Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Nyungwe Forest National Park was created in 2004 and is situated in the southwest of the nation, close to Rwanda’s borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Covering 1,019 km2, it is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, with dense Afromontane forests, slopes covered with bamboo, meadows, and marshes. Nyungwe is breathtakingly gorgeous and teeming with wildlife.

The mountainous area is teeming with wildlife, with 12 different primate species and a tiny population of chimpanzees, including the rare L’Hoest’s monkey to the Albertine Rift. The park, which is one of the two newest national parks in the nation, is 270 square kilometers in size, produces 70% of the freshwater in the nation, and feeds the Congo and Nile, two of the world’s largest rivers.

According to a recent assessment by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Nyungwe provides ecological benefits valued at US$4.8 billion.

Visitors can opt to spend a week or longer indulging in one of Africa’s most beautiful woods, or they can choose to sample the wonders of the forest with 15 trails—some of which are described here—and a variety of other activities.

Most tourists prioritize primate tracking, but for those with the time to unwind and enjoy the simian ambiance, it’s worthwhile to stay a little while longer.

The 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids will wow botanists. With 322 bird species, including the Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species, bird watching is some of the greatest in Africa. Another typical sight are butterflies, of which there are at least 120 species.

There are 75 known species of mammals in Nyungwe, including the leopard, mongoose, serval cat, and Congo clawless otter, to mention a few. Sightings are sporadic because most are shy.

Strolling over the canopy suspension bridge or hiking up to the Isumo waterfall are memorable and photogenic experiences. The park’s borders are lined with tea plantations, and the forest fringe is home to forest fringe birds as well as a habituated troop of Rwenzori colobus monkeys near Gisakura.

Nyungwe, Rwanda’s main catchment area, receives a lot of rainfall and provides water to 70% of the nation.

The year-round greenery of the woodland provides visitors with breathtaking vistas. The main feature of Nyungwe Forest is a range of mountains with formations similar to those in Uganda and the Congo. At certain times of the day, one can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Kivu and the Virunga Volcanoes from these slopes. More than 200 different varieties of trees, including bogs, bamboo, and grasslands, may be found in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

With more than 13 species—including the Angola Colobus, Silver monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, Baboons, Vervet Monkeys, Golden Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, Hamlyn’s Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Chimpanzees, and Black and White Colobus—Nyungwe has been dubbed the primate capital of Rwanda.

With an estimated 275 species reported, the park is also one of Rwanda’s best places to go bird watching. In addition, there are 32 amphibians, 38 reptiles, 120 butterflies, and 85 mammal species living in the dense forest. This park is home to serval cats, golden cats, mongooses, civets, and striped jackals.

The intricate network of well-designed canopy paths in Nyungwe Forest enables visitors to enjoy the forest and its inhabitants from above. This forest is traversed by the Congo Nile Path, which allows bikers to see wildlife, waterfalls, primates, forest birds, and even the well-liked canopy walk.

The forest features more than 20 kilometers of well-maintained ground trails for nature hikes and the opportunity to see wildlife, waterfalls, marshlands, and rain, in addition to the Congo Nile trail route.

Luxury One-and-only Nyungwe House with a fantastic view of Nyungwe Hotel Kitabi Eco-Center Nyungwe Nziza Eco-lodge Gisakura Guest House