Probably the best-preserved forest in Africa is Nyungwe Forest. Given that it is home to more than a thousand different species of creation, some claim it to be Rwanda’s most significant site for biodiversity. Nyungwe Forest National Park spans an approximate 970 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, wetlands, and bogs. The closest town is 54 km to the west, in Cyangugu. There is Mount Bigugu inside the park boundaries. A popular destination for travellers on safari in Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest boasts an expansive, unspoiled tropical rainforest with a dense, tall canopy. Nyungwe Forest, which is undoubtedly deserving of its designation due to its amazing biodiversity, was designated as a National Park in 2004 as Rwanda attempted to expand its tourism beyond the country’s mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park. It’s the kind of experience you should aim for when visiting Nyungwe Forest Park, and there are a lot of things to do and see here. However, to get the most of your safari time, you must prepare ahead for the activities and sights. In addition, there are over 300 distinct species of birds, several orchids, butterflies, and 75 species of mammals, including 13 species of primates. Golden monkeys have also been reported to be sighted. With its countless natural wonders, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a must-see destination for anybody visiting Rwanda. It is also a key component in the country’s mountain gorilla tracking itinerary.
Tourist Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee Tracking
Without having to travel far, Nyungwe Forest National Park is an excellent place to combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Trekking with chimpanzees also begins in the morning, so it’s important to pack a day pack with a few litres of water, long pants, a long sleeve shirt, a rain jacket, hiking boots and a cap. A maximum of eight persons will be included in your group when you go in search of the chimpanzees. The chimps in Nyungwe Forest are habituated, or accustomed to humans, and they are still doing so. Many people go tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park to see chimpanzees during their play.
Isumo Waterfalls
The journey to Isumo waterfalls usually takes about four hours, and during that time you will travel through verdant tea farms where you may see lots of people gathering tea leaves while the sun shines on the undulating hills surrounding you, highlighting the green tea trees. The Kinyarwanda word for “Isumo” means “waterfalls.” Measuring about 17 metres high, the Isumo waterfall is even more impressive when you consider the force with which it bursts through a small opening into a breathtaking amphitheatre that is surrounded by lianas, flowers and fluttering fern fronds that are all flourishing in the mist zone of the fall. As you get closer to the riverbed, you can see that the water is an unusually clear dark brown, almost exactly like Coke. The main waterfall was visible. Image of the Isumo waterfall path in Rwanda: Rapids below the main waterfall, which is located around the bend. Many animals are drawn to the Isumo waterfalls, and those who are fortunate enough to see primates such as blue, white, and black monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and many species of water birds, butter flies, are frequently spotted here.
Canopy Walk Experience
Not to be missed while visiting Rwanda, this canopy walk is the first treetop forest canopy walk in East Africa and the third in all of Africa. If your purpose for visiting Rwanda is to embark on a mountain gorilla climb, you can extend your safari schedule by a few days to include a visit to Nyungwe forest and the opportunity to do a canopy walk. You may witness monkeys moving around in the treetops, birds flying overhead and below, and a stunning perspective of the vast Nyungwe forest from this 50-meter canopy walk, which may also be disorienting for certain individuals. It’s a truly breathtaking sight. Even though this canopy walk is only 90 metres long, it takes place 50 metres above the ground, so it’s not a very great journey.
Bird Watching
Of the 300 bird species present in Nyungwe Forest, 27 are endemic species, meaning they belong to the same family as birds found in Albertine Rift forests. For instance, the Rwenzori and huge blue turacos, as well as the Grauer’s Warbler, an endemic of the Albertine Rift, can be found in mountain swamps such as the Kamiranzovu in Nyungwe Forest. Many varieties of sunbirds, including the blue-headed and purple-breasted varieties, can be found in flowering trees. In addition to being a birder’s dream, Nyungwe Forest offers a variety of other sights to behold while your birding walks, such as orchids and primates.
Monkey Tracking
Furthermore, Nyungwe Forest is home to more than 13 different species of primates. There have also been unsubstantiated reports of sightings of the golden monkeys. In addition to trekking with chimpanzees, Nyungwe Forest offers trekking opportunities with the grey-cheeked Mangabeys and Ruwenzori Colobus Monkeys. Large groups of these monkeys, consisting of up to 300 Colobus monkeys, are also visible. Along the way, it’s possible that you’ll spot a few other monkeys if you follow any of the primate group. L’Hoest’s monkey, the Owl-faced monkeys, the Mona monkey, and the blue monkeys are a few such examples. You may walk chimpanzees, gray-cheeked, and Colobus monkeys in the old forest, which is also home to primates.
Forest Hiking Trails
In Nyungwe Forest National Park, more than 130 kilometres of hiking trails have been established, enabling tourists to discover the park’s interior and its intriguing ecosystems. Nyungwe has great walking paths that may be completed in one to eight hours. The aptly titled Igishigishigi Trail is among the shorter hikes, but it has the tallest canopy walk in East Africa, offering breathtaking views over Nyungwe Forest. Alternatively, the 6-hour Bigugu Trail takes you to the highest mountain in the park, which is 2950 metres high.
Best time to visit Nyungwe National Park
It is recommended that visitors interested in tracking primates visit Nyungwe Forest during the rainy season. Primates do not travel great distances in search of food during the wet season because there is always an abundance of food available to them everywhere. Visitors who wish to engage in canopy walks or nature walks should visit the National Park in the dry season, when there is less chance of rain interfering with planned tourist activities.