Is Nyungwe National Park worth Visiting
Is Nyungwe Forest National Park worth visiting is the most frequently asked question by travellers planning a safari in Rwanda. Yes, the park is worth visiting, and this blog will elaborate more on the interesting things found in the Park. It’s located in the western region of Rwanda, and it’s one of the ancient tropical rainforests in Africa, covering an area of 1018 square kilometres. Nyungwe is one of the most visited parks in the country, famous for its rich biodiversity.
It hosts over 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, 120 butterfly species, 85 mammal species, 320 bird species, and 1618 plant species, including orchids. The rich biodiversity contributes to the variety of activities that the park offers, including the famous canopy walk that is unique in East Africa, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, monkey tracking, butterfly walks, hiking, and nature walks. The park caters to all visitors’ needs and promises to offer unforgettable experiences, which makes Nyungwe National Park worth visiting.
Things that make Nyungwe Forest National Park worth visiting.
Canopy Walk.
The canopy walk is one of the interesting activities in Nyungwe Forest that attracts visitors to come and experience the park from another perspective. This 160m long and 70m above the ground walkway allows visitors to observe the park from above while enjoying the breathtaking views of the forest canopies and its surroundings, like tea plantations, Lake Kivu. This is a guided walk led by an experienced park guide who gives more information about the park’s inhabitants that you may encounter. On lucky days, you might see chimpanzees swinging from tree to tree, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, bird species that stay in the canopies, various butterfly species that add to the beauty of the park, creating a unique and memorable experience that is one of a kind in East Africa.
Chimpanzee Trekking.
The park is a paradise for primate lovers, and chimpanzee trekking is one of the incredible activities that visitors enjoy in Nyungwe. It’s home to over 500 chimpanzees, which makes it the second park with the highest number of chimpanzees after Kibale National Park. This is a guided activity that starts with a briefing about the rules and regulations of the trek. Trekking involves hiking steep slopes; participants should assess their level of fitness. The duration of searching for these majestic creatures depends on their movements as they keep moving from place to place in search of food. Once located, visitors spend one hour with them observing and learning more about their behaviours. Chimpanzees are our closest relatives on earth, coming up close is a wonderful experience which makes Nyungwe National Park worth Visiting.
Bird watching.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a haven for bird watching, as bird enthusiasts delight in over 320 bird species that call it home, including the 29 Rift Albertine endemics that can only be found in the Albertine region. The Park has well-constructed birding trails that cater to all levels of fitness, whether you are an experienced birder or a beginner. Nyungwe National Park provides unique and memorable birding experiences. Some of bird species to encounter include Red-faced Crimsonwing, Blue-headed Sunbird, Handsome Francolin, Collared Apalis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Stripe-breasted Tit, Kungwe Apalis, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Strange Weaver, Albertine Owlet, Rockefeller’s Sunbird (which is very rare), Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Dusky Twinspot, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Shalley’s Crimsonwing, Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, Grauer’s Broadbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Crowned Hornbill, Brown-capped Weaver.
Nature Walk.
The park is known for its breathtaking views and beautiful scenery, making it the best destination for nature lovers, as it allows them to immerse themselves in nature. A nature walk in Nyungwe National Park is one of the amazing activities that allows visitors to explore the park on foot. There are gazetted nature walk trails which cater to all levels of fitness, from easy to challenging, all of which allow visitors to explore the beauty of the park, making Nyungwe National Park worth visiting.
