NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK.

Known for its lush rainforests, outstanding wildlife, and a stunning diverse array of landscapes, Nyungwe National Park is one of the incredible areas to visit in Rwanda. The park is popular for its exceptional collection of primates and is home to over 1000 plant species further making it an interesting destination for nature lovers around the globe.

Some of the plant species in the park can be found nowhere else in the world as per the current research. Travelers can also spot a handful of attractive animals in the park especially iconic primates like the chimpanzees colobus monkeys and countless bird species. Nyungwe National Park is a nature lover’s paradise!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK.

Nyungwe was first established as a forest reserve in 1923 by the Belgian colonialists. They were concerned by the never-ceasing loss of forest cover moreover at a worrying speed. This move was purely aimed at protecting the exceptional plant life and animals living within.

Subsequently, the Belgians made laws that made it a crime to clear forests for any purpose of agriculture, settlement, or any other unclear reasons. However, they reserved the rights for the citizens to collect firewood from the reserve and also permitted minimal commercial exploitation of valuable hardwood timber. The enforcement of the laws in the forest decade was lax and therefore the locals continued poaching the animals in the park, farming, and encroaching on the forest land for settlement.

In 1962, Rwanda gained its independence from the Belgians and the Ministry of Agriculture got full control over the forests in the country including Nyungwe. It’s important to note down that from the late 1950s to 1973, the forest cover had been reduced to only 150 square kilometers.

The forest in 1974 was divided into portions to ensure sustainable exploitation of timber. The government came up with the plan for the buffer zone which still exists even up to today. The Wildlife Conservation Society together with the Rwanda Development Board documented colobus monkey groups with over 400 members in what they named – An unheard of phenomenon.

After that, in 2005, the Rwandan government upgraded the Nyungwe forest reserve to a national park. This came with a high-end level of protection and certainly increased its attention the world over. This daw the number of visitors to the country increased from the hundreds to tens of thousands.

LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY OF NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK.

Nyungwe National Park spans an area of roughly 1019 square kilometers in the west and southern parts of Rwanda. The forest is made up of bamboo, towering tropical rainforests, bogs, and swamps. This explains why it is a favorable habitat for a wide range of animals.

The nearest town to Nyungwe National Park is Cyangugu. The park extends up to Rwanda’s border with Burundi and is adjacent to the Kibira National Park. it is bordered by Lake Kivu and Congo to the west. RwandAir operates daily flights to Rusizi/Kanembe which is only an hour’s drive to the park. Similarly, Akagera Aviation offers chartered flights to the park further making it easier to access it. Alternatively, guests can also undertake a 4X4 tour of the park under the guidance of a professional tourist guide.

UNIQUENESS AND THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK.

Nyungwe National Park hosts the most preserved montane rainforest on the African continent. The park is popular for its favorable location. It lies in the watershed between the river Congo basin to the basin of the Nile River. Nyungwe National Park is further unique for the high numbers of chimpanzees and its hosts.

The other primates in the park are; lhoests, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. All these live in large families and the park presents the golden opportunities to watch them and observe their incredible behaviors up-close.

ACTIVITIES DONE IN NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK.

Chimpanzee trekking and habituation. Chimpanzee trekking is the most sought-after activity by adventurers in Nyungwe National Park. The park hosts over 20 families of chimpanzees living in groups of about 100 to 200 individuals per group. Ranger guides take travelers through the deep ends of the park to enable them to have a glimpse of the exciting primates.

Canopy walks. The canopy walks done in Nyungwe National Park present the awful feeling of the cool breeze of the forest amidst the attractive sights of the towering tree canopies. Undertaking the canopy walk in the golden hours of the day can leave one with memories of a lifetime because it is surely an unmatched experience.

Viewing the tropical waterfalls. The park is dissected by various streams which have beautiful waterfalls on them. Travelers enjoy marveling at the beautiful waterfalls and taking photographs at the site. Viewing the waterfalls from above on a canopy is such a therapeutic moment and certainly underrated.

Camping. Nyungwe National Park offers some of the most enjoyable camping opportunities in Rwanda. The lush vegetation of the park makes it a favorable area for relaxation and escaping the day-to-day routines of life. Camping in Nyungwe allows one to feel the breeze of the forests. Guests listen to the sounds of nature, and reflect on how wonderful mother nature is!

Bird watching. Due to its exceptional plant life, Nyungwe National Park attracts a huge population of beautiful bird species. Travelers get the opportunity to marvel at these birds up-close in the forest branches and the swamps as they feed.

Nature walks. The ranger guides walk the visitors through the interior of the forests. This allows them to appreciate the endowments of the forest as they stare at the landscapes in their surroundings. Above all, nature walks in Nyungwe offer the feeling of calmness and awe that just fills one’s heart with joy.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK.

The best time to visit the Park is during the dry seasons. There are low amounts of rainfall in these times. This makes it easier to trek and maneuver through even the challenging terrains of the park with limited hardships.

The dry seasons in Rwanda take two forms i.e. the long and short dry season. The long dry season runs from June to September while the short dry season runs from December to February.

In conclusion, for astounding safari to Nyungwe National Park, SEND INQUIRY or reach as directly at +256 393 247 137 / +256 742 678 918.