Attractions in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Attractions in Nyungwe Forest National Park: Nyungwe National Park, located in the southwest of Rwanda, offers the excellent primate safari experience to the visitors in Rwanda. The closest town to Nyungwe National Park is Siangu, which is located by Lake Kivu, which is shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nyungwe Forest National Park now covers 970 square kilometers, but it was a forest reserve in the early 1990s. This forest reserve was designated a national park only 18 years ago, in 2004.

The Nyungwe Forest is Africa’s largest surviving montane forest, having existed long before the Ice Age. It is also thought to be the source of the Nile, Africa’s longest river. It is also thought to be the source of the Nile, Africa’s longest and the world’s second longest river. Every year, a large number of tourists visit Nyungwe National Park, but the chimps are the main draw. Nyungwe Forest National Park, on the other hand, is home to 12 other primate species, 1,060 plant and tree species, 72 mammal species, and 300 bird species. Nyungwe Forest is home to rare primate species such as owl monkeys, colobus monkeys, and golden monkeys, and 13 primate species account for one-quarter of Africa’s total primate population, making Nyungwe National Park an ideal destination for primate safaris.

Nyungwe National Park is a must-see on any Rwanda safari tour if you want to see primates. The park has a variety of activities to try for an unforgettable experience. Nyungwe Forest has dense forests, high montane forests, waterfalls, and a great opportunity to see forest animals. The following activities are available at Nyungwe National Park:

Chimpanzee trekking: Chimpanzee trekking is the main reason most visitors come to Nyungwe Forest National Park during their Rwanda safari is to go chimpanzee trekking. A chimp family of about 400 individuals lives in Nyungwe Forest, but only two families live in the park and can be visited daily. Visits to chimps in Rwanda cost $90 per person and begin at 4 a.m. from the Winka Visitor Center or cyamudongo Sector. This activity is included if you take a Nyungwe forest safari for two or more people.

Tracking other primates: The Nyungwe Forest is home to 12 different primates, and you can see more by purchasing a $60 permit. The velvet monkey, swallow monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, toothed monkey, white colobus, angora colobus, and red-tailed monkey are among the other primates seen in Nyungwe Forest. The Hamlin monkey can also be seen. Rwenzori colobus monkeys travel in groups of up to 100 individuals.

Canopy Walks and Forest Walks: The Nyungwe Forest National Park has a suspension bridge that is 200m long and 90m high, from which you can see the forest from above. You can admire the lush forest and feel the cool breeze from the top of this bridge. It’s also a great place to go bird watching. Canopy walks and Forest walks in Nyungwe Forest National Park is rewarding with12 nature trails where you can enjoy unspoiled nature on foot.

Bird watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park: Bird watching in Nyungwe is fascinating as the forest is home to 300 bird species, 27 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift and can only be found there. Nyungwe has been designated as an important birding area due to its diverse ecosystem. Nyungwe National Park offers ornithology classes and a bird list for $50.

Birds of Nyungwe. Among those to keep an eye out for are Archer Robin Chat, Handsome Francolin, and Rwenzori species. The Congo-Nile Divide is a three-day, $100-per-person hike or bike trail. This will allow you to explore this part of Rwanda at a leisurely pace. Nyungwe forest National Park offers the best safari experience to visitors in terms of primates and  other attractions in Rwanda as mentioned above.