Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park, attractions, activities, accommodation
"For infinite holidays and fearless adventures- they don't call us safari and car hire kings for nothing"
Edited date:
31 Dec 2022 08:54:23 +0300
WORKING HOURS:
Nyungwe Forest National Park Introduction
Distance: Nyungwe forest national parks is located 225 Km from Kigali, 90 Km from Butare and 54 Km from Cyangugu. Give it 6 Hrs of driving from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest.
Altitude: Nyungwe forest has an altitude range of between 1600 M-2950 M above sea level with temperatures varying between 0°C and 30°C; average day temperatures 15°C.
Rainfall: 1800-2500 mm per year. Rainy season is September to May. Dry season June to August with some dry weeks in December and January.
Nyungwe Forest National Park Attractions and Features
The main features and attractions in Nyungwe forest national park include the following.
Largest montane rain forest remaining in Africa.
Mt. Bigugu (2925M)
Kamiranzovu marsh (13 Km²)
In the vicinity Cyamudongo community forest with resident population of Chimpanzees.
260 species of trees and shrubs.
Over 100 species of orchids and giant lobelias.
More than 275 species of birds recorded Including the Ruwenzori turaco, Ross's turaco, Grey-cheeked hornbill, Red-throated alethe, Red-breasted sparrow hawk, White-headed wood-hoopoe, Kungwe apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Blue-headed and Regal sunbirds.
13 recorded species of primates (25% of Africa's total) including:-
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Ruwenzori colobus (Colobus angolensis ruwenzori)
L'Hoest's monkey (Cercopithecus l'hoesti)
Silver monkey (C.mitis doggetti)
Golden monkey (C.mitis kandti)
Owl-faced monkey (C.hamlyni)
Red-tailed monkey (C. ascanius)
Den'ts mona monkey (C. mona denti)
Vervet monkey (C.aetiops)
Olive baboon (papio anubis)
Grey-cheeked mangabey (Cercocebus albigena)
Three species of bushbaby.
Leopard, golden cat, serval cat, side stripped jackal, Genet, African civet, slender and marsh mongoose represents the carnivores.
Other mammals include three species of duikers, two species of flying squirrels, tree hyrax, and Congo clawless otter.
120 species of butterflies.
Reptiles including three species of horned chameleons.
What to do and see in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
There are a number of activities that one can undertake within and in the vicinity of Nyungwe Forest National Park. These inlcude.
Bird walks.
Primates trekking.
Trekking Chimpanzees
Trekking Colobus monkeys and blue monkeys
Excursions to Kamiranzovu Marsh.
Excursions to Lake Kivu and Gisakura tea factory.
Scaling Mt Bigugu(2925M).
Photography.
Excursions to Kamiranzovu swamp and waterfall
Hiking the waterfall trails
Excursions to source du Nile
Chimpanzee tracking starts at 06:00 Hrs. Visitors are advised to book chimpanzee tracking in advance.
Accommodation in Nyungwe Forest National:
The newly opened Nyungwe Forest Lodge is an eco-lodge located in the tea estate overlooking
Nyungwe forest. With all the trapping of modern day traveller- wifi internet, tv, health club, the Lodge goes for USD 500 per night.
The Nyungwe Top View Lodge at USD 400 Double Full Board is another alternative
Other places of stay are Uwinka Rest House, Gisakura Guest House, Ortpn campsites.
Primate visits can be undertaken from Uwinka Tourist Centre and at Gisakura ORTPN headquarters.
Other Attractions And Activities
On your way to or from Nyungwe if you have time, you can stop briefly at the following places:
Nyabisindu to visit the Nyanza King's Palace, the capital of ancient Rwanda Kingdom.
Butare:-visit the Museum, University, cathedral, arboretum and the curio worshops.
Genocide memorial of Murambi.
The Cathedral of Kabgayi and the adjacent small enthnographic museum. Kamageri's Rock (Uratare rwa Kamageri)- on the roadside after Ruhango towards Gikongoro.
