The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk takes about 3 hours to complete along the 200-meter-long trail that is about 50 meters above the forest, and it is an incredible tourist activity that should not be missed during anyone's visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The Nyungwe forest canopy walk provides a wonderful view from the top of these trees, providing you with a once-in-a-lifetime eye experience of the Nyungwe forest as well as an opportunity to see numerous primate species swinging on tree branches and various bird species.

 

Can I hike within Nyungwe Forest National Park?

Nyungwe Forest offers different trails for hiking that give you a chance to view various plant species, bird species, butterfly species, primate species, and mammal species. Nyungwe forest national park hike takes between 1 to 8 hours.

 

Nyungwe forest national park Colobus Monkey tracking?

Nyungwe forest is home to over 13 primate species, ranging from the monkey dominant species to the endemic Rwenzori Colobus monkey. Other monkey species you may spot include the Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, Owl-faced monkeys, Blue-Monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, and Mona Monkeys.

 

How to access Nyungwe Forest National Park?

You will drive to the south from Kigali town via Lake Kivu as you proceed southward to Nyungwe National Park. The distance covered from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park is about 225 kilometers which may take approximately 4 to 5 hours to get to Nyungwe forest national park by road.

 

By Bus: Travelers can as well as get a bus heading to Ruzizi from Nyabugogo Bus Park which is situated in Kigali, and get off from Uwinka Center, the bus ride can also take more than 5 hours drive.

 

By Private Car: travelers are free to Hire a private car which can be much more comfortable, and convenient and which can take a shorter time compared to the Bus to get to Nyungwe forest national park. Hiring a private car may cost you between 100-and 150 dollars depending on your budget per day, hiring includes a driver as well.

 

By Air: RwandAir provides 9 domestic flights in a week from Kigali to Kamembe International Airport which is located 32km from Nyungwe Forest National Park. Flights are the fastest means of transport to get to this national park. You will require a pick-up from the Kamembe international airport and a transfer to your booked safari lodge.

 

Nyungwe Forest national park best time for Chimpanzee tracking? 

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park can be done all year, but the best time for chimp trekking in Nyungwe forest is during the dry seasons from June to August yearly, when the fig trees are bearing fruits, which chimps feed on frequently as a family, making locating them so easy. Nyungwe Forest National Park has only two chimp troops open for trekking; each troop allows only eight tourists, implying that only 16 chimp tracking permits are issued daily, implying that travelers interested in chimp tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park must book their safari in advance.

 

Top things to pack for Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park? 

Nyungwe forest national park chimpanzee trekking takes place in the forest, where travelers can encounter stingy trees, and insects, so we strongly advise you to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and long trousers that can protect you from the undergrowth, biting ants, and stinging nettles.  Insect repellent, a torch or flashlight with spare batteries, a camera, wet wipes, comfortable hiking boots and socks, a water bottle, and lenses are all recommended items to bring on Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

 

Where to stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimp trekking?

Nyungwe forest national park offers a number of Lodges ranging from Budget lodges, mid-range lodges, and luxury lodges that include Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Gisakura Family Hostel, one and only Nyungwe, Nyungwe House, and Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel. Contact us for more information regarding your accommodation inquiries.

 

Why book with Devine African Safaris while planning to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Devine African Safaris offers personalized services or tours with all the details that a customer may need to know about their trip to either Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Congo, or Tanzania. Our tours are dedicated to the safety and full enjoyment of our guests. We are fully committed to the well-being of all the staff and clients as well as positively impacting the local communities and wild places that our services reach out to.