Wildlife Safaris In Nyungwe Forest National Park

Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Situated in western Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest national park is one of the largest protected high altitude rainforest In East Africa, and the largest mountainous rainforest remaining in Africa, with a size of 970 square kilometers with an altitude of 1600m-2950m.

The park is just 225km from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda and is situated on the Albertine Rift, a series of mountain ranges beginning at the Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda and Congo, continuing south into the Lendu Plateau in eastern Congo.

The area, established as a forest reserve in 1933 and recently named a national park, is an important water catchment area for Rwanda and contains many natural resources integral to Rwanda’s human populations. The surrounding land is a light green in contrast with the park’s lush green forest canopy. Its boundaries are outlined in red,with Lake Kivu above the park.

The area has biodiversity of Flora and Fauna, with over 75 wildlife species where 13 primates has been recorded, for example Chimpanzees, golden monkeys, mangabeys, colobus and vervet monkeys.

There are over 300 bird species recorded, 26 species of which are endemic to the Albertine rift valley. Some of the birds that would definitely catch the attention are the gigantic forest hornbills, blue toraco, paradise-fly catchers, red throated alethe, Ross’s turaco, red-breasted sparrow hawk, and white-headed wood hoopoe.

On flora, the park has over 260 plant species with different types of trees and shrubs, which makes it rich for botany.

Canopy walk way:

This is a suspension bridge that is 70m high and above the Nyungwe forest. This does present you the opportunity to get a bird view of what the forest has including the surrounding. You will be able to spot monkeys as they play on tree branches, several species of birds and much more.

Mountain hiking

is also an adventurous activity for those physically fit, who are interested in climbing mountain. Bigugu trail which leads to the 2,950 m Bigugu peak, the highest point in Nyungwe national park which is the most hiked.

Birding

This is one of the best places in Rwanda where you will be able to spot various species of birds. Some of the birds you can see here include ; dusky crimsonwing, stripe breasted tit, albertine owlet, kungwe apalis, handsome spurfowl, great blue turaco, regal sunbird, ruwezori turaco, among other species.

Primate trekking

On your trip to this park, you will be able to spot some of the primate species as they roam in the park. These do include chimpanzees, L’hoests monkeys which are endemic to the park, barbets, blue monkeys plus much more.

Best time to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park can be visited throughout the year but for the best experience, you can visit during the dry season which does take place between the months of June to September and December to February.

During this time, the park does receive little or no rainfall which makes the trails within the park less slippery that makes movement quite easy. You will also be able to complete your trip without the hindrance of the rains.

You can as well visit during the wet season of the year. This does take place during the months of March to May and October to December. During this time, the country does receive a lot of rainfall which makes the trails within the park slippery and hard to navigate. However, with the right 4×4 car you will be able to go through such roads with ease.

It’s also the best time you will be able to get a discount on car hire and that offered by different hotels as well.

How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National park can be accessed by either road or air. By road, drive to the south of the country and proceed while overlooking beautiful scenic views of the rolling hills. You will pass through Huye town and continue till you get to the park entrance.

On your roadtrip, you can choose to stop over at the Nyanza King’s palace in Nyabishindi where you will get to learn so much about Rwandan culture.

By air, you will need to take a chartered plane from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe International airport where you will connect to Nyungwe forest national park.

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