Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the largest and oldest natural rainforests in Rwanda and is one of the major places that have helped to promote Rwanda’s tourism industry. The park has its headquarters at Uwinka. The forest park started as a reserve in 1903 and later became a park in 2004. It covers over 1000 square kilometers, lying at an elevation of 160 – 2590 meters above sea level, and receives over 2000 mm of rainfall per year.
Nyungwe forest is found in the southwestern region of Rwanda close to the Burundi border south of Lake Kivu, west of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is found in the Rusizi district and is part of the western Great Rift Valley and feeds two of the world’s largest rivers, the Nile and Congo. The forest park comprises dense afro-montane forests, bamboo forests, vast savanna grasslands, and swamps.
Nyungwe Forest National Park was highlighted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its outstanding biodiversity and ecological values. The forest harbors a higher number of Albertine endemic species than any other forest in the same region. Besides the amazing landscape, Nyungwe Forest has diverse fauna and flora. Nyungwe forest has over 1068 plant species, 85 mammal species, and 13 primate species with chimpanzees making the largest number, over 300 bird species of which 29 species are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
While on a trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park, you will fully catch sight of Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest lake, The Virunga ranges, Isumo waterfalls, and large tea plantations at the margins of the park.
Attractions in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is an ideal vacation destination for nature lovers and adventurers. After a long drive of about six hours from Kigali, the forest park has different attractions one should not miss, and these include
A primate species.
Nyungwe Forest Park is blessed with over 13 primate species that have always made it a recognized tourism destination that one should not miss out on a visit to Rwanda. These unique primates live in the thick rainforest and can be spotted on different occasions as you carry out any activity in the park.
The most common primate species in this park are chimpanzees. Other primates that can be encountered include golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Angolan Colobus monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, and bush babies.
Bird species
Nyungwe National Park is home to over 300 bird species including 27 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift, thus rendering it a bird watchers paradise. On a birding safari in this forest park, look out for birds like the Great Blue Turaco, Doherty’s Bush Shrike, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Long Tailed Cuckoo, Handsome Francolin, Purple-throated Sunbird, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Rwenzori Collared warbler, Rwenzori Night jar, White Bellied robin Chat, dusky crimson wing, Rwenzori batis, Red-throated alethe, paradise flycatcher and collared Apalis among others.
The Canopy Walk
The canopy is a metallic suspended bridge that was constructed 70 m high above the forest. The walkway is 160 meters long and a guided walk on the bridge takes 2 hours. People 6 years and above are allowed to use the way. Walking along the canopy is so exhilarating and gives a bird’s eye view of the forest. As you move along the canopy, expect to see various bird, animal, and plant species found in the forest.
Ground nature walks (hiking)
If one can’t go for a canopy walk, alternatively the ground nature walks are always carried out in Nyungwe Forest National Park. the park has different nature trails that take you through the park to different interesting attractions in the park. some of the trails include the Igishigishigi trail, the Bigugu trail, the Isumo waterfall trail, the Kamiranzovu trail, and the Congo-Nile trail among others. By the end of the nature walk along any of the trails, you will have discovered and explored all the contents of the park.
Plant species
As a highly recognized tropical natural forest, Nyungwe is a habitat for over 1068 plant species that are found in the different vegetation zones. Among the plants in the forest park are 68 endemics such as the Talenna Rwandese and orchid stand that cover over 66%of the Rwanda orchid. The alpine vegetation is dominated by bamboo and shrubs. Other plant species include Mahogany, Miliantus holistic, and giant lobelia, among others.
These plants have a great impact on the existence of the park as they help to regulate the weather conditions ( through rainfall formation) in the park and the surrounding areas, they act as home to the different bird and animal species and are a good source of firewood for the people living in the outskirts of the park.
Mammal species
Nyungwe National Park is not only home to primates but also many mammals that find refuge in the park’s jungles. Some of the mammals in in this park include giant forest hogs, duikers, leopards, golden cats, jackals, and serval cats among others.
Gisakura Tea Plantation
The vibrant green tea plantations on the western edge of Nyungwe National Park. visit this place for knowledge about tea processing, production, and tasting Rwandan coffee. Get to interact with the locals as they pick, collect, and grade the tea. These people are so friendly and welcoming.
How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is in the southwestern part of Rwanda bordering Burundi and DRC near Cyangugu town. Getting to Nyungwe National Park is 266 km from Kigali City which takes 5 5-hour drive.
It is safe to use road transport to this park as the road connecting from Kigali is well-tarmacked. You only need to choose which vehicle suits your standards. You can use a privately hired car from tour operators or board a bus from Nyabugogo bus park in Kigali to Nyungwe.