Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National park is located in the southwest part of Rwanda, which is at the border of Burundi. To the south, Lake Kivu, and Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Nyungwe forest is a rainforest National park and it’s best reserved Montana rainforest in the central part of Africa.
Nyungwe Forest National park, is located around the watershed which is between the basin of river Congo to the west and basin of the river Nile.
Nyungwe Forest National park was established in 2004 covering an area of 970km of rainforest, grassland, bamboo, swamps, bogs and many more.
Nyungwe Forest National park is gifted by nature with a wide diversity of animal species in Africa.There are about 14 primate species, 300 bird species, 2000 plant species, 90 mammal species, and 38 reptiles. The main habitats of this forest are the chimpanzees.
Nyungwe national park is recorded to be one of the biggest mountain rain forests and preserved on the African continent. The park inhabits a total of 1000 species and its located in the middle of tea plantation which is most favorable for tourists.
There a big number of activities in Nyungwe forest for a traveler/tourist including:
Hiking
Nyungwe forest has over 12 hiking trails, hiking for over 140 kilometers through the forest.
Visitors spend some time in the forest hiking and there are many trails to explore in the rainforest and discovering many habitats.
One has to be physically fit for the hiking which can take at least eight hours of lengths. If you can’t go for the eight hours we can arrange a short hike just for you. As you hike you will discover a number of primates, flowers, plants, butterflies, trees and many more.
Chimpanzee trekking
The park inhabits a number of chimpanzees and this is one activity you must add to Gorilla trekking activity. Chimpanzee trekking takes place early morning after a short briefing about Gorilla trekking. One needs to carry enough water, long trousers, long sleeved shirts and rain jackets, boots and many more. Only 8 people are allowed to trek the chimpanzees.
Golden monkey tracking
Nyungwe Forest national park is a habitat to the 13 primate species including the golden monkeys. Golden Monkey Tracking include viewing of cheeked mangabeys , mona monkeys, blue monkeys, Ruwenzori colobus monkeys which are over 1000 monkeys and many more.
Canopy walk
Nyungwe forest national park is a place in Africa where one can enjoy a canopy walk. Canopy walk being one of the best not be missed out, it is a 50 meter hike above the ground. At some point one can feel dizzy but it’s the most amazing hike to encounter as you see monkeys jumping from tree to tree, birds, feel the sound of the jungle, it’s an amazing sight taking about 90m long distance. However you won’t regret.
Birding / Bird Watching
Nyungwe forest has over 300 bird species and 27 of them are endemics found in the albertine rift valley. Birds include Grauer’s Warbler Kamiranzovou. You can also find both the Rwenzori Turaco, blue Turaco, the purple breasted and the blue headed sunbird and the park is a birders paradise .