Discover some of the most exciting activities to enjoy while on vacation in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe National Park is known as Rwanda’s “Lover’s Park” since it offers many intimate pastimes with little outside disturbance.
Best Things To Do on Vacation at Nyungwe Forest National Park
Discover some of the most exciting activities to enjoy while on vacation in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe National Park is known as Rwanda’s “Lover’s Park” since it offers many intimate pastimes with little outside disturbance. This park, with its 1019 square kilometers of woodland, is situated on Rwanda’s southwestern coast.
One of the last remaining virgin forests, Nyungwe National Park is home to over 13 different primate species, including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Angola colobus, silver monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and many more. The main activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park is chimpanzee trekking.
Because of the great diversity of habitats in the forest where they can spend the day and lay nests, 283 different bird species—27 of which are endemic—can enjoy your wonderful moments with you if you’re a passionate bird watcher on vacation.
Several endangered Albertine endemic birds, such as the Mountain Masked Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, Red-Collared Mountain Babbler, Kungwe Apalis, and White Bellied Robin-Chat, to name a few, may be seen in the wild.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimps Trekking
Sharing time with a partner makes hanging out with the chimps even nicer. Sharing your chimpanzee trekking experience in the outdoors while on vacation is amazing. You must obtain the Nyungwe National Park’s chimpanzee trekking permits, which are offered for sale by Rwanda Development Board. Two groups of somewhat habituated chimpanzees reside in Nyungwe National Park.
Although this area is on the fringes of the park and is surrounded by a tea plantation and Eucalyptus trees, some chimpanzees can be seen in Uwinka while others can be found in Cyamudondo. Depending on the conditions in the jungle, the experience of trekking with chimpanzees could last anywhere between two and three hours.
While chimpanzee trekking, you may also have the opportunity to see other native primates, such as olive baboons, Angolan Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, Rwenzori colobus, grey checked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, golden monkeys, and silver monkeys, to name a few. Because of the steep slopes that made it difficult to produce, Cyamudondo’s location protected this chimpanzee community from farmers.
More than 30 chimpanzees like chewing on fruits, soft stalks, and insects as well as another jungle fare. You must attend a briefing at the Gisaku Reception Center where the specific guidelines for chimpanzee trekking are laid out.
It’s intriguing to match the chimps’ pace because they’re still getting used to it. Since they have a semi-wild nature, anticipate speedier movements and some crazy behavior from them. Never venture into the bush without a ranger guide; you need one to accompany you as you hunt for chimps in the forest.
Bird watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a great excursion to experience, and sharing your fantastic moments with them is what makes life so beautiful. The Park is a popular destination for birders due to its location in the Albertine Rifts and forest cover that encourages bird thriving.
The White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Shelley Crimson Wing, Kungwe Apalis, red-collared Mountain Babbler, Rwenzori Turaco, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Malachite Sunbird, Mountain Masked Apalis, Dusky Turtle Dove slender-billed and Starlings, among many others, can all be recognized by taking walks in the forest.
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
A canopy walk across Nyungwe Forest National Park is the most amazing thing ever. A memorable experience while spending some private time on the suspension bridge, which is roughly 91 meters long and 50 meters above the canopy of the Nyungwe forest. This unique moment begins at Uwinka, the administrative center for Nyungwe National Park. It is amazing to stroll from the Igishigishigi route, stopping over the bridge to admire, photograph, and take in the canopy and other highlights for around 90 minutes.
Many birds enjoy strutting their stuff for anyone observing from the bridge. Almost every minute, they appear from within the dense leaves. Even though they fly quickly, knowledgeable birders can tell which species they are by the sounds they make and the colors of their feathers.
Nature trail hike
On a 4-hour, 3-day journey, you may take in the serene natural surroundings Nyungwe National Park has to offer. The 130 km of hiking paths in the forest include the most strenuous Imbaraga, Congo Nile, and Igishigishigi trails. To fully appreciate the time spent in the forest and preserve the memories, you must get ready with your hiking equipment. A camera, some hiking shoes, some energy bars, some binoculars, and many more things.
A variety of rivers pass through the forest, some of which produce stunning waterfalls, making it a water catchment area. The most notable waterfall is called Kamiranzovu Waterfall, which in the local language means “eating an elephant.” The Kamiranzovu Swamp, which feeds the falls, is where they get their name. The waterfalls at the end of a nature hike are stunning to see.
Camping at Nyungwe Forest National Park
Camping in Nyungwe National Park is the best way to have this experience because you will be sleeping under the stars. It is worthwhile to include staying in a remote location and listening to the sounds of the jungle while camping in Nyungwe National Park on your list of things to do.
A camping area is available at the Uwinka Visitor Center where you may set up your tent, fall asleep to the sounds of nature, and wake up to the sounds of the forest. In the evening, enjoy a bonfire from the campfire. This location provides toilets, toilet facilities, and a conveniently available wooden platform where the tent can be pitched.
How to travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park
By Vehicle
From the airport in Kigali, it takes around 5 hours to drive to Nyungwe National Park. You can make optional stops along the way. Some of these are the Gikongoro Genocide Memorial, the National Museum, the Arboretum, the National Museum, and so many others. The former monarch of Rwanda lived in the Nyinza Palace in Nyabisindu.
By Flight
Rwanda Air provided charter flights from the airport in Kigali to Nyungwe National Park upon request and in advance reservation.
Which lodges are best to reserve while traveling to Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The hotel you stay at while on vacation says a lot about how you felt about the place. You need some comfort to wind down and relax from every moment, but on a budget that is within your means.
In Nyungwe National Park, there are several options for places to stay overnight, including luxury accommodations, moderately priced accommodations, and budget accommodations.
Choose from among the following accommodations, just to name: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisaku Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, and Gisaku Family Hostel.
Which Season Is Best for Vacations in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The Nyungwe National Park is open with a variety of activities that will rekindle your love no matter what time you plan on taking your holiday. Primates and forest birds are more active during the dry months of June to September and December to January. Newborns are often abundant in the Wet months of March through May and November, although many of them are kept hidden from potential predators.
What to Bring on a Safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
§ Since your feet need to be protected from harsh environments, hiking boots are safe for traveling in the jungle.
§ To protect your skin from stinging insects that buzz around the forest, use insect repellants.
§ Garden gloves because they protect your hands from the harsh and abrasive creepers in the bush, but you might strip off and stumble.
§ Water container to carry water in while out in the bush to quench thirst.
§ If it rains while you are in the wilderness, bring a poncho or raincoat.
§ With a pair of binoculars, you may see chimpanzees, birds, treetops, and a whole host of other creatures that the forest is proud to be home to.
§ You will feel comfortable wearing long sleeve shirts and pants in khaki or other colors that go well with the outdoors.
§ Nyungwe National Park’s somewhat cold climate is not an exception to Rwanda’s overall coldness. To have fun at Nyungwe National Park, you must have the appropriate equipment packed. Your vacation memories won’t be made if you spend the entire time inside.
§ Just to be prepared, pack some toiletries in case your hotel doesn’t give
§ A camera that you can use to capture memories of your time spent on vacation at Nyungwe National Park.
§ A little, water-resistant bag to keep everything you own together and prevent it from being lost in the forest.
What Should I Do and Not Do in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
§ Avoid eating or smoking before the chimpanzees. You might not be aware of what would occur if they consumed human goodies.
§ Never give the chimpanzees food because they are wild animals and need to fend for themselves. Feeding develops a reliance on human provision gradually.
§ Keep your distance from the chimpanzees and avoid surrounding them; otherwise, they may feel threatened.
§ Although it may occasionally occur as a reflex movement, sneezing and coughing should always be done away from chimpanzees since you never know what infections you might spread to them.
§ Be kind to the environment since it provides food for chimpanzees and other monkeys. Birds also love vegetation, so do not discard any wrappers or other trash. The Rwandan government actively encourages ecotourism, and it is illegal to do otherwise.
§ It is only permitted to spend an hour with the chimpanzees so they can be left alone to feed.
§ For lengthy calls, request that your ranger guide dig a trench around 30 meters deep, then thoroughly cover everything.
§ Because the foliage is the chimpanzees’ and birds’ primary food source, refrain from indiscriminately spitting on it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dav Safaris, We are local tour operators with a thorough understanding of all tour options in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. As a result, we tailor our tour itineraries – Tour packages to fit your interests and financial constraints using our local knowledge of the area. We are glad to claim that a key element of our safaris is our team of expert staff and guides who are knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and history of East African countries – Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
