Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is renowned for its diverse ecosystems including bamboo marshes, forests, wetlands, grasslands, waterfalls, and rivers that provide a habitat for various wildlife species, supports the diverse biodiversity of the park. Nyungwe National Park is one of the oldest Afro-montane forests in Africa, spanning an area of 1018 square kilometres, located in the southwestern region of Rwanda. It is the second most visited park in Rwanda after Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. It was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 2023, and it’s one of the important places for conservation in Rwanda. The park is famous for its rich biodiversity, including over 120 butterfly species and 21 species that are Albertine Rift endemics, 322 bird species, of which over 29 species of birds are Albertine Rift endemics, over 13 primate species, 86 mammal species, 38 reptiles, and 32 amphibians call this beautiful park home.
Bird species: Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 322 bird species, of which about 29 species of birds are Albertine Rift endemics, and they can only be found in Nyungwe, making it a haven for birdwatching. The park was declared an important area for birding by BirdLife International, and it is the best place for birding in Rwanda, as it caters to all levels, whether you are a beginner or an experienced birder. Nyungwe Forest National Park has the best to offer. Some of the species to spot on a birding safari while in Nyungwe Forest include the majestic great blue turaco with it’s imposing presence and stunning blue plumage, the rare Albertine Owlet, Mountain Masked Apalis, Neumann’s Warbler, Dusky Crimsonwing ,Black-necked Weaver,Red-throated Alethe, the rare Ruwenzori Turaco ,Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Dusky Twinspot, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Grauer’s Broadbill, Dwarf Honeyguide, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Golden-crowned Woodpecker, Ashy Flycatcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Holub’s Golden Weaver, and Stranger Weaver, Archer’s Robin Chat, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, Red-chested Cuckoo, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Snowy-headed Robin-chat, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, and Sharpe’s Starling,Grey Parrot, Black Bee-eater, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Yellow-spotted Barbet, and African Emerald Cuckoo, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Strange Weaver, among others.
Mammals: The mammals are among the wildlife species in Nyungwe Forest National with over 86 mammal species inhabiting the area. The mammals to encounter in the forest include African civet, bush pig, giant forest hog, marsh mongoose, wild cat, tree hyrax, black fronted duiker, side-striped jackal, golden cat, Genet servaline, Congo clawless otter, Impala,and bush back among more mammal species.
Primates: Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 13 primate species, which is 25% of the total population of primate species in Africa, and is one of the best destinations to see primates in Rwanda. Chimpanzees are the most sought-after primates in Nyungwe Forest National Park. They are highly intelligent Great Apes and are categorized as an endangered species. They share 98% of human DNA, they are believed to be our closest relatives on earth. Nyungwe Forest National Park has over 500 habituated chimpanzees that are ready to be accustomed to human presence. L’hotest’s monkeys are monkeys that stay in tropical rainforest and are Albertine Rift endemics that can only be found in Rwanda. They are marked by their short dark gray hair, large chestnut saddle patterns on their backs as well as a distinctive large patch of white fluffy fur from their throats across the sides of their heads and their ears. Other primates in the park include black and white colobus monkeys, mona monkeys, olive baboons, owl-faced monkey, blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys. Vervet monkeys, bush babies, grey-cheeked mangabey, and Dent’s monkeys.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park includes reptile and amphibian species. The park hosts over 32 amphibian species and 38 reptile species. The diverse reptile species in the park include several species of snakes like the venomous Atheris nitschei viper, the venomous black mamba and green mamba, chameleons such as the large Nile monitor lizard, Boulenger’s pygmy chameleon, and Rugege Highlands Forest Chameleon. Nyungwe forest supports a variety of amphibian species, including endemic caecilians like Boulengerula fischeri, tree frogs, mukuzira long-fingered Frog, among other species that inhabit the forest.
