Nyugwe Forest National Park
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Nyugwe Forest National Park
Highlights
- Enjoy The Nature And Beauty Of Africa.
- Spend Quality Time With Your Loved Ones.
- Make Memories For Life Time.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest remaining tract of montane rain forest with in East Africa; Nyungwe extends for 1,015km over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, forming a contiguous forest block with Burundi’s 370km Kibira National Park. The park is the most vital catchment area in Rwanda supplying water to 70% of the country, and its central ridge divides Africa’s two largest drainage systems, the Nile and the Congo, a spring on the slopes of the 2,950m MountBigugu which is regarded to be the most remote source of the world’s longest River. Nyungwe is a great rich center of biodiversity. It has more than 1,050 plant species, 250 Albertine Rift Endemics and 200 orchids, along with 120 butterfly species. The vertebrate fauna include here includes 32 amphibians, 85 mammals, 38b reptiles, and 310 bird species of which 15% are Albertine Rift endemics.
The Nyungwe primates are the main attraction and 13 species are present including chimpanzees with a population estimated at 500-1000 which is usually tracked at a short notice or even the sound they usually make in the jungle and many other monkeys seen including; L’Hoest’s monkey and acrobatic Ruwenzori colobus. Nyungwe is highly appealing to birders, botanist and keen walkers, with its 130 network of walking trails and the only sight for the canopy walk.
Chimpanzee trekking
Nyungwe is home to 13 species of primates and the park is the only destination in Rwanda that offers chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee tracking starts in the morning and its best to carry a day pack where you have a couple of liters of water, long trousers, rain jacket, long sleeved shirt, the hat and the hiking boots. Chimpanzees at the park are being habituated which means they are used to human beings. Chimpanzee tracking is although more hit and miss than gorilla tracking with in the Virungas, partly because these are smaller and sedentary apes that are usually found either feeding high in the trees or moving swiftly along the ground.
Canopy Walk
Adjourned between higher slopes and giant trees about 1km from Uwinka, the metallic walkway is almost 200m long, with maximum height of around 40 meters and it offers a superb for birders and over a steep stream bed lined with the tall trees and fern. It can feel quite unstable to those with poor head for the heights. The walk is an activity not to be missed in Rwanda. You are to view lots of primate species, including monkeys, chimpanzees as well as bird species.
Bird watching
Nyungwe Forest has got 310 bird species 27 of which are Albertine Rift endemics part of the species that are established in the forests of the Albertine Rift endemics, of which three are unregistered elsewhere on the eastern side of the Albertine rift. Bird watching at Nyungwe is good since the vegetation is good for birds and many birds are seen at the canopy. Of the 27 Albertine Rift endemics found in Nyungwe Forest National Park including; the Rwenzori Turaco, handsome francolin, red faced woodland warbler, yellow eyed black flycatcher, Ruwenzori batis, and the regal sunbird.
Monkey Tracking
Nyungwe National Park is home to trek Ruwenzori colobus, grey cheeked Mangabeys, Owl faced monkey,L’Hoest Monkey, Mona Monkeys, Silver Monkey, Dent’s monkey. It’s a mystical experience to come across a forest covered with colobus monkeys with their black and white colors.
Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is the perfect park for hiking, with varied selection of walking prospects and other expeditions.
Bigugu Trail.
This trail takes you through astonishing views of Lake Kivu and the hills of DRC. The birders come here to see the localized red collared mountain babbler and the area also boosts some wonderful wildflowers, that range from red hot pokers and the orchids to giant lobelias.
The Ngabwe Trail
The trail is set on the slopes of Nyabwe near the park’s eastern boundary, this new trail is circular and it’s the only straightforward option that is open to people staying at the KCCEM guest house without their own transport, since the trail head lies about 200m down a side road on the left of the main road only 3km past Kitabi entrance gate. The trail is ideal for camping.
Kamiranzovu trail
This trail leads you from the forested main road downhill to the relatively low lying Kamiranzovu, this trail is the park’s largest swamp that is set with in a caldera like depression.
Karamba Trail;
This is one of the easiest trail in Nyungwe and the best for bird watching. The absence of big trees is largely because of human disturbance, first as gold mine and market.
The Isumo Trail;
This is a great trail that starts at the Gisakura Tea Plantations and to the largest waterfall in Nyungwe Forest National Park