Nyungwe Forest National Park-Rwanda safari news

Walking on the trails above Nyungwe Forest National Park

Sandwiched in the middle of tea Plantations, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the biggest and probably the most preserved montane rain forest in central Africa. Its situated in south western Rwanda at the border with Burundi to the south and Congo plus Lake Kivu to the west. The forest sits on a watershed between the basin of the river Congo to the west and to the east by the basin of the Nile river. With over a 1000 species of the wild, the forest is referred to by many as the most important biodiversity site for a Rwanda safari. Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in 2004 and sits on a geographical area of approximately 970 km² covered with a rainforest, swamps, rainforest, bamboo and bogs. The park is about 216km from Kigali town on an almost 5hours drive.

What to see and do In Nyungwe Forest National Park

When planning a safari to Rwanda, it’s because of the attractions in the country and here are the different attractions in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

 

Of its kind in East Africa, Nyungwe Forest offers the best “above the trees walk” and the third best in all of Africa. On a Rwanda wildlife safari, this is one of the activities you should not miss out. This canopy walk is undertaken on a suspended bridge 50 meters above the ground for 200m. This can be some crazy heights for some people and up there you have the chance to see the monkeys move around in the tree tops, the birds that are flying above you and below you and a beautiful view of the huge Nyungwe forest. On a safari in Rwanda to volcanoes national Park, tailoring it with a canopy walk is the best way to enjoy the beauty within Rwanda and adding Akagera National Park to the trip could probably get you a 30%discount to your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari permit.

 

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

 

Within this tropical forest are primates inclusive of which are chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking on a wildlife safari in Rwanda is a common activity here as you get up close to man’s closest relatives. There will also be a maximum of over 8 people in your chimpanzee trekking group that sets out to track the chimpanzees. On your trek starting at 8:00am remember to carry a day pack where you have a couple of liters of water, have long trousers, the long-sleeved shirt, rain jacket, hiking boots and a hat. The trek lasts about 2-4hours.

Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National park

With 13 hiking trails, this national park is a hiker’s paradise. You go for over 130 kilometers of the trails through the forest as you explore the ancient rainforest. In case you are in reasonable physical shape you can go for one to eight hours private hike. Hiking in Nyungwe Forest is the time of discovering the primal rain forest with its fairy tale like appearance, its wildlife, birds, primates, plants, flowers, butterflies and the trees.

Birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe forest is indeed an amazing place to visit and for tourists on a Rwanda birding safari don’t miss the almost 300 bird species. 27 of the bird species are Albertine rift species inclusive of which are the Grauer’s Warbler, the Rwenzori Turaco and the large Blue Turaco. The sun birds of many types like the purple breasted and the blue headed sun bird can be found in the flowering trees. There also several primate species in the forest that include monkeys that you can also track.

Even from a Uganda wildlife safari, you can still continue for a trip to Nyungwe forest. So, don’t hesitate to tailor your trip to the park and have an amazing experience.