Guide to Visiting Nyungwe National Park 2024-2025: Nyungwe National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, covering 1,019 km2 of dense Afromontane forests, bamboo covered slopes, grasslands and wetlands. Nyungwe National Park is located in the south west of Rwanda on the border with Burundi in the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo in West on the shores of Lake Kivu. The park is a 6 hour drive from Kigali International Airport in the Capital city of Kigali, Rwanda. Below are things you need to know before visiting Nyungwe National Park. Nyungwe National Park has been in existence since 1903 and in 2004 it was then declared a National Park and one of the 4 national parks such as Volcanoes National park, Akagera national park and Gishwati Mukura national park. Nyungwe National Park is well known as Rwanda’s second most visited safari destination, one of the oldest and last remaining tract of largely preserved montane rain forests in Africa, the park is breathtakingly alluring with unique and striking biodiversity that give visitors the most thrilling experiences out of this world.
Attractive attractions in Nyungwe National Park
The Nyungwe forest national park is famously known for its 13 primate species, including the famous chimpanzees, which are the highlight of any visit to Nyungwe. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular activities in the forest, and visitors can expect to encounter these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Nyungwe forest is also home to the largest troop of black and white Colobus monkeys, which can be seen swinging through the trees.
The Nyungwe forest is also rich in other wildlife, including duikers, golden cats, Klipspringer, impalas, Bushbucks, Buffaloes, rarely seen Elephants, Bush pigs, Gant forest hog, Blotched serval, Carnival genet, Congo clawless, Mongoose, otter, serval, felis, black-fronted duiker, western tree hyrax, and many more. Birdwatchers will also be thrilled to know that the Nyungwe forest is home to over 300 bird species, including 29 Albertine Rift endemic species, Butterflies are also a common sight, with at least 120 species. The forest has 1,064 plant species and 140 orchids. . Nyungwe is also known for its Canopy Walk suspension bridge. With more than 12 trails for hiking in Nyungwe Forest, visitors can choose to sample the delights of the forest or indulge themselves for a week or more in one of Africa’s most stunning forests
Interesting activities in Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the famous activities carries out by many travelers who visits Nyungwe National Park since it is covered by Nyungwe rain forest which is a home to 13 primate species including the rare and endangered Chimpanzees. Tourist visit the park throughout the year round to catch a glimpse of these uncommon primates, observing their playful nature and all their other behaviors and characteristics. Chimp trekking in Nyungwe national park begins in the morning at Uwinka reception center or Gisakura or Katabi with a briefing on the rules and regulation guidelines of the trekking experience and then you will be allocated a ranger who will take you through into the forest to see the attractive chimpanzees and there after you will get out of the forest. The chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe national park takes up to 4 or 5 hours and is at a fee of 90 USD per trekking permit. Other primates in the forest are black and white colobus, L’ Hoests monkeys, blue monkeys, and red tailed monkeys among others . These you can see on your chimpanzee trekking experience.
Other Wildlife and Activities
Besides chimpanzee trekking, you can also encounter the Colobus monkey tracking and other rare primates tracking in the park, Nyungwe Forest National Park offers excellent opportunities for bird watching with over 300 bird species exists. You will also get opportunity to explores the hiking trails, engage in a canopy walks since Nyungwe national park is the only park in east African offering the canopy walks tours to tourists. You can also embark on our safari with the amazing forest walks where you will get an opportunity to see the various tree species in the forest, several flower species, a variety of butterfly species, birds and wildlife, you will also get a chance to see some waterfalls. Forest Nature walks are normally guided by the forest guides and they take half day or full day, you select one that you feel is okay for physical fitness. Forest walk can take up to 3 hours depending on the travelers’ preferences and wants.
Accommodation facilities at Nyungwe national park
Nyungwe national park has a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from super luxury to midrange and comfortable budget where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari such as Kivu Marina Bay hotel, Nyungwe Top view hotel, one & only Nyungwe house, Chimpanzee lodge, Nyungwe village, Kitabi eco-center, Emeraude Kivu resort and many others offering excellent services
Rules and regulations you should follow includes;
You are required to present all the necessary documents for check in, in order to get access in to the park. These documents include passport or IDs for identification, park fees payment receipts, among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is only for persons aged 15 years and above.
Do not eat or drink while in the chimpanzee’s territory in Nyungwe National Park. The chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park are playful and can easily jump at just to snatch it away from you for themselves.
Avoid eye contact with any animals in Nyungwe National Park, including chimpanzees. This they may misinterpret you as hostile person.
Wash your hands before embarking on a chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.
Note that, Only 8 persons are allowed to trek one single chimpanzee group or family per day.
Do not make noise while in the park. Keep your voices low while chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.
Avoid smoking in the park.
Always keep within your group while chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park among others.
The cost of chimpanzee trekking permit at Nyungwe forest national park.
A chimp’s permit in Rwanda costs 150 USD per person for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park starts from three reception centers namely Uwinka, and Kitabi with a briefing at 5:00 am and you will later meet the park rangers and start trekking in the forest. Nyungwe forest national park is a home of about 60 habituated chimpanzees and trekking take about 2 to 6 hours or longer depending on the location of the chimpanzees because they love to move from one place to another in search of food and once found visitors are allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Only allows a maximum of 8 people to trek each habituated gorilla family and during the one hour
Best time to explore the Nyungwe Forest National Park
The best time to visit is during the dry season which is also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During the dry month, the Nyungwe forest receives less rainfall, therefore, all the safari activities will be successful such as money trekking, chimpanzee trekking, nature walk among others because the trails will be passable though due to the fact that it’s a rainforest it might rain anytime. Nyungwe Forest National Park can, however, be visited during the rainy season in the months of March to May and October to November.
How can i book tourist activities in Nyungwe National Park?
All the tourist activities in Nyungwe National Park require a permit to be allowed to do them and we recommend booking your tourist activities with your trusted tour company that can arrange your trip and book all the activities of your interest on your behalf from the park management.
How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
When traveling to Nyungwe Forest National Park you can either use road transport or air transport means
By Car; Driving is the most popular option. The journey from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, takes approximately 6-8 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The roads leading to the park are well-maintained, and the scenic views along the way are breathtaking. You can rent a car in Kigali or hire a driver to take you to the park. .
By Bus; if you prefer public transport, take a bus headed to Ruzizi from Nyabarongo Bus Park in Kigali. The bus will take you to Uwinka Center, which is the main entrance to the park. The bus journey may take a bit longer (around 8-10 hours), and buses can be quite full.
By Flight; for those short on time, consider taking a flight from Kigali to Kamembe Airport, located near Nyungwe Forest National Park. The flight duration is approximately 45 minutes, and there are several flights per week. From Kamembe Airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the park.
For more information about the travel guide to visiting Nyungwe forest national park, you can reach out to us.
