Nyungwe forest national park is biggest remaining montane forest containing 200 species of trees. It located in the south west of Rwanda bordering Burundi Republic. The park is well known for Chimpanzee tracking and the rare Canopy walk. Nyungwe forest covers was established in 2004 and covers over 970 sq. km of Bamboo, rain forest, grassland and swamps. Nyungwe forest harbors over 85 mammal species, 13 primate species, several reptile and Amphibian species and 275 bird species.
WHAT TO DO AT NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzees share close to 98% of human DNA and their behavior is pretty much like humans except a few elements of being wild. The Chimps have been habituated and can be tracked at a close range without any worry. They have been trained to get used to the presence of human beings without them changing their behavior. Visitors are allowed to meet the chimps to learn about their behavior in the bush as they take memorable pictures for one full hour. Meeting the chimps is one of the highlights of your trip to the country of a thousand hills. Other primate species you will meet include; the Rwenzori colobus monkeys, Silver Monkey, Golden Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Grey-Checked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, Dent’s mona Monkey, and Hamlyn’s Monkey.
Nyungwe Canopy Walk
The canopy walk in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest is East Africa’s only Canopy and one of the only three in the whole of Africa. The canopy lies 50 meters above the forest giving the best aerial view of the entire forest and the surrounding villages. The birds, monkeys and chimps are sometimes seen jumping over the trees as you stand above the forest. This experience will cost you only $60 per person and you will be given a guise to take you through this whole experience.
Hike to the Waterfall
The hike begins at Gisakura guesthouse and may take you 3-6 hours depending on the speed and the stopovers you have. The hike will take you through different interesting water streams through rough terrain towards the small waterfall giving you a unique experience of the wild.
Bird Watching
Nyungwe forest has a total of over 275 bird species recorded over time and the major species include; Rwenzori Turaco, the blue-headed sunbird, blue Turaco, regal sunbird, white bellied Robin Chat, Red Collared Babbler, Handsome Francolin, Crowned Hornbill, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, and Chapin’s Flycatcher among others.
