Nyungwe Forest National Park Rwanda
Chimpanzee Trekking, Canopy walk tour, Nature Walks, Birding, Community Experience, Tea tour, Holidays in Nyungwe Forest National Park Rwanda
Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda is where the largest montane forest East and Central Africa is found. The heart of Nyungwe Forest is like a scene from a fairy tale. Tall old mahoganies, ebonies and giant tree ferns tower above you, whilst orchids and another epiphytes cling to every branch. Brightly colored birds flit around; butterflies are everywhere, including a variety of primates for which Nyungwe National Park is renowned.
Nyungwe forest national park is one of the few remaining tropical mountainous rain forests in Africa located in south western part of Rwanda. The Nyungwe forest is a home to about 13 primate species which include habituated Chimpanzees, Rare Angolan colobus monkey, l’hoest monkey, owl faced, baboons, red tailed monkeys among others which are always visited on foot. Some of them being rare this range.
Besides primates the forest is rich in terms of bird life with excellent opportunities to see variety of fascinating bird species some of them being endemic to the Albertine rift region hosting around 310 bird species. Besides these visitors are open to nature walks to see waterfalls, Forest canopy walk, as well as enjoying culture of people who stay adjacent to this forest
Nyungwe Forest National Park is found in the South Western part of Rwanda. It is bordered by the Rwanda-Burundi border in the South. Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo lie on the west side of the park.
It covers an area about 1020 sq.km and has an elevation of 1600-2950m above sea level. This vast unspoilt rain forest receives an annual 2000mm of rain.
Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest
Wildlife is the main reason most people make trips to national parks and Nyungwe definitely satisfies that qualification. The park is home to about 85 mammals, 13 primate species, over 280 bird species, some of them endemic to the region, over 1060 plant species, 32 amphibians, 38 reptiles and various species of butterflies. This nature hub is quite rich with all things natural and colorful.
The most sought after primate in the park is the chimpanzee, but there are several monkeys including the rare and elusive golden monkey. Other primates include the olive baboon, red-tailed monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’hoest’s monkey, owl faced monkey, the Angola Colobus and a few more. Other animals in he park include; golden cats, the fronted duiker, golden cats and others.
Birds and Birding in Nyungwe Forest national park
Nyungwe forest has quite the variety of bird life. With more than 280 different bird species, 27 of these birds are endemic to the Albertine Rift valley. It is a worthwhile place to visit for any bird watcher.
Bird life International declared the the park “the most important site for biodiversity conservation in Rwanda”. Some of the birds you might catch sight of in Nyungwe include: Giant horn bills, great blue turacos and red-breasted sparrow hawks. The blue Turaco is the birding highlight here. chimpanzees, monkeys, butterflies, exotic plants and trees, an exciting canopy walk high up in the air, breathtaking scenery.
What’s not to like? Nyungwe Forest National Park is found on Rwanda’s border with Tanzania at a somewhat lower altitude although it is more hilly compared to the majority of national parks in countries neighboring Rwanda. This park is innovatively carved with a maze of swamps which flow into River Nyungwe Forest.
The park is found 4-5 hours from Kigali in the western Rwanda province. Most of the road is paved until you drive to the park gate. Nyungwe National Park was in fact named after the beautiful river Nyungwe which flows down the eastern boundary of the park. Nyungwe Forest Park is Rwanda’s most prominent reserve.
