Nyungwe Forest National Park In Rwanda — Kubwa Five Safaris

Overview of Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa; Nyungwe extends for 1,015km 2over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, forming a contiguous forest block with Burundi’s 370km 2Kibira National Park. The park is the most important 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 Mount Bigugu is now regarded to be the most remote source of the world’s longest river

At Nyungwe primates are the main attraction, 13 species are present including chimpanzee with a population estimated at 500–1000 which is usually tracked at a short notice or even the sound they make in the jungle, several other monkeys are readily seen; including the L’Hoest’s monkey and acrobatic Ruwenzori colobus.

Nyungwe is also highly alluring to birders, botanist, and keen walkers, with its 130 networks of walking trails and the only sight for a suspended canopy walk, the park features few tourist itineraries because the forest trails require a lot of stamina than Volcanoes National Park.

The birdwatching is among the best in Africa with 322 bird species including Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species. Butterflies are also a common sight, with at least 120 species.

There are 75 known mammals in Nyungwe, such as the cerval cat, mongoose, congo clawless otter, and leopard to name but a few. Many tend to be shy so sightings are luck of the draw.

Wildlife And Birding

Nyungwe Forest National Park resides as the country’s largest and most important area of spectacular biodiversity. Boasting over 1,000 plant varieties, hundreds of bird species, and 75 types of mammals, not to mention 13 varieties of primates, Nyungwe Forest is home to a rich and incredible array of natural wildlife, flora, and fauna.

Wildlife And Primates:

Nyungwe National park is a home to Ruwenzori colobus, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, Owl faced monkey, Mona monkeys, Dent’s monkey, silver monkey, and blue monkey. It is a mystical experience to come across a forest covered with colobus monkey with their black and white colors.

Birding:

Nyungwe forest has 310 bird species 27 Albertine rift endemics part of the species that are established in the forests of the Albertine Rift Endemics, of which three are (red-collared, Rockefeller’s sunbird, and Albertine owlet) 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 usually seen at the canopy.

Flora:

Nyungwe forest contains large trees of different species. It is remarkably rich in biodiversity in the region, with more than 200 tree species including orchids, flowering plants, and giant lobelia. The park has a span of vegetation zones that are dispensed according to their different altitudes. At 2500m above sea level, you explore the Alpine vegetation which is characterized by bamboo and shrubs. At 2250m, there lies a range of tall trees and fern species such as Polycscias, Newtonia, and Symphonia. At 1900m, there lie taller tree species like Carapa, Cyathea Manniana, and Newtonia.

Waterfalls:

Because of the nature of the landscape, the forest has a lot of rivers and springs creating waterfalls about 17m high characterized by overlying cliffs, caves, and Kamiranzovu swamp.

The Park can be visited year-round and the chimps are often easier to find during the wet season (mid-March to mid-May). It is equatorial rainforest and trails can get extremely wet and muddy, so it is best to have good shoes and a rain jacket.

The best time to travel to Rwanda is during the drier seasons, periods between December to early March and June to September. December to March is a long dry season for Rwanda, with temperatures going up to 29 degrees Celsius for some days while the months of March — Mid May, July to September, on the other hand, are regarded as the rainy season in the country.

Overall Rwanda has good weather throughout the year but the dry season is more preferable.

How To Get There:

Nyungwe forest national a park is located in the southwest of Rwanda close to the Burundi border in the south, the park is the main catchment area in Rwanda.

You can book a flight with Rwanda Air, the airline offers a private flight, and one of its favorite routes is Kigali-Kamembe. The airline is active the whole week from Kigali to Kamembe International airport. Kamembe is 49km 1 hour drive to Nyungwe forest lodge.

Nyungwe National Park is 217km from Kigali; you will need a good 4×4 vehicle to reach on time. A car is enjoyable and suitable. There several scenic observations along the way. When time allows you can make a few stops, you could stop at the National Museum to see locally made arts and crafts, and cultural entertainment. There is also the Nyamagabe (formerly called Gikongoro) the satellite town of Murambi was the site of one of the memorable fear of the 1994 genocide.

Where To Stay:

Here are some of the places you can stay at in the Akagera area.

The lodge was set up in 2010 and the favorite for tourists at the park simply because it is situated in the middle of a Tea Plantation close to Nyungwe forest national park boundary, the lodge is designed to match with the surrounding ecosystem stretch matching the level of a five-star wilderness lodge.

Nyungwe forest lodge furnishes accommodation in 24 luxury rooms in spacious state of art wooden chalets with king-sized beds, air conditioner/ heater satellite TV, bathroom with a hot tub and shower, and a veranda. The lodge also features 2 presidential bedrooms each containing a Jacuzzi.

The lodge contains a large fresh dining sitting area that combines clean modern lines with attractive ethnic décor, swimming pool, jacuzzi pool, boutique stock, conference facilities, wifi, current restaurant, gym, and laundry.

Nyungwe Top View Hotel is set on an isolated hilltop with stunning panoramic views of the tea plantation and west to Lake Kivu.

This hotel facility equally provides the best accommodation experiences and lies very close to Nyungwe forest national park. It was opened in 2011 and you need only 5 minutes to drive up to this facility and 4 to 5 hours’ drive when you are in Kigali.

Due to its strategic location, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the most breathtaking views of the magnificent Nyungwe forest and other surrounding areas. It features red brick cottages well furnished with the furniture and has also a dining area and lounge. This hotel lies within the electric power grid and this guarantees you power supply and no need to worry about the dark nights. There is also a medical care center 10 kilometers away from the hotel and security is at its best. While at this hotel, you can easily connect to the park and engage in a number of safari activities such as chimpanzee tracking, birding, colobus tracking, canopy walk, hiking a mention but a few.

The lodge stands 2km outside the forest close to Gisakura Tea Plantation; it has a suitable location for the excellent Isumo Trail and the visit of the colobus group on the Gisakura Tea Plantation. Vervet monkeys sometimes pass through the guesthouse grounds. The guesthouse serves good meals, beers, sodas, and a selection of wine.

The guesthouse offers the opportunity to visit chimpanzees of Nyungwe forest, the top canopy walks, birding walks, and a chance to encounter with forest monkeys.

Besides lodges and hotel facilities, you can also camp within the wilderness campsites at this park and get a chance to interact with nature at a close range. Most of the campsites lie along the walking forest trails and you will need to come along with your personal camping gear mostly camping tents, food, firewood-this can be got at the site, sleeping bags, and others.

The key camps include;

• Mount Bigugu peak camp and this allows you to experience this wilderness area. It accommodates about 4 visitors.
• Congo Nile Divide trail campsite and for those of you who are planning to embark on cycling tours along this 227-kilometer trail, this is one of the camps for you to relax from.

Originally published at https://kubwafive-safaris.com.