Top things to do in Nyungwe forest national park
Top things to do in Nyungwe forest national park; Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa located in southwestern part of Rwanda bordering with Burundi and Democratic republic of Congo. The national park covers a total area of 1,019 square kilometers and it harbors different wildlife species including over 1068 plant species, 85 mammals, 13 primate species including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, silver monkeys and over 300 recorded bird species. Nyungwe forest national park offers a number of interesting activities that travelers can engage in during the safari including,
Top things to do in Nyungwe forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular activities in Nyungwe forest national park and trekking starts very early in the morning at around 5:00am with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be allocated a habituated chimpanzee family to trek and start trekking in the jungle which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates like grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, different bird species, plants among others. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you a chance to learn about their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Canopy walk
Canopy walk is an interesting activity in Nyungwe forest national park that gives you an opportunity to enjoy scenic views of the forest. Canopy walk in Nyungwe forest national park takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and it starts at Uwinka visitors Centre with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations where after you will start hiking following different trails like the Igishigishi trails where you will be able to view different wildlife species, primates, birds, rolling hills, aerial view of trees among others.
Tropical waterfall/forest walks
Tropical waterfall hike is an adventurous activity in Nyungwe forest national park that can either be done in the morning or in the afternoon with a briefing at Gisakura guesthouse about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start hiking through tea plantations, listen to sounds of the river, sweet sounds of birds singing in trees, enjoy the cool breeze, views of primates, animals, colorful butterflies among others.
Bird watching
Nyungwe forest national park is a home of over 300 recorded bird species including forest birds, Albertine rift endemic birds and migratory birds which makes it one of the best birding destinations in Rwanda. During bird watching in Nyungwe forest national park, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including the Great Blue Turaco, White Tailed Flycatcher, Neumann’s Warbler, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Red Collared Mountain Babbler, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow Eyed Black Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Archers Ground Robin, Kivu Ground Thrush, Handsome Francolin, Grauers Warbler, Strange Weaver, Blue Headed Sunbird among others.
Colobus monkey trekking
Colobus monkey trekking is another interesting activity that attracts tourists to visit Nyungwe forest national park. Colobus monkey trekking takes about 2 to 3 hours and trekking starts with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest passing through tea plantations and once the colobus monkeys are found, you will be able to watch them feeding, climbing and jumping in trees among others. During colobus monkey trekking, you will be able to spot blue monkeys, mona monkeys, grey checked mangabey among others.
Best time to visit Nyungwe forest national park
Nyungwe forest national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period, there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore nature walk and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
Where to stay in Nyungwe forest national park
There are a number of accommodation facilities in Nyungwe forest national park where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge, Gisakura Guest House, Kitabi Eco Center, One and Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Eco Village, Chimpanzee Lodge, Gisakura Family Hostel among others.
How to get to Nyungwe forest national park
Nyungwe forest national park is located in southwestern part of Rwanda and can be accessed by road transport means where travelers will drive from Kigali vis Muhanga, Huye, kings palace in Nyanza, Butare and then to the park headquarters.
Nyungwe forest national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby travelers will book charter helicopter domestic flights with Akagera aviation from Kigali airport to one and only Nyungwe house and then connect to the park headquarters.
For more information about the top things to do in Nyungwe forest national park, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.
