Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda.
The park is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda neighboring Burundi, Lake Kivu, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as the second most popular park. Nyungwe forest national park is the oldest but due to the unique nature of the forest; it has made it perfect for habiting adventures in nature, birds, and wildlife. The park covers 1019sqkm and is known to inhabit the big five animals like elephants, buffalos, leopards, and lions as well as primates like chimpanzees and monkeys. Just like any other park during the pandemic, Nyungwe forest park was also put on a standstill since it inhabits unique primates that are chimpanzees which are known to be 98% humans who would easily be affected by the pandemic.
What to see in Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda?
Chimpanzee trekking.
As stated above, the park is mostly known for primates which are chimpanzees. Nyungwe forest national park spices more activities like canopy, nature walks, hiking, and many more. Chimps are known to be a close relative of human beings since they are 98% DNA. Chimps in the park are over 400 and are trekked daily by 8 individuals. During the trekking, visitors are briefed to pack long trousers, long t-shirts, comfortable hiking boots, rain jackets, and water and snacks. During the trekking, visitors are given one hour visit while they are with chimps and are told to keep a 7m distance from them. Photos are accepted without flashlights. While trekking, visitors are briefed to lower their voices in search of chimps in the thick forest in Nyungwe so that they can listen to melodies and sing to birds in the forest.
This activity is done morning hours after having a briefing with the park rangers who will take them through the trekking. However, there are habituated chimpanzees where visitors are given more time to be with chimps and these are Uwinka and Cyamudongo habituation centers.
Canopy walk.
To spice the safari in the park, Nyungwe forest has got a canopy walk which is 200meter long and 60 meters high. While on the canopy walk, the park is spotted with different species like animals, birds, fauna and flora. Whereas at the canopy walk, visitors’ minds will be refreshed by the breath of the forest as they spot Virunga massif as part of East Africa. Children from 6 years and above are allowed to walk on it and it takes one and a half hours or 2 hours since it’s 200m long. However, for those in fear of heights, there is another option of nature walk grounds to have the best memorable days in Rwanda at Nyungwe forest park.
Hiking.
Due to the fact that the park has primates of chimps that involve searching for them in the thick forest, most of the time visitors are briefed to be flexible to trek because of the landscape and hilly areas of the park. These hiking trails in the park are bigugu trails, Rukuzi trail, Irebero trail, Isumo waterfalls trail, Ngabwe trail, karamba birding trail, source of the Nile trail, and many more. Despite the fact that there are different trails which some are tougher and others are longer so fitness a visitor taking part in hiking should be physically fit in order to have an unforgettable experience in the park.
Birding.
To explore birding in Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park is the best destination for bird lovers. Some birds are endemic others are Albertine region birds like Rwenzori turaco, white-tailed flycatcher, Rwenzori baris, Rwenzori night jar, Rwenzori hill Barbor, Congo bay owlet, Handsome Francolin, Lagden’s Bush Shrikes, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Pockefellers’s sunbird, Purple Throated Sunbird, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, and Yellow-Eyed Black Flycatcher. Migrant birds usually flock to the forest to find food and escape harsh winter conditions in Europe during the dry season making it the perfect season for birding in the park. During the activity as a bird lover, you’re expected to carry you’re binoculars, drinking water, passport or national ID, raincoat, permits, cameras, and guiding book for those who want.
Monkey tracking.
Besides chimpanzees trekking, the park is home to other primates that as monkey tracking. Despite the fact that the park is the second-largest volcano national park and oldest park in Rwanda, visitors will spot different monkey species in the forest and these are the red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus, and L’ host monkey, blue turacos, and many more. However most monkeys look the same, they differ in movements, characters, shouts, colors, and many more but all can be spotted jumping from one tree to another tree which makes unforgettable moments in the park.
How to access the park?
Due to the fact that the park is located in the southwestern part of the park, you will drive south from Kigali passing via Lake Kivu as you precede the western part of Rwanda where Nyungwe forest national park is located. The park can be accessed either by road or by flight. By road, the distance is approximately 225km which is 4-5 hours from Kigali. Although 4-5 hours might be a long drive for some visitors it’s worth it due to the beautiful sceneries spotted along the way.
However, visitors affording flight air from Kigali international airport to Kamembe International Airport will use 32km to reach Ngungwe forest national park which is a quicker way of transport compared to road trips.
Where to stay for a night in Nyungwe forest national park?
Despite the fact that the park is the second latest and oldest volcano national park, it cannot be explored a day so more days are needed to have your best experience in Nyungwe forest national park. Worry not about where to stay while you’re in the park because luxurious lodges, mid-range lodges, and budget lodges are waiting for you depending on what is favorable and affordable for you. Some of these lodges in the park include Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Family Hostel, and many more. It is advisable to book the lodge 6 months before the travel due to the high demand of clients traveling to visit a thousand hills, especially in Ngungwe forest national park.
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