Nyungwe forest National Park

History / Background of Nyungwe forest national park

 

Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest national parks not only in Rwanda but also in the entire East African region. The park traces its origin as early as 1903 when the then colonial masters of the area (German government) declared it a national reserve and a colonial crown.

 

Between the years 1958 and 1973, Nyungwe forest national park tremendously reduced in size to about 150 square kilometers primarily due to continuous poaching and deforestation. This came with destruction of quite a number of elephants, buffaloes and other animal species.

 

On the other hand, the population of colobus monkeys grew to about four hundred individuals by the year 1984 and this was followed by setting up of research and tourism facilities at Uwinka much as the facilities were destroyed during the genocide era (1994).  The facilities were re-established between 1995 and 2004,thereafter Nyungwe forest was officially declared a national park. This came with tremendous boost on the tourism sector of Rwanda as is still evident up to date.

 

Location of Nyungwe Forest National Park

 

Nyungwe forest national park is located in the spectacular western Great Rift Valley, southwest of Rwanda towards the border with Burundi, south of Lake Kivu and west of Democratic Republic of Congo. Nyungwe forest national park is near the districts ofRusizi, Nyamasheke and Nyamagabe in the south western wing of the countryon the eastern side of the great Congo-Nile trail and north of Burundi.

 

The park is not only dominated by the magical Nyungwe forest but alsoswamps, bamboo thickets, rolling hills and open woodlands.

 

How to access Nyungwe Forest national park (Accessibility)?

 

Accessing Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest national park is a venture that can be made using two options- road and air transport.

 

By air, travelers to Nyungwe forest national park can land at Kamembe airportby Akagera Aviation Company helicopters which provide quick access to the park from Kigali International airport. Akagera Aviation Company helicopters offer services ranging from single passenger seater to five passenger seater hence making both single and group travels possible.

 

On the other hand, those opting for road transport to Nyungwe forest national park can embark on a five hour drive from the city of Kigali (about 225 kilometers). Nyungwe forest national park also lies 54 kilometers from the Rwanda – Congo border in Cyangugu and 90 kilometers from Rwanda – Burundi border near Butare. Thus the choice of how to access Nyungwe forest national park lies in the hands of travelers.

 

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK (ATTRACTIONS)?

 

Nyungwe forest national park is a regional biodiversity hotspot, supporting 1,068 recorded plant species, 322 bird species, 75 known mammal species and 13 different primate species. The park is a home away from home since it offers a lot of tourism attractions and activities among which include but not limited to the following;

 

Chimpanzee trekking

 

Nyungwe forest national park is home to quite a number of chimpanzees most common in the areas of Gisakura forest. The park currently has two habituated families of chimpanzees,one being at Uwinka and the other bigger group in Cyamudongo fragmented forest.

 

The nature of the forest and terrain of the park render chimpanzee trekking at Nyungwe forest one of the best tourism activities in the entire East African region. The activity comprises of spending hours in the forest of Nyungwe while searching for these human-like creatures. It is a moment turned into memory.

 

Colobus monkeys

 

Nyungwe forest national park is home to a quarter of Africa’s primate species including colobus monkeys. Visiting the park introduces you to a wide range of monkey species, as you get to see them play, shout and climb from tree to tree searching for what to put in their stomachs.

 

Canopy walking

 

One of the best and unique tourism attractions / activities found in Nyungwe forest national park is the spectacular canopy walks. You get to walk on top of trees on the artificially designated trails. The walk provides opportunities for great landscape and bird views.

 

The park is also home to several plant species some of which are unique to the area. Nyungwe forest is currently the largest forest expanse remaining in Rwanda.

 

Birding

 

Nyungwe forest is one of the best destinations for birding in Rwanda and East Africaas a whole. The park is a host to over 300 bird species and 29 of them are rift valley endemics.Some of the bird species in Nyungwe Forest National Park include; Rwenzori Turaco, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Kungwe Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Apalis argentea, Francolinus nobilis, Dusky Crimson Wing, Cryptospiza shelleyi, Cryptospiza jacksoni, Kupeornis rufocinctus, Melaenornis ardesiacus, Red-collared Babbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Neumann’s Warbler Regal Sunbird, to mention but a few.

 

Hiking expeditions

 

Nyungwe forest also offers hiking opportunities to its visitors. You get to hike the Umuyove trail which is a famous hiking trail in Nyungwe forest national park. The trail is best for bird and primate watching, this trail covers a distance of 5.5 kilometers taking three to four hours to complete depending on your physical fitness and speed.

 

Where to stay in Nyungwe Forest National park (Accommodation)?

 

Accommodation in Nyungwe forest national park ranges from luxury to mid-range and alsobudget / campsites. Some of the accommodation points in Nyungwe forest include but not limited to the following; Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge, One and Only house, Nyungwe top view hill hotel, Gisakura Guesthouse and so much more.

 

Best time to visit Nyungwe forest National Park

 

Nyungwe forest can be visited all through the year, however, depending on the activity of travelers’ interests. Since most of the activities are done within the forests, visitors usually find comfort in visiting the park during drier months where walking through is made easy. The best months to visit is June to September.

Related Destinations

lion standing

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth national park is one of Uganda’s vibrant parks and enjoys a bigger percentage of tourists who come to Uganda planning a visit to this splendid park. The park has a rich…

View Tour

murchison falls

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls national park is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda located in north-western Uganda covering an area of 3,840 square Kilometres. This park is known to be…

View Tour

mount elgon crater lake

Mount Elgon National Park

Mount. Elgon national park is a unique game park shared by 2 east African countries - Uganda and Kenya. The park gets its name from the special Mount Elgon, an ancient extinct volcano…

View Tour

young leopard in serengeti park

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is the oldest national park in Tanzania and holds a spot among the largest wildlife parks on the African continent. The park is found in eastern Mara Region,…

View Tour

Lizard in Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori National Park is one of the ten gazetted national parks in Uganda. The park stretches over an area of 996 square kilometers sharing borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo…

View Tour

ngorongoro game drive

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro conservation area is among the conservation areas under UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Ngorongoro district, west of Arusha city in northern Tanzania. This conservation…

View Tour

gorilla scratching his shoulder

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Have you been passionate about or had any questions in line with gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, birding or so many other adventures? Mgahinga gorilla national park has got all…

View Tour

gray crested crane

Gishwati Mukura National Park

When it comes to unique and new African safari experiences, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is of no doubt one exceptional place any nature lover should look out for. Established in 2015,…

View Tour

zebras

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s primeval tourism destinations. Found in the far northeastern corner and sharing borders with Kenya and South Sudan, the park is…

View Tour

buffalo in bush

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is one of the most recently gazzeted game parks in Uganda located in the western district of Bundibugyo along the foothills of Mount. Rwenzori. Upgraded to…

View Tour

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is one of the oldest and most famous parks on the African continent. This is attributed to the fact that it is one of the few stronghold destinations hosting ¼…

View Tour

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the tiniest game park of all the ten gazetted national parks in Uganda. This hidden savannah gem is found 240 km west of Kampala in Kiruhura District in…

View Tour

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is a very important park found in Kanungu district - southwestern region of Uganda. This Park is situated on the edge of AlbertineRift Valley and shares…

View Tour

kibale-national-park primates

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is among the best rewarding destinations in Uganda to explore. Endowed with varied and rich landscapes of rainforest, swamp, and patches of savanna interposed…

View Tour

Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park

The oldest national park in Africa, formerly known as Albert National Park, is located in central part of Africa. The Albertine Rift in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of…

View Tour

Masai Mara National Park

Masai Mara National Park

Located 270 kilometers south of Nairobi - one of Kenya's most dynamic towns, the Masai Mara is unquestionably one of Africa's most popular safari destinations. Choose it for a holiday…

View Tour

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi - Biega National Park was upgraded to national park status in 1970 to safeguard endangered wildlife species and especially the eastern lowland gorillas, Africa's top safari…

View Tour

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park

With the highest number of African elephants in Kenya, Amboseli is a true African wilderness, a vacation to this wildlife center is incomparable and incredibly gratifying, with the…

View Tour

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

Explore Akagera National Park, Rwanda's lone haven for animals, big cats, birds and savanna grassland, which is bordered on one side by Uganda and Tanzania on the other side. Akagera…

View Tour