Nyungwe Forest National Park : One of Rwanda’s most well-known national parks is Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is situated in the southwest of the nation. To the west of the park is bordered by Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to the south is Kibira National Park. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a well-preserved montane rainforest in Africa because of its location between the River Congo on the west and the River Nile on the east. Additionally, there are Nile River sources and outlets in the east of the Nyungwe forest.
Established in 2004, Nyungwe National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that spans 1,019 square kilometres and includes montane rainforests, savannahs, bamboo, small swamps, and bogs. In 2020, the Rwandan government and African Parks inked a contract for the 20-year management of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe National Park is closest to Mount Bigugu and Cyangugu.
The dry season lasts from June to August in Nyungwe National Park, while the rainy season lasts from September to May. It is rare to see the sun during the wet months.
Visitors looking for an authentic African safari experience should think about going to Rwanda and Nyungwe Forest National Park, which provides a lovely setting for rest and renewal. Nyungwe is the ideal destination for couple’s getaways and family get-togethers; its picturesque oases and scenery perfectly capture the essence of an African safari in Rwanda.
What to see on a Game drive in Nyungwe National Park
Birding Safari
For birding safari tours, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a must-visit location in Rwanda. More than 200 different bird species can be found in the park, some of which are Olive, Stripe-breasted tit, Mountain masked apalis, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Albertine owlet, Dusky crimsonwing, Rockefeller’s sunbird, and Handsome spurfowl, to mention a few. The rainy season is the best time to go birdwatching in Rwanda because hundreds of migratory birds visit Nyungwe National Park, and you can see bird species there that are unique to Rwanda, such as Kungwe apalis.
Game Drives
Numerous mammal species can be found in Nyungwe Forest National Park. About 13 different species of primates live in the park because of its montane rainforest characteristics. Nyungwe Forest National Park also has some rarely seen animals.
The wildlife safari at Nyungwe National Park is unmatched; it’s one of the best safari destinations in Rwanda. Here, you can see a variety of animals, including black-fronted duikers, elephants, carnival genets, monkeys, golden cats, klipspringers, and Congo clawless, to name a few.
Another fascinating animal to discover in Rwanda is the primate species, which includes L’Hoest’s monkey, Dent Mona, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Silver, Owl-faced, and Ruwenzori colobus, as well as chimpanzees and Red-tailed monkeys.
Researchers and tourists from all over the world come to Rwanda for the monkey trekking tours; for an even more amazing experience, combine Rwanda Chimps with Mahale and Gombe Chimpanzee tracking safari tours in Tanzania.
Hiking Tours
Hiking is one of the best safari tour activities you can do in Rwanda; an armed safari ranger will accompany you on this guided nature walk. The best way to get up close and personal with nature and the wild animals you’ve always wanted to see is to go on a safari walk. The Kamiranzovu Trail is one of Nyungwe National Park’s most distinctive hiking routes.
It is roughly 14 kilometres long and features a variety of birds and amphibians. The picturesque little hills and surrounding scenery will slake your desire for adventure. There are additional locations in Rwanda where hiking is possible, like the Congo Nile trail system and the 2,930 metre high Mount Bigugu. These hiking trails provide the finest safari experience in Rwanda.
Cultural Tours
An additional perspective on Rwanda tours is the cultural exchange tour, which blends a cultural tour with gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and wildlife safari. Rwanda boasts rich historical cultures and customs that predate African colonial misbehaviour.
Continue your visit to a few villages after your adventure in Nyungwe National Park to gain insight into their customs, way of life, and way of life. In addition to learning how to make local beer, you will also learn about traditional medicine, dancing, and clothing.
Africa’s cuisine and lifestyle differ greatly from those of the West; a trip to Rwanda offers the chance to experience the depth of the nation’s culture. You can also learn about Rwandese life in Africa before and after colonisation by visiting the ethnological museum in Butare, which is 95 kilometres from Kigali, the country’s capital.
Let’s say you want to go to Wonder Wheels Tours and Travel Uganda in Nyungwe National Park. For the best Rwanda safari experience, we suggest adding a primates safari tour and gorilla trekking to Volcanoes or Akagera National Park to your itinerary. For an exciting African tour getaway, you can always combine your trip to Rwanda with other unrivalled East African safari destinations like the Serengeti National Park, Selous National Park, Ruaha National Park, or Rubondo Island holiday in Tanzania next to Lake Kivu or Mombasa beaches.
Where to stay in Nyungwe National Park
You can find a lot of hotels and lodges in Nyungwe Park. You have a selection of affordable, moderate, and upscale lodging options. Every lodge will offer its own special and breathtaking features. A nice safari experience can be had in Nyungwe at lodges like Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Lodge, and One and Only Nyungwe House, to mention a few. Gisakura Guest House is a great option for travellers on a tight budget because it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s most visited park after Volcanoes National Park because of its stunning scenery, which draws tourists.
Regardless of the season you choose to travel, Nyungwe is the best place to go on a photography safari in Rwanda. The park offers a stunning walking canopy and a bridge rising to a height of 70 metres, which make for an amazing Rwandan safari experience. A great way to capture stunning scenery for photos is from above, making a trip to Nyungwe an unforgettable natural adventure in Rwanda.