Nyungwe National Park

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The Nyungwe rainforest is in southwestern Rwanda, at the border with Burundi, to the south, and Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The Nyungwe rainforest is probably the best-preserved montane rainforest in Central Africa. It is in the watershed between the basin of the river Congo to the west and the basin of the river Nile to the east. From the east side of the Nyungwe forest comes also one of the branches of the Nile sources that greatly supply the area with fresh water.

Wildlife in the Nyungwe Forest

Covering an area of approximately 970 km2 of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs, Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda’s most important area of biodiversity, with no fewer than 1000 plant species, 13 species of primates, 75 species of other mammals, at least 275 species of birds this makes it to be a birder paradise and an astounding 120 species of butterflies. It has been rated the highest priority for forest conservation in Africa and its protected area covers one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Despite its huge biodiversity, Nyungwe is little known outside of East Africa but is a great place with over 1000 different biodiversities of many kinds of species.

Nyungwe forest has a wide diversity of animal species, making it a priority for conservation in Africa and the number one rainforest in Rwanda. The forest is situated in a region in which several large-scale biogeographical zones meet and the variety of terrestrial biomes provides a great span of microhabitats for many different species of plants and animals.

Many of these animals are restricted-range species that are only found in the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion in Africa. In fact, the number of endemic species found here is greater than any other forest in the Albertine Rift Mountains that has been surveyed. The forest, which reaches its maximum altitude of 3000 meters above sea level, is of particular interest for the presence of colonies of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and Angola colobus (Colobus angolensis), the latter now extinct in Angola for the intense hunt to which they were subjected.

Primates in the forest

The 13 primates which can easily be sited on your primate safari tour in the forest either during trekking, or nature walks includes; Common chimpanzee, Angola colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, silver monkey, Golden monkey, Hamlyn’s monkey, Red-tailed monkey, Dent’s mona monkey, Vervet monkey, Olive baboon, and Grey-cheeked mangabey. Having an estimated 500 chimpanzees. A number of waterfalls does exist within this great rainforest park of Nyungwe which could give you a stunning environment on your visit.

Quite a number of tourism activities can be undertaken here on your visit to this great mighty forest during your safari. Some of the activities include:

Canopy walk
Primate trekking
Hiking through the trail
Biking safaris
Tea estate visit
Walking safari
Bird watching
Butterfly watching
Nature walks
Community visit.
Camping

Having received official national park status in 2004 and a great deal of support from the World Conservation Society, Nyungwe Forest National Park is now setting its sights on becoming one of East Africa’s leading ecotourism destinations.