Butterfly Species in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a premier destination in Rwanda, located in the western region of the country. It attracts thousands of visitors from around the globe. The park is renowned not only for its birdlife and primate species but also for its impressive diversity of butterflies, with over 120 butterfly species identified in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
These butterflies are the most visually striking invertebrates found in the park; more than 40 species are endemic to Nyungwe, and over 21 species are unique to the Albertine Rift. The butterflies in Nyungwe do not have chewing mouthparts; instead, they use a proboscis, which functions like a tubular straw to sip nectar. Additionally, they taste with their feet and smell with their antennae, which is a distinctive characteristic among butterflies. Nyungwe Forest is fortunate to host these rare butterfly species.
The park provides a colorful display of nature’s beauty, from the strikingly banded swallowtail (Papilio leucotaenia) to tiny blues and vibrant Acraeas. The butterflies thrive in the park’s lush rainforests, flowering plants, and open clearings. For nature enthusiasts, a butterfly walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a magical experience that reveals the park’s hidden gems beyond its larger wildlife.
Butterfly Species in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest is home to a diverse number of butterfly species that can be observed during a butterfly walking safari. Hiking along the Kamiranzovu trail offers butterfly lovers an opportunity to see various butterfly species in Nyngwe Forest. The blooming flower species and orchids in the park attract countless species that visitors can enjoy.
- 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
- Macken’s Skipper / Acleros mackenii
- Meadow White / Pontia helice
- African Leopard Fritillary / Pharanta eurytis
- White-Banded Swift/ Pelopidas thrax
- Regal Swallowtail / Papilio rex
- Constantine’s Swallowtail / Papilio constantinus
- Eastern Dotted Border / Mylothris agathina
- Giant Cupids / Lepidochrysops ssp
- Small Copper / Lycaena phlaeas
- Forest Pearl Charaxes / Charaxes fulvescens
Best Spots to See Butterflies in Nyungwe Forest.
Kamiranzovu Trail: This is one of the best place where you can observe various butterfly species in Nyungwe Forest National Park. There are many orchids plants along this trail and the plant diversity attracts a lot of butterflies. The moist, varied terrain (forest, swamps waterfall areas) provides microhabitats.
Canopy Walkway: This is one of its kind in East Africa which gives visitors an opportunity to observe the forest from above. Walking through this trail allows butterfly lovers to see butterflies in the upper levels of the forest canopy species that don’t often come down to forest floor and it’s a good vantage point for spotting flying species.
Bigugu Trail: This is among the best trails where you can clearly observe butterfly species in Nyungwe Forest National Park at a high elevation. This trail has various species of orchids, wildflowers and more open terrain, which attracts unique butterfly species.
Best Time to Visit the Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is accessible year-round, but the wetter seasons from March to May and September to November, feature more flower blooms and, consequently, more butterflies. During these months, the trails can be muddy and slippery, so it’s essential to be prepared. Be sure to pack a rain jacket, hiking boots, long-sleeved clothing, a water bottle, and a camera with extra batteries, as you won’t want to miss capturing beautiful pictures.
