Best Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Rwanda’s four national parks and the second most frequently visited National Park after Volcanoes National Park, famous for Gorilla trekking. Are you planning your dream safari in Nyungwe, this article will explore the best activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park, found in the southwestern region of Rwanda. It’s one of the remaining ancient tropical rainforests in Africa, known for its rich biodiversity of wildlife species and one of the four areas in Rwanda that are recognised as important places for conservation.
This UNESCO heritage site is home to an incredible variety of wildlife species, such as chimpanzees, birds, Mona monkeys, colobus monkeys, butterflies, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, reptiles, amphibians, bush babies, olive baboons, and more, making it a paradise for nature lovers. If you’re looking for a butterfly safari, primate encounters, peaceful walks, exciting hikes, or the melodic sounds of birds, Nyungwe Forest National Park offers unforgettable experiences for all types of travellers, making it a top destination for wildlife encounters in Rwanda.
Best Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Birding
Birding is one of the best activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park, as bird lovers will indulge in over 320 bird species, including 29 species that are Albertine Rift endemics, which makes it a paradise for birdwatching. Nyungwe has well-maintained birding trails that cater to all levels of birding, from easy to challenging, and both provide unforgettable experiences in the park. Bird species to spot on your birding safari include, Red-collared Babbler, Stripe-breasted Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Dwarf Honeyguide, Handsome Francolin, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Ashy Flycatcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-chested Cuckoo, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Dusky Twinspot, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Grauer’s Broadbill, Shalley’s Crimsonwing, Grey Parrot, Black Bee-eater, White-headed Woodhoopoe, rare Ruwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Strange Weaver, Albertine Owlet, Blue headed Sunbird and more.
Chimpanzee Trekking.
Nyungwe Forest is home to over 500 chimpanzees, making it the best destination in Rwanda to enjoy chimpanzee trekking. The park has two habituated groups of Chimpanzees, the Uwinka group and Cyamudongo group, that are fully accustomed to human presence and ready to be trekked. Chimp trekking is done very early in the morning when chimpanzees are still active and doing their daily routines. This activity is led by a knowledgeable guide who gives more insights about the wildlife species that you might find on the way. The search includes hiking on steep slopes we encourage visitors to assess their levels of fitness. Once chimpanzees are found, participants are given 1 hour to be with them, observing and learning more about these playful creatures. They will see how they feed, mothers take care of the young ones, just like humans, which is such an incredible experience. If you are a primate lover, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park must be added to your bucket list.
Canopy Walk Experience.
A canopy walk experience is among the best activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park that offers visitors an opportunity to observe the park from above. A walk on a suspended bridge of 160m long and 70m above the ground offers breathtaking vistas of the tropical rainforest and nature lovers immerse themselves in nature. This is a guided activity led by a guide who gives more information about the park’s inhabitants that you may encounter. On lucky days, visitors might see chimpanzees swinging from tree to tree, butterflies that beautify the forest, bird species that stay in tree canopies, monkeys playing, and more, which creates a wonderful experience while on a safari. If you are a nature enthusiast, a canopy walk is a perfect experience for you and is worth it.
Butterfly Safari.
A butterfly safari in Nyungwe Forest is one of the least known yet rewarding activities. The park hosts over 120 butterfly species, including 40 species which are endemic to Nyungwe Forest and 21 species which are Albertine species. The presence of over 1600 plant species, including orchid species, provides enough nectar for them. There are trails with many orchid species that attract countless species of butterflies, making spotting butterflies in the park very easy. If you are a butterfly lover looking for a destination, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the best place for butterfly safaris. Some of the butterfly species to encounter include Green-Banded Swallowtail, Silver Striped Charaxes, Meadow White, Leopard Fritillary, White-Banded Swift, Regal Swallowtail, Constantine’s Swallowtail, Eastern Dotted Border, Giant Cupids, Small Copper, Pale Ranger, Black and Orange, Grand Skipper, Soldier Commodore, Common Grass Yellow, Angled Grass Yellow, African Queen, Red Glider, Topaz Arab, African Clouded Yellow, Common Green Charaxes, Green-Veined Charaxes, Common Bush Blue, Grizzled Bush Brown, Dantate Bush Brown, Sudan Copper White, Brown-Veined White, Fragile Buff, Livid Ciliate Blue, Leaden Ciliate Blue, Long-Tailed Admiral.
Nature Walk.
Nature walks are among the best activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park, which gives visitors a chance to connect with nature. This is a guided activity led by a park guide who protects you and gives more information about the inhabitants. The park has gazetted trails specifically for nature walks and caters to all levels of fitness, from easy to challenging, which all provide a memorable experience.
