The 5 Unique Things to Do at Nyungwe Forest National Park

What to do at Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a perfect gem of the African tropical rainforests. It is one of the oldest ecosystems believed to have existed from the Ice Age era, covering an area of approximately 1,019 square kilometres, extending to Burundi’s Kibira National Park southwest of Rwanda. The conservation area is well known for the chimpanzee, presenting an opportunity to do chimpanzee tracking in the country. It is also famous for the canopy walk, where visitors have the chance to hike on a suspended bridge in the forest while enjoying the great views of the Forest. The park was established in 2004 as a way of protecting the endangered species living here.

There are around 85 mammal species present in the park together with 13 primate species for example chimpanzee, mona dents monkeys, red tailed monkeys, owl faced monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, bush babies, grey checked mangabey to mention a few and over 300 species of birds, 27 of which are endemics of the great Albertine rift valley region.

What to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park includes chimpanzee tracking, this is the main activity and most sought after when guests think of Nyungwe, there are about 500 individuals living in the biodiverse ecosystem, the tracking starts at the Uwinka visitor center with a briefing from the park rangers on how to conduct your self while with the primates and in groups of 6, guests are led into the forest, it takes 2-3 hours through the well maintained trail to find the chimps and an hour is allowed to interact, take pictures and enjoy them go on with their day to day duties. The chimpanzee has been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA; they are characterised by their social behaviour, intelligence, and are vocal. Two groups of chimpanzees have been habituated, one at Uwinka and the other at Cyamudongo.

Canopy walk is the fame of Nyungwe Forest National Park, it is essentially a guided tour on a one hour trek along a 200 meter trail hanging over 50 meters above the forest canopy, it is an exciting experience offering great sites of the forest below and above, several bird encounter and primates that may seem difficult to spot in the forest for example mona dents monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys to mention a few.

Nyungwe Forest National Park offers incredible birding experiences it is home to more than 300 birds, some of which are endemics of the Albertine rift valley region, notable species include the      Ruwenzori Turaco, collared babbler, Grauer’s swamp warbler, purple breasted sun birds, Regal sunbird, handsome spurfowl, the trails of the forest allow for the activity to be perfectly executed, birding is an all day experience led by experienced guided who are also birders.

Guided nature walks and water fall hikes, the park is incredibly gifted, one of the main activities of the park, the trails lead guests to scenic views of the old forest, for example the Uwinka trail a perfect location for birds, Kamiranzovu Marsh, Bigugu trail, Igishigishgi trail, during the walk expect to see birds, primates for example the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys to mention a few. The walks through the forest lead to angelic, eye-catching waterfalls.

Colobus monkey tracking is a unique experience of the park, there are large troops of this species of primates that will interest you, imagine watching 100’s of animals all tucked in white and black! There are habituated troops near Uwinka and Gisakura. With the lead of an experienced guide, you will be led into the forest, upon meeting them, an hour is allowed to watch, take pictures, and enjoy the forest.