Nyungwe Forest National Park is close to Rwanda’s borders with Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, which is in the western part of Rwanda. It was recently introduced in 2004 to protect and conserve several primates that are found within the park. The park is one of the finest and best parks in Rwanda that spans 270 square kilometers.
The park represents the largest forest in the whole of Africa since the last age. The forest of Nyungwe is mostly full of mountains that were either formed as a result of volcanicity or faulting. When you reach the top of these great mountain peaks and hills within the forest, you will be able to get clear views of Lake Kivu and, when the weather is clear, you will also get proper views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
It has gained prominence because it harbors more than 200 species of trees, including bamboo and grasslands, and it is also known as the best destination for Rwanda, where you can blend with the primates. Aside from primates, Nyungwe Forest National Park is regarded as Rwanda’s top birding destination, with over 275 species recorded, as well as 120 species of butterflies and 85 species of mammals that call Nyungwe Forest home.
Some of the predators, such as the serval cats, the stripped jackals, and mongoose, all call the park their home. The Nyungwe backwoods feature a well-organized system of all-around prepared overhang strolls that allow visitors to have a birds-eye perspective of the woods and their creatures.
The Congo Nile trail runs through this forest, allowing riders to see forests, birds, primates, cascades, and natural life, as well as enjoy the popular overhang hike. Aside from the Congo Nile Trail, the property boasts more than 20 kilometers of well-kept ground trails for nature walks and the chance to see animals in the woods, cascades, marshlands, and tropical vegetation.
The Canopy Walks provide visitors with a safari experience to enjoy the forest as you are walking on top of it. You will have canopy walks only in this park. Other than the canopy walk, visitors can also engage in ground forest walks to experience nature and the forest’s related environment.
it is the most popular activity that is done in Nyungwe Forest National Park. About 400 chimpanzees dwell in the Nyungwe forest, divided into clans. Only two groups have developed a habit. Chimpanzee monitoring is a year-round activity in Nyungwe Forest. Every morning at 4:00 a.m., groups of tourists depart with expert guides in search of one of the two habituated clans found in the Uwinka and Cyamudongo portions of the park.
One must be prepared for the physically taxing task of following very mobile primates who do not always follow the major pathways and may stray off into the thick, undisturbed forest. Visitors can see the primates sitting on top of the trees, feeding and grooming, once they have calmed down.
This famous trail passes through the Nyungwe Forest National Park, increasing visitors’ opportunities to explore the park and see several species of birds, primates, and other wildlife within the forest.
One of the best places in Africa to see tiny primates is Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda. Although chimp tracking is the most popular activity, some visitors come to observe the Angola Colobus Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Hamlyn’s Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Silver Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, White and Black Monkeys, and Colobus Monkeys. Golden monkeys have been observed in the park, but finding them is challenging due to their modest numbers.
This is the best destination in the world to explore, especially for those who are interested in forest birds. More than 300 species of birds can be found in this forest, and some of them, 27 species, are endemic to the park.
As you do the activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you can stay at one of the accommodation facilities such as the Kitabi Eco-Center, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge, or Gisakula Guest House, among others.
