Activities in Nyungwe National Park : Nyungwe National Park is a tour destination in one of Rwanda’s National parks located in the southwestern region of Rwanda also known as one of the oldest parks in the country for it has been there for quite a while. The Park covers an area of 1,019 kilometers square, Nyungwe boards the Democratic Republic of Congo and the other park of the National Park boarders Burundi.
Nyungwe National Park homes a number of different animal and over 300 Bird species however commonly known for Chimpanzees as the primary primates that attract tourist the most although its blessed with many more wildlife including duikers, golden cats, Klipspringer, impalas, Bushbucks, Buffaloes, 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.
Nyungwe National park has a lot to offer to all ranges of tourist were your able to encounter different experience in different activities that the park offers which includes:
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is a primary activity in Nyungwe where visitors or travelers walk and hike in search of these amazing animals named Chimpanzees’ National Park homes a good number of chimps and other different animal species. Visitors come to Nyungwe National Park any time of the year to do different activities according to their preferences and he park has enough to offer in every season, however for specifically tourist with interest of trekking chimps we can advise to visit during dry seasons when the trails are dry which makes it easy to be hiked to be able to trek down these chimpanzees. Chimp trekking in Nyungwe national park usually starts in the morning at Uwinka reception center or Gisakura where does going in for the activity are briefed and guided on the guidelines of the trekking in the park, and also told the do’s and don’ts of this activity for them to be able to have a safe and amazing experience and then visitors are allocated to a well-trained park ranger who will take you through into the forest to see or search for chimpanzees. 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.
Canopy walk
Nyungwe National Park stands as the only National Park that offers canopy walks in East Africa which is one thing that attracts tourist to this destination. The canopy walk in Nyungwe national park is a walk you take on a 160 km long where the cables ride freely across the towers above Nyungwe forest. While you are walking on this canopy you have a chance to do several activities in one as you going to do bird watching from the clearest view, the canopy also gives you an amazing opportunity to witness the beauty of the forest from above, The canopy walks are done with a professionally guide because they can be scary for the first timers and takes 2 hours so you definitely need a guide which the park offers ,for clarity canopy walks have been done for over 7 years by tourists and its proven its safe.
Bird watching
Bird Watching can be done in every corner of Nyungwe National, the park has a number of bird species that homes in the forest. The bird species in Nyungwe forest include endemic Albertine rift valley, Rockefellers sunbird, Chapin’s flycatcher, red collared mountain babbler, Rwenzori Turaco, white tailed flycatcher, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori night jar, Rwenzori hill babler, Congo bay owlet, mountain sooty boubu and many more. Visitors have an amazing chance to have guided birding safaris in the old Nyungwe forest to sight and witness the several birds in the park.
Forest Nature Walks
This is one of the top and famous activities carried out in Nyungwe National Park. on these walks you 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.
Hiking
The Landscape of the Nyungwe forest is amazing and unique with some hilly rock parts that adds beauty of this forest. This unique landscape has different hiking trails that adventure lovers can take on as they explore the forest. The hiking trails include Igishigishigi trail, Rukuzi trail, Isumo waterfall trail, Kamiranzovu marsh trail, Bigugu trail, Irebero trail, Muzimu trail, mbaraga trail, Ngabwe trail, Karamba birding trail, Umoyove trail, Congo Nile trail and many more. Hiking the forest trails can be done as a full day activity or even over several days, depending on tourist 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.
Best time to visit Nyungwe National Park.
Nyungwe National Park can be visited all year around since always open to all activities and ready to welcome visitors, However it is important to choose a good timing for these activities meaning selecting a perfect time to Visit Nyungwe National Park to help you carry on your activities perfectly, for chimpanzee trekking, hikining are best done in dry season when the park is less wet and sleepily which allows visitors to embark on this activity more comfortably, however, other different activities like birdwatching, canopywalks and cultural encounter can be comfortably done in any season.
