Also known as Nyungwe Forest National Park, this park is a protected area located in Rwanda’s southwestern region. This is situated a few kilometers from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nyungwe Forest further stretches across the southern border into Burundi. Nyungwe National Park ignites the spirit of adventure with its lush green covering that harbors some of the rarest creatures to walk the earth.
Overview
It is no mystery that Nyungwe National Park hosts a variety of flora and fauna species. With the recent recordings in the park by the government, over 1,100 flora species inhabit this amazing forest. The report also puts the mammal species at approximately 85, while the bird species take the lion’s share among the fauna species, with about 345 nesting in this forest.
Envisioning Nyungwe in the earlier years of its establishment as a national park, it was a forest reserve. This fact was more evident in 1903 when the colonial powers declared Nyungwe a forest reserve. By then, Rwanda and Burundi were still one country called Ruanda-Urundi. Later, after the split in 1922, Rwanda became a nation, and Nyungwe Forest went under its administration.
The year 2004 in Rwanda marks the period when Nyungwe Forest Reserve was officially upgraded into a national park. Its administration and management fell to the government under the governing body, the Rwanda Development Board. For proper management of Nyungwe, the government partnered with the African Parks, a Non-Government Organization. The African Parks took over the management of this park in accordance with the signed agreement for 20 years.
In 2023, Nyungwe National Park was named and recognized as a UNESCO site. This recognition emphasized the park’s value as a biodiverse and ecological site. This means Nyungwe National Park is home to various flora and fauna species. Nyungwe National Park spans across 1,019 square kilometers of lush Afromontane vegetation.
Activities and attractions in Nyungwe National Park.
The capacity of Nyungwe National Park as a popular destination in Rwanda is defined by its range of activities and attractions. Some of the awe-inspiring things to see in Nyungwe National Park include the following.
Primates
At the mention of Nyungwe National Park, one thing comes to mind, and that is primates, specifically chimpanzees. There is no doubt that this park is basically known for chimpanzees. It is the biggest chimpanzee habitat in the country. Adding to the chimps, other primates make up the list in this park. Black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons, among others, are the most common primates in this park. The primates in Nyungwe National Park are the major attraction in the park as they account for the most visitors.
Kamiranzovu waterfalls
The adventures of the park are not tailored on the flora and fauna, but also the physical features. Kamiranzovu waterfalls, nestled deep in the forest canopies of Nyungwe, attract nature lovers and adventurers to the park. The sounds of the waterfall amidst the quiet forest and the melodies of the birds offer a calming sound, offering therapy to the weak spirit.
Birdlife
Another major attraction in Nyungwe National Park is the vast birdlife. Approximately 345 bird species sound the sweet melodies and beautify the skyline by nesting across the vast marsh of Nyungwe. With this large number of birds in the park, Nyungwe National Park is an ideal place for birding.
The park harbors several bird species, including the rare 27 Albertine Rift Valley endemics like Ruwenzori turaco, regal sunbird, Ruwenzori batis, yellow-eyed flycatcher, Grauer’s warbler, Rockefeller’s sunbird, handsome francolin, white-headed woodhoopoe, and Kivu ground thrush, among others.
It also offers a variety of tourist activities. These activities are not just entertaining but also adventurous and exciting to experience. Almost all the activities in Nyungwe are adrenaline-testing as they present a hands-on adventure. Some of these activities include the following.
Chimpanzee trekking
Nyungwe National Park comes in first place as the ultimate chimpanzee trekking destination. The highlight of Nyungwe is chimpanzee trekking, as it is the major tourist activity. This chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity that allows visitors to encounter and spend up to an hour with the chimpanzees in their natural environment. Visitors require a chimpanzee permit to grant them access to the forest to encounter these primates. These permits can be obtained from the Rwanda Development Board through a trusted tour operator like Monteero Safaris.
Guided nature walks
Visitors can venture through Nyungwe National Park for an unmatched guided nature walk to discover its hidden gems. Guided nature walks present visitors with a chance to spot various features like waterfalls and a variety of flora species. These walks offer an in-depth insight into Nyungwe Forest. Several designated trails, each with a history behind it, enable visitors to unpack the forest’s wild tales.
Birding
When it comes to birding, Nyungwe National Park sits at the table of the greats. Over 345 bird species color the skyline with incredible beauty. The park houses both the migratory species seen seasonally and the endemic species that can be sighted all year-round. The park has designated birding trails that lead visitors and birding enthusiasts on an adventure of birds.
Getting to Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park can be accessed by road through driving to the park and by flying by helicopter. Driving from Kigali, the capital, down to Nyungwe National Park lasts about 4-5 hours of uninterrupted driving. However, flying lasts quicker than that about an hour.
The improved road network systems in the country ensure that visitors traveling by road have a seamless experience. The road adventures offer an insight into the country’s scenic beauty of the thousand rolling hills.
The best time to visit Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park is always open for adventure and exploration all year-round. The best varies depending on the activity to do in the park. The dry season presents the most ideal conditions for most activities, like chimpanzee trekking and nature walks. Such conditions of dry weather, facilitated by little or no rainfall, leave the park dry with sparse vegetation. Thus, spotting chimpanzees and other primates becomes easy since there is more visibility.
The wet season, on the other hand, is also good for birding. Nyungwe National Park can also be visited in the wet season. Birding is common during this season because it is the time when bird species are in their breeding season. This presents better chances to spot several bird species.