Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe forest is the most biodiversity National Park in Rwanda which is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda bordering Congo approximately 225km and about 5 hours from Kigali the capital of Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest National Park sites on an area of about 975 km² of rainforest and is known as the main source of water catchment in Rwanda which harbors many natural resources which is quite important to Rwandans. The forest has two major rivers which flow on the east side feeds the Nile and on the west run to the Congo. Nyungwe National Park is home to 13 primates including the famous Chimpanzees and 75 mammal species, and over 315 bird species are found here 110 butterfly species and over 1000 different plants species.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest is the best place ever in Rwanda for chimpanzee trekking and it is strategically located not far from gorilla trekking in Volcano National Park. Trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park commence at morning hours at around 7.30 am at the starting point and it normally last half an hour to over three hours depending on the movement of chimpanzees, trekking chimpanzees you have chance to spot other wild animals such as forest elephant, monkeys and bird species which are beautiful to see. One needs to carry at least 1.5 liters of drinking water, long trousers and a sleeved shirt, a rain jacket, hiking boots, and a hat. Trekking chimpanzee one needs to have a chimpanzee permit which costs $ 100 per day per trek and 64 per are sold every day. We advise you to book your chimpanzee permit earlier before the date of the trek in order to avoid disappointment and chimpanzee trek in a group of 8 people.

Canopy Walk

The canopy walk is an amazing activity which takes place in Nyungwe forest and is ever first activity in East Africa which carried out on top of trees, this offers you astonishing view to a wide number of unique wildlife mammals, bird species, butterfly and tree species and other creatures which are found in Nyungwe Forest. The famous ‘Canopy Walk is 50 meters high in the air from the ground and the walkway is 200 meters in length and hangs across a steep and deep valley filled with thick forest. The Canopy Walk as an activity takes close to 2 hours from the start and the endpoint is at the Nyungwe National Park headquarters – the Uwinka tourist reception center.

Bird watching in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest is the resident of 312 bird species and 27 are home to Albertine rift forest such as Grauer’s Warbler and can be found within the mountain swamps of Kamiranzovou in Nyungwe Forest, both the Rwenzori Turaco and the large blue Turaco are found here. The sunbirds of different types such as the purple breasted and the blue-headed sunbird and can be spotted in flowering trees. Nyungwe Forest is also birder’s heaven and you will see many other species from the orchids to the primates during your bird watching tour in Nyungwe Forest.

Monkey Tracking

Nyungwe forest harbors over 13 primate species with also indefinite viewings of the golden monkeys that have also been announced. Apart from chimpanzee trekking, one can also trek the grey-cheeked Mangabeys and Ruwenzori Colobus Monkeys in Nyungwe Forest. These monkeys can also be seen in large groups of about 300 Colobus monkeys. While here, you are most likely to see other monkeys along the trek. These might include; L’ Hoest’s monkey, the Owl-faced monkeys, Mona monkey, and the blue monkeys. The forest is also a primate country and you can also trek the chimps, the gray-cheeked, and the Colobus monkeys in the ancient forest.

Hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest

The forest has about 130 kilometers of walking trails which have been created in Nyungwe Forest National Park which allows you to explore its interior and its fascinating habitats. Walking in the Nyungwe forest is an awesome activity within different trails which last from one to seven hours. The beautifully named Igishigishigi Trail is one of the shortest hikes yet includes East Africa’s highest canopy walk with spectacular views across Nyungwe Forest, whereas the 6-hour Bigugu Trail leads you to the highest mountain in the Park at 2950m

Visit Isumo Waterfall Trail

The Isumo Waterfall Trail is the most exacting trail within the forest which takes you by some steep ravines interspersed with slippery stretches with about 2.3 km fall downwards into one of the thickest vegetation and sharpest rainforest ravines on different trails in Nyungwe and is forcefully 17 m in height, Isumo Waterfall is stunning to the force with which it shoots through a narrow gap into a magnificent amphitheater and.  You will feel free to enjoy the forest’s cool breeze and the melody sound of streams with wonderful breathtaking views of the forest. Visitors take part in observing different primate of species such as trees, birds, butterfly mammal

How to get there

Nyungwe Forest National Park is found in southwestern Rwanda, of about 225km and a 4-5 hour drive from Kigali. One can opt to use domestic flights through the use of a helicopter from Kigali-Kamembe.

Where to stay

There are a number of accommodations that will serve you in an international way, such lodges include One & Only Nyungwe Lodge, Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge, and La petite Colline Guest House.