Things to do in Nyungwe National Park

Things to do in Nyungwe National Park are the different interesting wonders that attract travelers to visit this park to spice up their safari in Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest is one of the oldest protected natural forests in Africa.  The forest lies in the southwestern part of Rwanda bordering Burundi and DRC.

This vibrant paradigm of nature and beauty sits on a coverage of over 1019 square kilometres with the park as the main area of interest. Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the three major national parks in Rwanda comprising unique tree species, savannah grasslands swamps, and a variety of animal species mainly the primates. More to that, the park is a habitat for birds, mammals, butterflies, and reptiles all of which contribute to the rich ecological system of the park.

There are different activities that many travelers opt for while on their Rwanda safari and these include

 Chimpanzee tracking

This is the main sought-after activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park. the park is home to about 400 individuals of chimpanzees, but with only two habituated groups. The groups were found in the Uwinka and Chaudongo sectors of the park.  The largest group of chimpanzees is found in Chamudongo’s fragmented forest. Chimpanzee tracking is a strenuous but rewarding activity that requires one to be physically fit. Chimpanzees are mobile primates that you need to follow in the thick forest. If you get a chance to find them resting or feeding, then it’s a great chance.

Chimpanzee tracking starts at Uwinka Park Center or Gisakura or Katabi with a briefing on the guidelines of the tracking activity. Visitors are accompanied by experienced guides and trackers who help locate these endangered primates. The trek lasts from 2-6 hours depending on how quickly you can locate the chimps. When you find them, you are allowed to spend one hour in their presence watching them playing and jumping on tree branches. You will observe that they behave like humans as they share human DNA 98%.

For the best experience, trekkers should come with long-sleeved shirts, trousers, good hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, a hat, a walking stick, and a camera or binoculars.  You are also advised to carry enough drinking water and snacks to keep you strong as you trek and hiring a porter is also recommended to help you carry your luggage.

According to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a chimpanzee tracking permit goes for $250 per person per single trek, and the age limit for trekking chimps is 15 years.

Monkey tracking

Apart from chimpanzees, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a good spot for small primates. As you gob for Chimpanzee tracking or guided nature walks, you will easily spot other primates like  Moona monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, silver monkeys and L’Hoest monkeys among others. Golden monkeys have also been spotted  in the park though they are still small in numbers.

 Canopy walk

The canopy walk is a thrilling adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park and nature lovers should not miss out on a visit to Rwanda.  Though several activities are carried out in this park, the canopy walk makes you feel great as you explore the natural wilderness. The canopy walk offers a chance to see at eye-level wildlife that live in the forest canopies but are not easily seen from the ground such as monkeys and birds. The canopy is suspended 45 meters from the ground and the walkway is 160 meters long and walking takes 2 hours.

The minimum age for canopy walk is 6 years but children must be accompanied by an adult.  The cost of a canopy walk permit is $45 for international visitors, $20 for foreign residents, and $ 5 for Rwandan, and East African citizens.

Ground Nature Walks

For those who fear walking at high canopy heights, they often opt for ground nature walks. Nature walks are always done along the forest hiking trails. Some of the trails are long while others are short. Most of them take 5-8 hours. Nature walks allow you to explore the park on foot as you get closer to nature with the guidance of a game guide. This guide will help provide information about the plant species, animals, insects, and birds you come across as you traverse the park’s jungles.

Some of the nature trails include the Congo Nile trail, Isumo Water trail, Buhoro trail, Igishigishigi walk trail, Imbaraga walk trail, and Kamiranzovu walk trail among others.

Birding

For nature lovers interested in birds, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the best place. The park has over 300 bird species of which 27 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift.  Some of the bird species that can be sighted in this park include the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori batis, yellow-eyed blackfly catcher, Congo bay owlet, Handsome Francolin, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Rwenzori Night jar, Barred long-tailed cuckoo, and Lagden’s Bush Shrike among others. Since some bird species are found in specific areas of the park, birders need to book earlier with RDB at a cost of $50 and should also walk with a birding guide for a successful adventure.

 Biking

Bicycle riding is one of the newly introduced experiences in Nyungwe National Park. this is another way of exploring the park and its surroundings. This activity is always conducted on request by visitors who opt to stay at One &Only Nyungwe House.

Riding around the forest with an expert guide is fun and an opportunity to meet some special primates like chimpanzees, monkeys, and other wildlife.

Visit Gisakura Tea plantation

As you drive through the rolling valleys and hills of Rwanda from Kigali to Nyungwe, you will spot tea plantations. The Gisakura tea plantation is one of the large tea estates visitors do as part of their safari.

A visit to the plantation is an opportunity to interact with the local community, take a walk in the tea fields, engage in tea harvesting, and learn the processes of tea production starting from growing, harvesting, and processing. At the end of the visit, you can join the locals for a cup of tea as you enjoy the striking views of the plantation on the hills. It is a wonderful moment during travel.

 Community visits

Visiting the community close to the park is another complimentary activity for primate tracking, canopy walk, birding, and guided nature walks. Banda Village is one of the most frequented places around Nyungwe National Park. the locals in this village present inspiring entertainment through dances and other traditional practices.

Other places to visit around the park include Changugu town located on the northern margin of Lake Kivu and is the capital of Rusizi district. In Changugu, you will find the popular Mashesha hot springs, and you can also enjoy boat rides and swimming on Lake Kivu.

Kamembe town is another place you can visit from Nyungwe National Park. This place is a perfect connection to Congo using air transport and it’s the starting point of the Congo Nile trail.

Bisesero village is another community area close to the park with a rich historical background and a genocide memorial site.

 Best time to visit Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a place that can be visited at any time of the year. The dry season from December to February and June to September is very favorable for activities like canopy walks, primate trekking, nature walks, and community visits.  This is because the tracking trails are dry and easy thus limited interruptions in the adventure. The wet season is also best for those interested in birding experiences as it is the breeding time for birds and many migratory birds flock to the park. Tracking primates is also easier as they don’t move into deep jungles to search for food.  Therefore, visiting the park depends on the travelers’ choice of activity.

However, all travelers must bear in mind that Nyungwe Forest National Park is a tropical rain forest where rain pours are expected at any time of the year therefore advised to carry waterproof jackets as they are coming for their trip.