Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park is a national park that lies southwestern of Rwanda on bordering neighbors Burundi. Gazetted as a protected area in 2004 and situated in the south of Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Park covers an area of about 970 sq km of rainforest, bamboo, grassland and boggy swamps.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park

The most dominant feature of the national park is the Nyungwe forest. The forest is located in a zone where several massive bio-geographical zones overlap and the variety of earthly biomes provide a great stretch of microhabitats for numerous varieties of rare species of vegetation and animals.

A uniquely rich center of floral diversity, the Nyungwe forest has over 200 rare tree species and an assortment of attractive flower plants such as the giant lobelia as well as a host of colorful orchids and shrubs.

Wildlife

Nyungwe National Park hosts a wide diversity of amazing animal species, making it one of the prime conservation areas in Africa. The park harbors about 13 different primate species and 85 mammal species. Many of these safari animals are restricted-range species specifically dominant in the Albertine Rift eco-region on the African continent. Several primates are found in the dense regions of the forest. Some of them include popular Chimpanzee, Hamlyn’s Monkey, Angola Colobus, Olive Baboon, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Silver Monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Red-Tailed Monkey, Golden Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and Vervet Monkey. It is a perfect destination for primate tracking.

Birdlife

Nyungwe National Park is one of the most sought ornithological destinations in Africa. It harbors over 300 bird species of which two dozen are particularly confined in the montane forested areas in the Albertine Rift. The highlight of a birding safari in the park is spotting the great blue turaco – an outlandish blue, red and green bird which streams from place to place like a demonstration of graceful turkeys.

Great Blue Turacos

Great Blue Turacos

Accommodations

The park offers accommodation in a great luxury a Rest house in a natural forest setting and a campsite situated along the main road. It will take two to three days for Birdwatchers and chimp trekkers to explore the natural beauty of the park. Accommodation is available in Butare and Cyangugu.

Activities

  • Forest nature walks – A nature walk through this forest can be truly rewarding.
  • Birding Tours into the dense zone of the forest
  • Primate trekking
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Rwanda Gorilla Safaris

Rwanda, home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas is a small landlocked country, it borders on Uganda in the north, on Tanzania in the east, on Burundi in the south and on Congo in the west. Kigali is the capital of Rwanda. The country is dominated by a central plateau made up of steep mountains and deep valleys and has therefore received his subtitle “Land of thousand hills”. Rwanda Mountain gorillas are more prominent in high altitude areas and at times this becomes difficult for some gorilla safaris in the gorilla zones. To achieve enough enjoyment, you should pace yourself, walk slowly and drink plenty of water to endure this difficulty.

The Virunga Volcanoes

The Virunga Volcanoes

The Virunga Volcanoes

Virunga volcanoes in the country are the major habitat for these rare mountain gorillas. The undulating slopes create an ideal setting for the best exciting wildlife experience ever in Africa. It is an awesome moment in Rwanda whenever you come close to a group of gorillas munching bamboo in their unhampered natural habitat, led by a silverback approximately thrice the size bulkier than an average man.

The presence of the Gorillas in the Virungas is largely attributed to the late Dian Fossy who shot a documentary entitled, “Gorillas in the mist”, set in Pac Des Volcans. Unfortunately, she died shortly after much of her research had been done and was buried at the Karaoke at her research center in the Virungas. The critics and the general public concluded that, “Gorillas in the Mist” served to raise international awareness of the plight of the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla population has increased from 250 in 1970’s to about 400 in 2001, where almost half of the world’s mountains Gorillas are residents in the virunga. There are four groups of habituation gorillas in sizes of 7 of 250 individuals which can be visited by up to 32 tourists daily.

Mountain Gorrila Trekking Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking in Nyungwe

Gorilla Trekking in Nyungwe

Rwanda gorilla tours entail anything from a 1 to 4-hour trek through the forest, conducted by expert gorilla trackers who have spent their entire lives living in or close to the forest.

Rwanda Gorillas trekking tips for an eventful excursion

  • Keep the voice low when you come closer to the gorillas.
  • If a gorilla charges at you, do not panic, stand motionless, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s directions.

Gorilla Safari Regulations in Rwanda

  • To regulate the possible transmission of diseases, tourists advised to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. This is for the good of your health and animals.
  • Viewing time is limited to one hour.
  • Maximum 8 visitors per group.
  • Littering the park is strictly prohibited.
  • Speedy and noisy movements that may frighten the gorillas are prohibited.

What you need for an enjoyable Rwanda Gorilla safari

  • Study walking shoes or hiking boots are essential. You may find raingear useful.
  • Bring a water bottle and a small snack although eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden.
  • Camera Photography without the use of flash is permitted
  • Sunglasses may also be helpful especially in times of more sunlight
  • Binoculars help to enhance visibility
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