Activities In Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe national park is located in south-western Rwanda is one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests. Nyungwe national park has an area cover of 1,019 square kilometres; the montane rainforest is an important component of the albertine rift which is a region known for its biodiversity and high levels of originality.
Nyungwe national park was established as a park in 2004 and has become a sanctuary for a remarkable array of flora and fauna. The national park is a home to over 1,000 plant species including more than 100 species of orchids and supports a wide variety of wildlife. The park as well boosts with 13 primate species such as the endangered eastern chimpanzee, L’hoests monkey, and white and black colobus monkeys which has over 400 individuals thus making it the largest primate groupings in Africa.
Nyungwe national park is a birding paradise with over 310 bird species recorded as well as 27 endemic to the albertine rift. These species include the great blue Turaco and the red-breasted sparrowhawk among others.
Tourists to Nyungwe can engage in a number of activities as follows;
BIRDING
Nyungwe national park is a home to over 300 bird species as well as 29 species that are endemic to the Albertine rift such as Shelley crimson, grauer’s warbler and kungwe Apalis. While on a birding safari, a tourist should carry a national ID or passport, permit binoculars, raincoat, camera as well as a guiding book.
The cost of birding follows: foreign non-residents $50, foreign resident 40, Rwanda resident’s rwf 5000, east Africa community nationals $10, east Africa community resident $40, Rwandan students RWF5000, east African community students $5 and foreign resident students $20 per person.
CHIMPANZEE TRACKING
Chimpanzee trekking is the major activity and the forest has a large population of chimpanzees. Nyungwe national park has 2 groups of fully habituated chimpanzee troops where the biggest troop is found in Nyungwe national park with over 60 individuals. The rest of the other troops is in Cyamudongo with 30 individuals which are as well trekked every day. The trekking within Nyungwe starts at 5;30am, therefore tourists should reach early at the headquarters for briefing. Then after the briefing, you will proceed to the forest for the activity.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe is done in small groups accompanied by an experienced guide, ranger. Once the chimpanzees are located, the tourists will spend an hour with the chimpanzees as they learn more about their behaviours, feeding patterns, grooming their little ones as well as how they relate with each other.
NATURE TRAIL HIKING
Nyungwe national park has a 130kilometer well-constructed hiking trails that are located within the forest such as Congo Nile known as the longest one, imbaraga the difficult one and Igishigishigi trail as the short one. One is required to come along with hiking boots, national ID or passport, hiking permit, hiking stick, raincoat, camera and drinking water.
The cost of hiking for foreign non-resident $40, foreign residents $30, Rwanda residents RWF 3,000, east Africa community nationals $5, east African community foreigner residents $30, Rwandan students RWF1,500, east African community students $3, foreign resident students $20 per person.
CANOPY WALK
The canopy walk is the most famous activity for domestic tourists as well the second done in big numbers in nyungwe forest national park. after the chimpanzee trekking, the canopy walk was established in 2010 in order to boost domestic and international tourism. The canopy walk is part of the Igishigishigi trail which is a high suspension bridge with amazing views over the valley as well as the surrounding area. the walkaway is a unforgettable experience with a breathtaking view of the forest from the top. The activity starts at 9am and the last trip is 3pm.
For one to engage in the canopy walk must carry a national ID or passport, permit, hiking stick, boots, camera, raincoat and enough drinking water. The cost for the canopy walks includes: foreign non-residents $60, foreign residents $50, Rwanda residents RWF5000, east Africa community nationals $10, east African community foreign residents $50, Rwandan students RWF5000, east African community students $5 and foreign residents $25 per person.
TROPICAL WATERFALL
Nyungwe national park has plenty of the waterfalls but the most famous and the biggest is kamiranzovu waterfall known as the biggest tropical waterfall within the park. a visit to the tropical waterfall is one of the beautiful and amazing activity in nyungwe national park. the name kimiranzovu which means swallowing elephant was named to the waterfall after the wetland called Kamiranzovu swamp which is found within the park as they main source of the waterfall. This activity is as well the most famous especially the hikers and after 3 to 4 hours of the hike, they get a reward of the breathtaking waterfall.
Tourists are cautioned to carry a national ID or passport, permit, hiking stick, raincoat and camera and hiking boots among others. The cost of the visit to the waterfall is
OTHER PRIMATES TREKKING
Besides the chimpanzee trekking, tourists can trek the Angolan colobus monkeys. Nyungwe national park has over 350 to 400 individuals of the colobus monkeys and the trekking of these primates isn’t difficult and it’s considered as a nature walk. The trekking is perfect when carried out in the morning.
Tourists are encouraged to carry along rain gears, binoculars, hiking boots with gaiters, gumboots, snacks, walking sticks that are provided. The cost of trekking the colobus monkeys include; foreign non residents $60, foreign residents $40, Rwandans RWF 5000, east African community nationals $10, east African community foreign residents $40, student’s Rwandan citizens RWF1,500, East African community students $3 and student’s foreign residents $20 per person.
CAMPING
Camping is another interesting activity that tourists can participate in while at nyungwe forest national park. Camping is where you spend a night within the forest. There is a campsite within the national park which is set at the Uwinka reception centre. The camp has tents that are pitched on the wooden made platform, there are no walls but covered on top to prevent rain from entering. Campfire is already there as well as modern toilets and bathrooms. Camping in Nyungwe costs $40 per person including a tent and $30 per person with your own tent.