Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the most visited and fascinating national parks in Rwanda and it is an ideal park for ecologists and perimeters. One of the oldest rainforests in the world, at 140 million years, Nyungwe Forest National Park is an outstanding conservation area that will be incredibly fascinating to anyone who visits it.

It is located in the southwest of Rwanda and this park comprises 13 different types of primates apart from the chimpanzees which are of most interest to the visitors. In addition, there are over three hundred species of birds, several kinds of butterflies, and many other plant life; this tourist attraction is one of the most famous in the country.

On this page, we’ll explore all the details you need to know about Nyungwe Forest National Park; getting there, and things to expect once there.

A Brief History:

This park was gazetted in 2004, and it has acted as one of the leading sectors of ecotourism in Rwanda. Stretching over one thousand square kilometers of the area, the park offers accommodation to different forms of wild creatures, for instance, mountain gorillas which are on the death list of those living in the forests together with other types of monkeys such as baboons, colobus, and chimpanzees.

The other attractions include waterfalls, gorgeous canopies, and bird varieties such as the Albertine Rift species.

Activities to Enjoy:

Nyungwe Forest National Park is also very special for lovers of exotic views and interesting hiking. As it has been mentioned there are several things to do in this natural wonderland. Here are some of the top activities you shouldn’t miss when you visit:

Chimpanzee Tracking:

This might well be the single most important attraction of Nyungwe Forest National Park henceforth chimpanzee tracking. The forest is also inhabited by more than 500 chimpanzees and coming closer to these animals together with a park ranger means an unforgettable experience.

Colobus Monkey Trekking:

The park is also home to the beautiful and playful black and white colobus monkeys. This park has a number of trails whereby the visitors can hike to see these monkeys and entertain themselves when seeing them perform.

Canopy Walkway:

The Nyungwe Canopy Walk is perhaps the most attractive tourist destination in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This is a 90-meter-long bridge. Through the forest, it creates a feeling of being on top of the rainforest arching over the forest canopy and exposing visitors to stunning views of the forest and its creatures. The final activity is the canopy walkway which is a memorable activity as one gets a top view of the forests.

Hiking and Nature Trails:

There are many tracks that are suitable for hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park; they range from the easy tracks to the most challenging ones. Some of the famous trekking tracks are the Imbaraga Trail, Uwinka Trail, and Buhoro Trail. These trails take the clients through forested landscapes that have features like swamps, bamboo forests, and tea plantations.

Waterfalls:

Nyungwe forest has interesting waterfalls; Kamiranzovu Waterfall, Gisakura Waterfall, and Igishigishizo Waterfall. They are the perfect destination for leisure, for having a picnic, or for taking excellent photos.

Bird Watching:

This park has been recognized as an excellent birding destination and over 300 bird species have been documented across this park. The genus and species are Albertine Rift Endemic species, Ruwenzori Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, and Red-collared Mountain-Babbler.

How to Get There:

Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in the southwestern part of Rwanda- close to the border of Burundi. The park is located about six hours drive by road from Kigali which is the capital city of Rwanda. Another way is also to get Nto yungwe by a flight to Kamembe Airport in Kigali which is approximately 2 hours drive to the park.

Travel Tips:

When planning a trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park, here are some travel tips to help you have an enjoyable experience:

1. You might want to time your visit when it is during the dry season you have a better chance of trekking comfortably from June to September and December to February.

2. Clothing and footwear for the trek should then be comfortable shoes, pants, and a jacket or sweater.

3. Take a camera for taking pictures of wonderful scenes including those from inside the rainforests and other wildlife creatures.

4. You should hire a professional tour guide to lead you through the adventure to avoid dangerous moments on the trekking.

5. Alone, do not forget about the existence of fixed rules in the park, and do not disturb local animals and plants.

In conclusion, therefore, Nyungwe Forest National Park is still the natural unspoiled natural paradise with exceptional natural beauty the world wants to see in Rwanda. Forests, rich and diverse flora and fauna, and the majestic beauty of remarkable waterfalls make the park the perfect place for tourists with an average interest in nature and active recreation. Therefore, prepare your luggage and let us make your dream of a wonderful time in the beautiful African continent come true.