Things to Do and See in Nyungwe National Park

Things to Do and See in Nyungwe National Park : Nyungwe National Park has got a lot of remarkable activities to do while on Rwanda safari to the park. Although chimpanzee trekking is most done and liked activity by tourist who visits the park. Visitors also take park in tracking smaller primates, canopy walks, nature walks, visiting the tea plantations, bird watching and visiting one of the waterfalls.  It is also possible to do the Chimpanzee habituation experience in Rwanda.

More so, Nyungwe National Park is home to over 13 species of primates such as blue monkeys, L’hoest monkey, Owl-faced monkeys, Golden monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, Crowned monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Velvet Monkey, Olive baboon, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Chimpanzees, Angola Colobus monkeys among others.

Things to do and see in Nyungwe National Park;

Canopy walks;

Well, the best way to explore the beauty of this ancient forest – Nyungwe National Park is through engaging in the Canopy walkway. Fortunately, it’s only one attraction in East Africa that measures 60 meter high and every strong steel bridge which was built on the tree top to offer visitors unforgettable aerial view of the birds, primates and endless forest.   The viewing points along the walkway offers great views to the visitors as they marvel at the   beautiful scenery and wildlife species. The activity starts right from the visitor’s center in Uwinka and takes about 2 hours.

Note; Rwanda’s Canopy walk way experience costs 60USD per person.

Birding

Nyungwe National Park is one among the few top birding destination in East Africa. It is a home to more than 300 bird species of which 26 are endemic to the Albertine rift.  Some of bird lists to be spotted in Nyungwe National Park includes; Ruwenzori turaco, Regal sunbirds, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Ruwenzori apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori turaco, Great blue turaco, Handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush, Kungwe apalis, Mountain masked apalis, Neumann’s warbler, Purple-breasted sunbird, Red-collared babbler, Red-faced woodland warbler, Red-throated alethe among others.

Birding in Nyungwe is totally rewarding since it starts right from the window of your hotel room and while tracking the primates or even viewing them along the canopy walk.

Nature walks and Hikes

 The nature walks in Nyugwe   can be done in different remarkable trails of which to complete all trails, you might need the entire week. The main stunning trails include; Bigugu trails, Ngabwe trail, Canopy trail, Kamiranzovu Marsh trail, Congo Nile trail, Bigugu trail, Igishigishigi trail, Karamba birding trail, Irebero trail, Isumo waterfall trail, Umugote trail, Muzimu trail, Rukuzi trail and Umuyove trail. Though the most stunning one include – Bigugu and Igishigishigi.

So, we recommend you before engaging in nature walk must be fit enough to enjoy the experience because the terrain is unpredictable.

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking experience is one of the memorable activities which starts at 5am with a briefing   about chimpanzee rules and regulations. Then after, you will be grouped in a group of maximum of 8 people. But always remember to carry hiking shoes, rain poncho, long sleeved thick shirts for the cold weather, long trousers to protect you from the long creeping wild insects, binoculars for a better view of the chimps. The trekking experience can take about 30 to 5 hours. Once you allocate them in their nature inhabit ,an hour is given to you to watch and learn about these creatures how they survive in the forest .

Colobus Monkey Trekking

Nyungwe forest has got 13 hiking trails   and one of these ushers you into the world of the Grey -Cheeked Mangabeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Owl Faced Monkeys, Blue- Monkeys and Mona Monkeys among others. While tracking in this trail, you will be accompanied by a guide and there are chances of spotting a group of up to 200 Rwenzori Colobus Monkeys and other species of birds and beautiful butterflies.

Accessibility; Nyungwe National Park can be accessed from Kigali town -Airport within 4 – 5 hours drive covering a distance of 225 kilometers. And a drive from Volcanoes National Park takes about 5 -6 hours drive covering 265.3 kilometers via Ruhengeri -Gisenyi route from Kinigi to Rusizi.

Visitor from Akangera national park can take a 7 to 8 hours drive covering a distance of 32.2 kilometers.

Travel by Air;

You can still reach out to the park by a domestic flight to Kamembe Airport from Kigali International Airport while using helicopters.

Get started now planning a visit to home of primates-Nyungwe National Park.