Frequently asked questions about Nyungwe National Park

Frequently asked questions about Nyungwe National Park: There are numerous questions that people and potential visitors to the park should be aware of. These many questions require answers, and with the appropriate answers, the people will get more information about the attractions, the services, the transport means, and how much they have to pay in order to enter the Nyungwe Forest National Park and enjoy the services offered within the park. Nyungwe National Park is located on the south-western side of Rwanda and covers 1019 square kilometers. It is mostly forested and is bounded to the west by the Congo River Basin and to the east by the Nile River Basin. The Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 275 bird species, including endangered albertine endemics such as the Grauers warbler and Kungwe appalis, making the safari experience that much more interesting. Some of the frequently asked questions about Nyungwe National Park include;

What is the best time to visit Nyungwe National Park?

 Visitors who are interested in visiting the Nyungwe Forest National Park are informed that the park is open to visitors or tourists all year, but the dry periods or months of the year, usually from June to September, are more ideal and vibrant for visitors due to the limited occurrences of rains, which have proven to disrupt some of the safari activities. Usually the dry season makes the chimpanzees of the Nyungwe National Park feed nearby because there is a scarcity of food. Nonetheless, the dry season causes birds to breed, allowing visitors to see a variety of bird species. During the wet season, however, this is also the best time for you to see the bird species since they can be seen anywhere, moving up and down and jumping from one tree to another.

What is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

Chimp trekking in Nyungwe National Park is restricted to those over the age of 12. Because of the geography of the park, visitors need to be old enough to be able to trek through the rugged topography full of valleys and ridges to be able to see and enjoy the chimpanzees in the park, and this might not be possible for anyone who is under the age of twelve. Still, chimpanzees are always actively moving for long distances, and thus they require some level of energy to trek once it is hard to trace them. As a result, visitors under the age of 12 may be unable to travel long distances in search of these animals in the park.

What are the instructions, or dos and don’ts, of Nyungwe Forest National Park?

While visiting the Nyungwe National Park, there are some dos and don’ts that you must follow if you are to have a successful trip, and some of these instructions include the following:

• It is only permitted to spend an hour with the chimpanzees so they can be left alone to eat.
• To avoid making the chimpanzees feel ambushed, avoid surrounding them.
• Sneezing and coughing should be done away from the chimpanzees in order to prevent the spread of any illnesses to them. Before going chimpanzee trekking, offer to stay behind in case you contract any contagious diseases like the flu, COVID-19, or other diseases such as Ebola.
• Chimpanzees should not be fed because they are wild animals and must find their own food.
• Because the vegetation serves as food for the forest’s primates, spitting on it is forbidden.
• No dumping of wraps or other waste is allowed due to the damage it causes to the forest’s natural environment. Rwanda is very strict about not throwing trash anywhere and supports ecotourism, so leave the environment as pristine as you found it.
• Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you that is about 30 meters deep and completely cover everything if you want to ease yourself.
• Avoid eating or smoking in the presence of the chimpanzees. Although they might be tempted to take it, they are wild animals and must find their own food.

How to get to Nyungwe National Park

Visitors interested in accessing or getting to Nyungwe National Park will have two ways of doing so: by road transport or by air transport. You will travel to the park by road, which is approximately five hours from Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. With the road transport, visitors will get the chance to make some stopovers at various destinations, such as a stopover at Nyinza Place found in Nyabisindu, which is prominent for being the home of the former king of Rwanda. Other places where you can make a stopover include the Gikongoro Genocide Memorial, the national museum, and others.

Further, the Nungwe National Park can be reached through air transportation, and this is done through requests and advanced bookings with Rwanda Air, which operates flights from Kigali International Airport to Nyungwe Park.

Where can I stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

You can take advantage of Nyungwe National Park’s breathtaking views by opting to book your accommodations both inside and outside the park. Depending on your budget, a variety of lodging options are available. They are ranked as either luxury lodging facilities, moderate lodging facilities, or budget lodging facilities. Some of the lodging options in Nyungwe National Park include the Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisaku Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, and Gisaku Family Hostel, among others.

What can I pack for a Nyungwe National Park safari?

Since Rwanda is a hilly, cold country, most safari activities there involve hiking. And thus, you will need to come for the safari in Nyungwe National Park when you are extremely prepared with equipment that will help you during this safari. Therefore, as the traveler, you need to pack the following equipment for your Nyungwe National Park safaris:

• Since the ground is moist and slick in wet areas, hiking boots are best for moving more easily up slopes.
• You need to pack a set of binoculars for a clearer view of distant sights like birds, monkeys, chimpanzees, and others.
• Use insect repellents to shield your body from the stinging insects that spend the entire day roaming the forest.
• Garden gloves will help you maintain a better grip on the creepers, especially during the trek through Nyungwe National Park to find the chimpanzees.
• water bottle with drinking water to replenish fluids during strenuous forest hikes.
• Make sure that you carry toiletries in case you need them.
• Since the park is a forest, and forests get cold, especially during rainy seasons, warm rainproof clothing, such as ponchos, should be worn.
• You need to wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants because there are biting insects in the forest that could harm your skin.
• a small, water-resistant bag to protect your possessions from raindrops and to keep them together.
• a camera so you can document your time in Nyungwe National Park and a backup battery that is fully charged for use when the primary one runs out.
• If you want to make any purchases, including tipping, hiring a porter, purchasing souvenirs, and more, you’ll need some cash to exchange into local currency.

What are the safari activities to do in Nyungwe National Park?

There are several safari activities that are conducted in Nyungwe National Park, and these activities are discussed in detail here below.

Enjoy the canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park: Within Nyungwe National Park, a 91-meter-long suspension bridge that is 50 meters above the forest canopy spans Nyungwe National Park. In all of East Africa, this unique hike can only be found in Nyungwe National Park. The canopy walk can be reached from Uwinka, the forest’s administrative center, in about 90 minutes by hiking the Igishigishigi trail. Each day at 9:00 a.m., the Canopy Walk offers breathtaking views of the forest and undulating valleys covered in trees. Many birds can be seen flying over the extensive canopy. Many people have shared special, life-changing moments from the canopy, including proposals, birthday surprises, and many other events, and this makes the safari so much more interesting.

Camping safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park: A worthwhile addition to your list of things to do in Nyungwe National Park is to camp out in the middle of nowhere and listen to the jungle calls. Camping is available at the Uwinka Visitor Center, where you can set up your tent, listen to nature’s lullabies, and wake up to bird calls. There is a campfire waiting for you in the park to enjoy, which is an additional experience.

Nature walk trail hike in Nyungwe National Park: Take in the tranquil natural scenery that Nyungwe National Park has to offer. The 130 km of hiking trails in the forest include the most strenuous Imbaraga, Congo Nile, and Igishigishigi trails. To fully appreciate the time spent in the forest and preserve the memories, you must get your trekking supplies ready. a camera, some hiking shoes, some energy bars, some binoculars, and many other things.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is the major activity that is carried out in this park and has attracted very many people. Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity, and here two groups of the primates are still getting used to humans. Although this area is on the outskirts of the park and is surrounded by a tea plantation and eucalyptus trees, one group is in Uwinka and another is in Cyamudondo. Depending on the chimpanzees’ mobility, the duration of the trek can range from two to three hours. Due to its location on a steep slope, the forest fragment escaped the attention of cultivators. A small group of about 30 chimpanzees is housed in this area. It takes an hour to get to the chimpanzees in Cyamudongo from the Gisaku Reception Center via a rough, dusty road. Although these chimpanzees are still acclimating, it’s a lovely experience and an adventure to keep yourself on your toes even when you find the chimpanzees.

Bird watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park: You will spot some Albertine endemics while birding in Rwanda, including the Shelley Crimson Wing, Kungwe Apalis, Rwenzori Turaco, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Malachite Sunbird, and Dusky Tutle Dove, to name a few. A Rwandan birder’s itinerary should include time for birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This tropical forest is located on the Albertine Graben, which has great birdlife because of the favorable environment.

Exploring waterfalls in Nyungwe National Park: Several rivers pass through this park, some of which produce stunning waterfalls, making it a water catchment area. The most notable waterfall is Kamiranzovu Waterfall, whose name means “swallowing an elephant” in the local language. The Kamiranzovu Swamp, which feeds the falls, gave them their name. The waterfalls at the end of a nature hike are stunning.

In conclusion, the park provides a variety of interesting activities, and there are numerous frequently asked questions about this wonderful park. Just keep contacting Africa Adventure Vacations for more information about Nyungwe National Park.