One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Nyungwe is a wonderful option for visitors wanting to see some of Rwanda’s spectacular endemics, its 13 primate species, and of course, to experience a chimpanzee trek to view one of its semi-habituated troops. It is also a place of active adventure, with hiking and cycling trails, exciting Canopy Walkway, and the enchanting Ndambarare and Kamiranozu waterfalls.
Nyungwe is also a birder’s paradise with around 300 recorded species, 30 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift region.
ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY IN NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
The Canopy Walk
Nyungwe Forest sits on 1,015sq km and is today, the largest remaining area of Tropical Afro Montane rainforest in East Africa. The canopy walk is in essence, a 2 hour stroll on a 200meters long trail 50 meters above the forest cover and one of the most exhilarating activities to do at Nyungwe Forest National Park. The view at the top gives you the eagle’s eye experience; panoramic views that a hike on ground would not offer. For safety reasons, children below the age of 6 years are not allowed to participate in the canopy walk.
Chimpanzee trekking
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to 25% of Africa’s total primate species. The chimpanzee population here is only second to that of Uganda’s Kibale National Park. It should be noted that while there are so many trails you can hike along to see the chimpanzees, you may have to veer off the beaten paths into the forest albeit with the guide’s help. The rewarding sight after the hike is often comprised of acrobatic chimpanzees swinging on tree branches, mother chimps cuddling baby chimps and more sights that will not only surprise you but warm your heart.
This thrilling chimpanzee trekking experience starts at 5am which implies that you should be up earlier. Each trekking group can only have a maximum of 8 members. Nyungwe Forest is a rainforest with a slippery terrain that will require sturdy hiking shoes, a rain poncho in the likely event of a downpour, long sleeved thick shirts for the cold weather, long trousers to protect you from the long creeping undergrowth if you happen to go off the beaten path and binoculars for a better view of the chimps should you find them high up in the trees.
The Nyungwe Forest Bird walk
Nyungwe Forest is among the Top birding destinations in Rwanda with over 310 bird species. From the Albertine Rift endemics to the Forest endemics there are numerous species to set your eyes upon. The best yet rarest ones to see are the Great Blue Turaco, the Re-Throated Alethe, the Paradise Flycatcher and the Gigantic Forest Hornbill. The bonus views include the purple breasted and the blue headed sunbird, the Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Green Pigeons, Ross’s Turaco, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, White Headed Wood Hoopoe, Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Ruwenzori Batis, Stripe-Breasted Tit and the Regal Sunbird.
There are several trails in the park upon which you can hike to see the birds. The more trails you hike, the more birds you are likely to see. Due to the forested terrain of the park, it may be hard to easily find certain species. Because of this, it is better to go with a guide who by experience can point you to a bird that he or she will have identified merely by its call.
Hiking at the forest
If you thrive on walks and take pleasure in a good hike, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the place for you. The park has a total of 13 different hiking trails along which you can walk for 1 to 8 hours viewing a multitude of plant, tree, bird, primate and butterfly species of all sorts. Igishigishigi Trail is the shortest trail along which you also find the canopy walk; another adrenaline-charged experience. The longest trail at Nyungwe Forest National Park on the other hand is the Bigugu Trail upon which a hike can take up to 8 hours. Each trail offers its own diverse wildlife experience showing you species that are predominantly found in this particular trail. Visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park specifically for a Hiking Safari is an idea worth considering because it takes days to finish all the 13 trails.
Colobus Monkey Trekking
There are 13 primate species at Nyungwe Forest of which more than half of these are monkey species. Some of the monkeys are endemic to this region and among these is the Rwenzori Colubus Monkey. A hike along one of the 13 hiking trails in Nyungwe will usher you into the world of the Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Owl Faced Monkeys, Blue-Monkeys and Mona Monkeys. Further into to the forest and off the beaten track of the trails and accompanied by a guide you can chance upon a group of up to 200 Rwenzori Colubus Monkeys all at once which is a sight like no other.
Kamiranzovu Waterfall
This beautiful waterfall lies within the Nyungwe Forest National Park, southwest of Rwanda. This conservancy area is very famous as the furthest source of the mighty River Nile. For most tourists on safari to Nyungwe Forest, this is one of the most sought after tourist sites.
Besides primate adventures at this forested protected area, a hike to this waterfall equally rewards travel endeavours with thrilling experiences. What is interesting about this waterfall is that it comes with two (2) major parts the lower section which lies on huge rocks with a spectacular spot for you to take incredible photographs and the other section that lies in front of it.
Its lower part drops at 50 meters making a permanent mist and the second section makes up a pool of water that reflects the green vegetation.
The speed of this waterfall in most cases is dependent on how much rainfall is received and usually can be intense when it receives 2000 mm but this is the season a fact that this can occur within the 9 months in a year.
Conclusively, for adventure enthusiasts on Rwanda safari Kamiranzovu waterfall is that one amazing spot you need not miss to explore for thrilling and unforgettable experiences of a lifetime.
