Nyungwe Forest National Park

NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Nyungwe Forest National Park: Rwanda genuinely is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” The country’s gorgeous and well terraced hills, glittering lakes such as Lake Kivu, clean streets, and friendly residents generally captivate many visitors. Visitors to the Central African country have a lot to see and do, from the bustling capital city of Kigali to the country’s national parks, one of which being Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa; Nyungwe extends for 1,015km²over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, forming a contiguous forest block with Burundi’s 370km² Kibira Narktional Park. The park is the most important catchment area in Rwanda supplying water to 70% of the country, and its central ridge divides Africa’s two largest drainage systems, the Nile and the Congo, a spring on the slopes of the 2,950m Mount Bigugu is now regarded to be most remote source of the world’s longest river.

The park’s plant diversity is astounding due to the park’s alternating mountainous, hilly, and flat environment. The park has about 1,060 plant and tree species, with the tallest trees, such as the Carapa, Cyathea manniana, Engtandophrama, Newtonia, and Prinaria exelsium, reaching heights of 1,900m above sea level. At elevations of 2500m or above, species such as Balthacaria, Hagenia Syzygium, Macaranga, and Podocarpus flourish.

The German colonial government named Nyungwe a forest reserve in 1903. Between 1958 and 1973, the overall land area of this tropical African rainforest was drastically reduced owing to forest fires, large-scale deforestation, and wildlife hunting. Poachers slaughtered the last buffaloes that lived in Nyungwe Forest in 1974.

However, Nyungwe Forest National Park was designated as a protected area in 2005, and visitor visitation to the park surged during this period.

The chimps are the major draw of the national park. Nyungwe national park is home to over 1000 species and is situated in the center of a tea plantation, with the Cyamudongo forest being the most popular hiking destination for visitors. The Canopy bridge, Isumo waterfalls, and golden monkeys are among the other spectacular features in the national park. come see these amazing Nyungwe primates in there habitat.

Nyungwe is also highly alluring to birders, botanist and keen walkers, with its 130 network of walking trails and the only sight for suspended canopy walk, the park features few tourist itineraries, because the forest trails require a lot of stamina than Volcanoes National Park.

Chimpanzee Tracking

Nyungwe is a home to 13 species of primates the park is the only destination in Rwanda that offers chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee tracking starts in the morning and its best to carry a day pack where you have a couple of liters of water, have long trousers, the long sleeved shirt, rain jacket, the hiking boots and a hat.

Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is home to 25% of Africa’s primate species, with the bulk of its chimps being habituated. Tracking chimps in the park is one of the joys of a visit, and there are around 500 individuals living within the national park.

A monkey tracking permit in Nyungwe National Park costs USD $60 per person and lasts between 2 and 6 hours. Tracking begins at 8 a.m. from three primary points: Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura. Visitors interested in chimp trekking activities in the park should arrive by 5 a.m. for registration and a briefing from the park’s head ranger.

Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk

Visitors who want to go for a stroll in the Nyungwe forest have two options: a canopy walk or a low ground forest tour. Nyungwe National Park is unique in that it is the only national park where visitors may do a full canopy walk. The Nyungwe forest canopy trek is the greatest in East Africa. The canopy walk begins at the Uwinka Visitors Center and leads to a hanging platform 45 meters above the ground. Visitors may see the rain forest, animals, and birds from various vantage points.

This walk is also an activity not to be missed in Rwanda. In case you are coming to Rwanda to trek the mountain gorillas.

Birding

Nyungwe forest has 310 bird species 27 Albertine rift endemics part of the species that are established in the forests of the Albertine Rift Endemics, of which three are (red-collared, Rockefeller’s sunbird and Albertine owlet) are unregistered elsewhere on the eastern side of the Albertine rift. Bird watching at Nyungwe is good since the vegetation is good for birds and many birds are usually seen at the canopy. Of the 27 Albertine Rift Endemics found in Nyungwe Forest National Park are the Ruwenzori Turaco, handsome francolin, red-faced woodland warbler, collared apalis, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, mountain masked apalis, Ruwenzori batis and regal sunbird.

Monkey Tracking

The Nyungwe National Park is one of the greatest sites in Africa to see tiny primates. Although chimp tracking is the most popular primate 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 Baboon, Red tailed Monkeys, Silver Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, White and Black and Colobus monkeys

Hiking

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the perfect park for hiking, with a varied selection of walking prospects and other expeditions.

Bigugu Trail 

The trail takes you to through astonishing views of Lake Kivu and the hills of DRC. Birders come here to see the localized red-collared mountain babbler, but the area also boosts some wonderful wildflowers, ranging from red-hot pokers and orchids to giant lobelias.

Ngabwe Trail

Set on the slopes of Nyabwe near the park’s eastern boundary, this new circular trail is the only straightforward option open to people staying at the KCCEM Guesthouse without their own transport, since the trailhead lies about 200m down a side road on the left of the main road only 3km past Kitabi Entrance Gate. The trail is ideal for camping.

Kamiranzovu Trail

This trail leads from the forested main road downhill to the relatively low-lying Kamiranzovu, this trail is the parks’ largest swamp, set within a caldera like depression.

Karamba Trail 

This is one of the easiest trail in Nyungwe, and the best for bird watching. The absence of big trees is largely because human disturbance, first as gold mine and market.

Isumo Trail

Visitors to the national park may take a guided trek to the famed Isumo waterfalls. The falls are 17 meters high and provide travelers with excellent views of caverns and even the Kamiranzovu wetland. Some hiking pathways will allow visitors to witness snakes, birds, butterflies, wildflowers, and rare tree and plant species.

There are hiking paths that begin in car parks 1 and 2, which may be shorter hikes than other head trails in the national park. Other activities available to travelers when visiting  Nyungwe park include a Congo Nile guided trek, a three-day hiking adventure, and camping in the forest.

Wildlife

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa, the park contains 13 primate species including are present including chimpanzee with a population estimated at 500-1000 which is usually tracked at a short notice or even the sound they make in the jungle, several other monkeys are readily seen; including the L’Hoest’s monkey acrobatic Ruwenzori colobus, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Silver Monkey, Angola Colobus and the red-tailed Monkey.

Birds

Nyungwe Forest National Park is an important site for birders; there are 284 bird species and 26 species of the Albertine Rift Endemic bird area which occur in Rwanda. The birds at Nyunwe Forest National Park include among others; the Rockefeller’s sun bird, Chapin’s flycatcher, Ruwenzori Turaco, Batis diops, Ruwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolin, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Francolins Nobilis, Black and White Hornbill, Regal Sunbird and Yellow –eyed Black Flycatcher.

Flora

Nyungwe is remarkably rich in biodiversity in the region, more than 200 tree species including orchids, flowering plants and giant lobelia. The park has a span of vegetation zones that are dispensed according to their different altitudes. At 2500m above sea level, you explore the Alpine vegetation which is characterized by bamboo and shrubs. At 2250m, there lies a range of tall trees and fern species such as Polycscias, Newtonia and Symphonia. At 1900m, there lies taller tree species like Carapa, Cyathea Manniana and Newtonia.

Photo Gallery

Luxury

Nyungwe Forest Lodge

The lodge was set up in 2010 and the favorite for tourists at the park simply because it is situated in the middle of a Tea Plantation close to Nyungwe forest national park boundary, the lodge is designed to match with the surrounding ecosystem stretch matching the level of a five star wilderness lodge.

Nyungwe forest lodge furnishes accommodation in 24 luxury rooms in spacious state of art wooden chalets with king sized beds, air conditioner/ heater satellite TV, bathroom with a hot tub and shower and a veranda. The lodge also features 2 presidential bedrooms each containing a Jaccuzi.

The lodge contains a large fresh dinning sitting area combines clean modern lines with attractive ethnic décor, swimming pool, jaccuzi pool, boutique stock, conference facilities, wifi, current restaurant, gym and laundry.

Facilities at Nyungwe Forest Lodge

• Tea and coffee making facility
• Private veranda
• En-suite bathroom
• Fire place
• Air conditioning
• Satellite TV
• Safe
• Hairdryer

Activities at Nyungwe Forest Lodge

1. Chimpanzee trekking
2. Kamiranzori Swamp and Waterfall walks
3. Bird watching
4. Cultural walks

Moderate

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is set on an isolated hill top with stuning panoramic views of the tea plantation and west to Lake Kivu.

The hotel has 12 stone cottages; king sized beds, large sitting room with fireplace, and en-suite bathroom with hot shower and a balcony with a lake and forest view. The common area of the hotel is a large circular two storey building with a wide balcony on the first floor; with a reception on the ground floor and a bar area is on the second floor where you can enjoy some great views of Lake Kivu and the Virungas Volcanoes.

Activities at Nyungwe Top View Hotel

1. Chimpanzee Trekking
2. High canopy walk
3. Birding walks

Budget

Gisakura Guesthouse

The lodge stands 2km outside the forest close to Gisakura Tea Plantation; it has a suitable location for excellent Isumo Trail and the visit of the colobus group on the Gisakura Tea Plantation. Vervet monkeys sometimes pass through the guesthouse grounds. The guesthouse serves good meals, beers, sodas and selection of wine.

The guesthouse offers the opportunity to visit chimpanzees of Nyungwe forest, the top canopy walks, birding walks and a chance to encounter with forest monkeys.

Nyungwe Forest National Park entry fees vary according to the activities to be done at the national park.

The cost for tracking chimps is US$90 for non-residents and US$60 for resident foreigners citizens 500Rwf, 10$ for EAC Nationals, 60$ for EAC Foreign Residents, Rwf2, 500 for Rwandan Citizen Students, 5$ for EAC Students, 30$ for Foreign Resident Students for one day.

Canopy walk is 60$ for Foreign Non-residents, 50$ for Foreign Residents and 5000Rwf for local Rwanda citizen

The cost of tracking other primates is charge $70 non-residents, $45 foreign resident and 3000Rwf for local Rwanda citizens.

For birding foreign non-residents pay $70 for one day, foreign residents pay$45 and local Rwandan Citizens pay 3000Rwf.

Different guided walks value US$50 per head for foreign non-residents and US$40 for resident foreigners

Selected Rwanda Primates tours