Why is Nyungwe Forest National Park Famous.
Why is Nyungwe Forest National Park famous in Rwanda, is the most asked question by many people worldwide. This blog aims to shed light on why Nyungwe is renowned and is the second most visited park in the country. Located in the southwestern region of Rwanda, Nyungwe is one of the few remaining tropical rainforests in Africa. The park boasts diverse ecosystems, including grasslands, wetlands, rivers, and bamboo forests, all contributing to its rich biodiversity. It is home to numerous primates, butterflies, mammals, birds, and plant species, including those that are endemic to the Albertine Rift and specific to the park itself.
Nyungwe Forest is situated in the Rift Valley, which enhances its uniqueness, as the area features distinctive wildlife and bird species not found elsewhere. The park attracts thousands of tourists from around the globe, eager to experience its breathtaking views and take part in the canopy walk, which is one of a kind in East Africa.
Bird watching is one of the reasons why Nyungwe Forest National Park is famous as the park as the park hosts over 322 bird species of which 29 bird species are Albertine Rift endemics. The park is one of the important birding areas in Rwanda and bird lovers will find a paradise in bird watching as they will enjoy the unique bird species that are only found in Nyungwe forest which makes it one of the best birding destinations in Rwanda. The bird species to spot while in Nyungwe include , Handsome Francolin, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Red-throated Alethe, Mountain Masked Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Dwarf Honeyguide, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Archer’s Robin Chat, Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Strange Weaver, Albertine Owlet, and Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Kungwe Apalis, Yellow-throated Nicator, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, and Doherty’s Bushshrike. Chapin’s Flycatcher and Red-faced Crimsonwing are also present, along with the Great Blue Turaco, Black-billed Turaco among more.
Nyungwe Forest is a sanctuary for over 13 species of primates, which accounts for more than 25% of the total primate species found in Africa. It is one of the best places to observe these primates in their natural habitats. The primate species include chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, mona monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, olive monkeys, vervet monkeys, and more.
One of the most popular activities is chimpanzee trekking, and it’s among the reasons why Nyungwe Forest National Park is famous. The park is home to more than 500 habituated chimpanzees, making it the second park with the highest number of chimpanzees in Africa, after Kibale Forest National Park. Chimpanzee trekking provides visitors with an opportunity to get close to these playful animals.
This guided activity is led by an experienced park guide who shares valuable information about the park’s inhabitants. Once you locate the chimps, you will have one hour to spend with them, observing their behaviors. You can watch how they feed, how mothers care for their young, and how they play, much like humans. It is truly an amazing experience.
The canopy walk is unique in East Africa, and this is one of the reasons why Nyungwe Forest National Park is Famous. The canopy walkway offers visitors a chance to observe the tropical rainforest from a different perspective, above the ground. This suspended bridge is 160 meters long and 70 meters high, providing a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa.
While on the canopy walkway, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the rainforest. They may also spot various bird species that inhabit the treetops, admire the colourful butterflies fluttering throughout the forest, and watch monkeys playfully moving from tree to tree. This unique experience is truly worth having at Nyungwe Forest National Park.
