Nyungwe Forest National Park is a green national park located in southwestern Rwanda. It shares many similarities with Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park. This park’s size makes it one of Africa’s oldest.
It lies in the southwestern region of the country in Rusizi District. Its location is strategic as it borders Lake Kivu from the south, which affects the park’s vegetation.
Another reason for the green vegetation is its location in the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. This brings many species that migrate from far lands into the forest.
Nyungwe Forest’s location between the River Nile and Congo basins also helps its growth.
Nyungwe Forest started as a national park in 2004 and has since grown to become Rwanda’s main tourist park.
With over 14 species of primates, tourists can expect a fun tour, especially with the chimpanzees, which are the most common residents of the park.
On the park’s outskirts, visitors will see a wide area covered by tea plantations, a sight many find fulfilling.
Nyungwe Forest National Park also has swampland that is home to over 40 reptile species.
The bamboos in the park are important feeding grounds for primates, who eat the bamboo shoots and soft budding branches.
Chimpanzee habituation is one of the park’s research programs, and progress has been made in securing two habituated families. These can be found in the Cyamudongo sector.
As the continent’s largest afro-montane forest, it is also home to over 280 bird species that fly to and from the forest around the Lake Kivu basin.
Nyungwe National Park’s headquarters are located at Uwinka. The over 200 tree species in this forest help monitor and stabilize Rwanda’s climate. About 80 species of mammals also live in the park.
During Rwanda’s colonial era, Germany declared this forest a reserve in 1903, making it crown land.
The forest later faced encroachment, which caused a lot of deforestation. Primates migrated after wildfires during this time, and by 1973, much work was needed to conserve the forest.
Illegal timber harvesting was also common during Rwanda’s troubled times.
Elephants were illegally hunted for ivory, and other animals were also in danger. A research institute was later set up at Uwinka to support forest conservation.
However, the 1994 genocide interrupted the institute’s activities.
After the genocide, efforts were made to rebuild the institute’s facilities that were damaged. The institute continued to work until the park was officially declared a national park.
Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is rich in plant and animal life. It is located south of the Virunga ranges and is home to many primates such as colobus monkeys and chimpanzees.
Other animals include giant hogs, mongooses, leopards, golden cats, blotched servals, side-striped jackals, otters, elephants, buffaloes, and owl-faced monkeys.
There are over 130 orchid species, 100 butterfly species, and many bird species, about 25 of which are found only in the western arm of the East African Rift.
Some birds include the Rwenzori batis, Ruwenzori turaco, and dusky crimson wings.
How to get to Nyungwe Forest?
After arriving at Kigali Airport (Rwanda’s main airport), tourists can take chartered domestic flights to get closer to Nyungwe.
The flights land at Kamembe International Airport, which is about 40 kilometers from the park.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest
The park offers chimpanzee trekking, mainly done in the habituated areas of Cyamudongo.
Tourists can spend time studying and enjoying the chimpanzees. The largest family there has about 60 individuals.
The trekking duration depends on the location of the chimps and can last between 2 to 6 hours.
Tourists get time to learn about chimp behavior like grooming, breastfeeding, and mating, and can take photos of these beautiful creatures.
Habituation zones allow only 8 tourists at a time, and there is an age limit for trekkers.
Children under 15 years are usually not allowed because of the risks involved. Another activity is monkey trekking, where tourists can see many monkey species like colobus, dent’s mona, silver, and owl-faced monkeys.
Botanists can also study the over 1000 plant species in the park.
Birding in Nyungwe Forest
Bird watching is another popular activity. The forest is home to about 300 bird species such as the red-throated alethe, hornbill, and Rwenzori nightjar.
Some tourists enjoy walking in a natural, fresh environment. Nyungwe Forest offers fresh air, green plants, and warm sunshine filtering through the trees.
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
The canopy walk is one of the best activities in the park. It is divided into three sections: 90 meters, 45 meters, and 25 meters long. Even tourists afraid of heights can enjoy part of the walk.
At these heights, visitors can view the forest and lands beyond, including the Congo trail. The canopy walk starts at Uwinka ranger station.
Tourists can take photos during the 2 to 3-hour walk.
Tea Plantation Tours
There are tea plantations along the park’s borders. Tourists can visit the plantations for a short tour. Most tea estates are located in the Gisakura community.
Visitors learn how tea is grown and processed for human use, from planting to production.
Best Time to Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park
The best time to visit is between June and August and also from December to January. During this time, there is very little rain, and the sun is good for long tours.
Where to Stay in Nyungwe Forest?
There are organized accommodation facilities in the nearby district of Nyaruguru. Some options include Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge, One and Only Nyungwe House, and Kivu Marina Hotel.
The nearby district of Nyamagabe has Kitabi Eco Center. Other accommodation options are available in the Rusizi and Karongi districts.
