Butterfly Photography Safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Butterfly photography safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park offer a rewarding experience for macro photography enthusiasts, nature lovers, and wildlife photographers to capture beautiful photographs and discover one of Africa’s richest butterfly habitats. The park is not only famous for chimpanzees and the canopy walk, but it’s also home to a good number of butterfly species, which beautify the park. Nyungwe Forest National Park hosts over 130 butterfly species, including 22 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift and 41 species that are found nowhere else in the world except Nyungwe Forest. Butterfly photography enthusiasts can look forward to capturing stunning images of unique species such as Acraea turilini, Bebearia dowsetti, and Papilio leucotaenia, which add vibrant colors and lively movement to the ancient tropical rainforest.
These are guided walks led by a knowledgeable park guide who identifies various species encountered and gives more insights about their behaviours. The park has well-maintained trails for butterfly walks, all of which provide equal chances of capturing unique photographs of butterfly species. For better results, the early morning sunlight and calm weather provide the best conditions for photographing these delicate insects as they feed on nectar or bask on leaves. Whether you are a professional wildlife photographer or a passionate nature enthusiast, a butterfly photography safari in the park promises an unforgettable experience with unique opportunities to capture unique butterfly species.
Species to encounter on Butterfly Photography Safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Marco photographers or nature lovers will encounter various butterfly species on their safari in the park, including Common Grass Yellow / Eurema hecabe, Acraea turlini, Bebearia dowsetti, Cream-banded Swallowtail / Papilio Ieucotaenia, Green-banded Swallowtail / Papilio phorcas, Angled Grass Yellow/ Eurema desjardinsi, African Queen/ Danaus chrysippus, Red Glider / Cymothoe hobarti, Topaz Arab/ Colotis amata, African Clouded Yellow / Colias electo, Common Green Charaxes / Charaxes eupale, Green-Veined Charaxes / Charaxes candiope, Common Bush Blue / Cacyreus lingeus, Grizzled Bush Brown/ Bicycyclus ena, Dantate Bush Brown / Bicycyclus dentatus, Sudan Copper White / Belenois sudanensis, Gaudy Commodore/ Precis Octavia, Forest Commodore/ Precis rauana, Eared Commodore / Precis tugela, Beautiful Tiger / Tirimala Formosa, Wanderer / Acraea aganice, Blue Pied Pierrot / Zintha hintza, Palm Tree Nightfighter / Zophopetes dysmephila, African Albatross / Appias epaphia, Silver Striped Charaxes / Charaxes lasti, Pale Ranger / Kedestes callicles ,Long-tailed Admiral/Antanartia schaenia, Black and Orange / Vanessa Milca, Grand Skipper / Gamia buchholzi , Soldier Commodore / Junonia terea, Brown-Veined White / Belenois aurata, Fragile Buff / Baliochila fragilis, Livid Ciliate Blue / Anthene livida, Leaden Ciliate Blue / Anthene amarah, Tiny Acraea / Acraea uvui, Orange Acraea / Acraea serena, Wandering Donkey / Acraea neobule ,Natal Acraea / Acraea natalica, Elegant Acraea / Acraea egina, Dancing Acraea / Acraea bonasia, Black-Winged Acraea / Acraea asboloplintha, Regal Swallowtail / Papilio rex among others.
What to Pack on Butterfly Photography Safaris.
Travellers preparing for their butterfly photography safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park are advised to pack essential items that will enable them to have a memorable photography safari in the park. They should consider packing memory cards, binoculars, tripods, a camera with a telephoto lens for capturing distant butterflies, extra batteries, a waterproof backpack, and a rain cover to protect their equipment from unexpected rainfall. Don’t forget to carry comfortable waterproof hiking shoes, a rain jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, a water bottle, a brimmed hat, a birding checklist, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, energy snacks, a power bank for charging devices, and a headlamp.
What is the best time to do butterfly photography in the Nyungwe?
Nyungwe Forest National Park is open year-round for butterfly photography safaris, but the most preferred period by nature lovers and photographers is the wet season, which runs from March to May and September to November. During this time, the park receives enough rainfall, causing orchids and other flowers to bloom, which in turn attracts a large number of butterflies. However, be prepared for muddy and slippery trails during this season. Visitors can also come during the dry season, which is from June to September and December to February. During this period, the park is dry, and it’s easy to penetrate, though travellers should be aware that they will encounter few butterfly species.
