What to do in Nyungwe Forest: Nyungwe Forest National Park is 1,015sq kilometers of land with 85 mammals, including 310 bird species, 1,050 different types of plants, 120 butterflies, and 38 reptile species. Nyungwe Forest National Park, It is about 5 hours’ drive from Kigali city to Nyungwe forest, this drive takes you through tea plantation and villages as you get to the Southwestern part of Rwanda where the Nyungwe is located. Below is among the top things to do in the Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Chimpanzee tracking
chimpanzee tracking is one of the main activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park, apart from the chimps; this forest is home to over 25% of Africa’s primate species. Nyungwe forest is the second to Kibale Forest National Park is having the highest number of primates in the world. The two parks are the only place where you have a 100% chance of seeing the chimpanzees in big number, trekking is done in the beaten paths into the deep forest albeit, with the help of the park ranger guides, chimpanzee tracking is a rewarding sight after the hike is often comprised of acrobatic baby chimpanzees swinging in tree branches.
The thrilling of chimpanzee tracking in the Kibale forest in Uganda is done two times a day first one starts at 8:00 AM in the morning and the second one starts at 2:00 PM in the afternoon while chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe is only done once a day and it starts at 5:00 am which means that you should be up very early.
Only 12 people are allowed to trek each chimpanzee troop in Nyungwe Forest or in Kibale forest, trekking in both rainforests takes you through slippery terrain which requires good hiking shoes, waterproof close in case it rains, it is also recommended to have long-sleeved shirts and long trousers because it can be cold in the morning and in the evening.
The Canopy Walk
The canopy walk is one of the primary activity in Nyungwe Forest, Nyungwe is also one of the largest remaining Tropical rainforests in East Africa. The canopy walk in Nyungwe forest is 200meters long trail 50 meters above the forest cover of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Viewing the Nyungwe from the top of the canopy walk gives you the best experience.
Bird watching
Nyungwe Forest is one of the best bird-watching destinations in Rwanda and East Africa, Nyungwe forest has over 310 bird species, among them there is Albertine Rift endemics and Forest endemics among the many bird species to see in this forest.
Look out for the Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, the Re-Throated Alethe, the Gigantic Forest Hornbill, and the Paradise Flycatcher.
Other birds to look out for include the White-Headed Wood Hoopoe, the Regal Sunbird, Green Pigeons, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, purple breasted, blue-headed sunbird, the Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco among many others. For the bird watching loves there are several trails in the Nyungwe forest which you can hike/walk on to see different bird species. If birding in Nyungwe forest it is recommended to go with the park ranger guide who knows this forest well.
Colobus Monkey Tracking
apart from chimpanzee, there are 12 other primate species in Nyungwe Forest National park so colobus monkey tracking is one of the exciting activities in Nyungwe forest. Other monkey species include Blue-Monkeys, Owl Faced Monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, and Mona Monkeys among many others, some of these monkeys are endemic to this region, as you enjoy the hiking trails in Nyungwe forest will usher you into an amazing experience in the tropical rainforest.
Forest walk/hiking in Nyungwe forest
for those hiking and forest walk on walks and take pleasure in a good hike, Nyungwe is one of the places you can enjoy such activity, Nyungwe forest national park has over 13 different hiking/walking trails along which you can walk between one and a half hour to 8 hours walk as view different monkeys, plant, tree, birds, and butterfly.
If you want to use the shortest trail, you have to hike via Igishigishigi Trail which passes along the canopy walk, this Igishgishigi trail takes about and half hour walk while the longest trail is Bigugu Trail which can take u to 8 hours of hiking/walking. Each hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park offers a different experience. For more information on what to do and see in the Nyungwe forest contact us.
