Best Activities to do in Nyungwe National Park in May to October
Activities in Nyungwe National Park offer tourists the opportunity to enhance their Rwanda safari experience by immersing themselves in nature and wildlife. Nyungwe National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, it covers 1,019 sq. km of lush Afromontane forests, bamboo covered slopes, grasslands and wetlands. The park is situated in the south west of Rwanda, and it borders Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo in West on the shores of Lake Kivu. It is approximately 6-hour drive from Kigali International Airport, the capital city of Rwanda.
Established in 1903 and designated a national park in 2004, Nyungwe is among the four national parks, alongside Volcanoes National Park, Akagera national park and Gishwati Mukura. The park is renowned for its diverse primate’s population, featuring13 primate species, including the famous chimpanzees, which are the highlight of any visit to Nyungwe. Chimpanzee trekking is particularly popular, allowing tourists to encounter these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. Nyungwe is also home to the largest troop of black and white Colobus monkeys, which can be seen swinging through the trees.
Besides primates, Nyungwe boasts a variety of wildlife such as duikers, golden cats, Klipspringer, impalas, Bushbucks, Buffaloes, Elephants, Bush pigs, Gant Forest hog, Blotched serval, Carnival genet, Congo clawless, Mongoose and more. Bird enthusiast will find over 300 bird species, including the Albertine Rift endemic species.
Visitors to Nyungwe National Park can enjoy a range of activities while on a visit from May to October such as chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, guided nature trail hiking, canopy walk, tropical waterfall, monkey trekking, and Camping among others.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is a popular activity for many travelers visiting Nyungwe National Park. The park is home to only two chimpanzee groups habituated for tourism activities. This park is largely covered by the Nyungwe rain forest, which is home to 13 primate species, including the rare and endangered chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park involves tracking along the jungles of the forest in search for these creatures in their natural habitat. The trekking begins in the morning at either Uwinka reception center, Gisakura, or Katabi, where participants receive a briefing on the rules and regulations of the activity.
A ranger is then assigned to lead the group into the forest to observe the chimpanzees, after which the group exits the forest. Once have find these chimpanzees, you will be allowed only one hour interaction as you observe how they a carry out their daily activities such as grooming, playing, feeding and have a chance to take pictures. The entire experience typically lasts between four to five hours and costs $90 USD for each permit. Besides chimpanzees, the forest is also home to other primates such as Blue Monkey, L’hoest Monkey, Owl-faced monkeys, Golden monkeys, Red-tailed monkey, Crowned monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey and Velvet Monkey among others, all of which may be seen during the trek.
Canopy walk
Nyungwe National Park is one of only three locations in Africa that offers canopy walkway tours to visitors, and it is the sole site in East Africa where this experience is available. The canopy walk in Nyungwe involves crossing a suspended bridge that stretches approximately 160 meters above the forest canopy. Standing about 70 meters above the treetops, the bridge provides a unique vantage point to observe the lush forest, the surrounding East African landscape, Lake Kivu, and a variety of wildlife from a breathtaking height. The tour is guided by a park ranger and starts at the Uwinka reception center. It typically lasts around two hours and is suitable for travelers aged six years and older.
Forest nature walks
Forest nature walks are among the most popular activities in Nyungwe National Park. During these walks, visitors have the chance to observe a diverse range of tree species, various flowers, butterflies, birds, and wildlife thriving in the forest. Additionally, there are opportunities to see some beautiful waterfalls along the way. These walks are typically guided by knowledgeable forest guides and can be enjoyed as either half-day or full-day excursions, depending on your preferred level of activity and fitness. Forest walk can take up to 3 hours depending on the traveler’s preferences and wants.
Monkey tracking
Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is renowned as one of the top locations in Africa for observing small primates. While many visitors primarily visit for chimpanzee tracking, the park also provides opportunities to observe a variety of other primates. The dense forest is home to 13 primate species, with monkeys being the most prominent. Notably, the Rwenzori Colobus monkey, which is endemic to this region, can be seen here. Other primates encountered during tracking include Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, Blue-Monkeys, L’hoest Monkeys, Owl Faced Monkeys, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys and Mona Monkeys. The ideal time for monkey tracking is in the early morning hours, when these lively creatures are most active, feeding and grooming before they settle for rest.
Hiking
The landscape of Nyungwe Forest is truly stunning and distinctive, featuring some rocky, hilly areas that enhance the forest’s natural beauty. This extraordinary terrain offers a variety of hiking trails for adventure enthusiasts eager to explore the area. Among these are the Igishigishigi trail, Rukuzi trail, Isumo waterfall trail, Kamiranzovu marsh trail, Bigugu trail, Irebero trail, Muzimu trail, Imbaraga trail, Ngabwe trail, Karamba birding trail, Umoyove trail, Congo Nile trail and many more. Hiking through the forest can be enjoyed as a full-day activity or spread over several days, depending on individual interests. Travelers should put in minds that hiking Nyungwe forest trails can be cumbersome and some trails are too steep they cannot be hiked by first-timers, you should be physically fit.
Birding tours
Nyungwe forest national park is known as the birder’s paradises and undulated forest, the park has got over 322 species of birds, astonishingly 29 species are recorded to be endemic to the Albertine rift. While on your birding tours, you’ll have an opportunity to spot different bird species such as includes Great Blue Turaco, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, White Headed Wood Hoopoe, Re-Throated Alethe, Paradise Flycatcher and the Gigantic Forest Hornbill, Green Pigeons, Ross’s Turaco, Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, the purple breasted and blue-headed sunbird, and the Rockefeller are among
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information and inquiries about best tourism activities to do in Nyungwe National Park in May to October book with our tours and travel companies, such as Elephant Whispers Safaris, who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Rwanda.
