Interesting facts about Nyungwe forest national park.
Fascinating details on Nyungwe Forest National Park: The oldest national park in the nation and among the oldest on the African continent is Nyungwe Forest National Park.With 1,019 km2 of dense Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, meadows, ponds, marshes, and heath, Nyungwe National Park is one of Africa’s oldest surviving tropical rainforests.
Nyungwe National Park is situated on the shores of Lake Kivu in the Albertine Rift Valley in the southwest of Rwanda, bordering Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Having existed since 1903, Nyungwe National Park was designated as a National Park in 2004. The five districts that surround Nyungwe Forest National Park are Rusizi in the southwest, Nyaruguru in the southeast, Nyamagabe in the east, Karongi in the northeast, and Nyamasheke in the west.
With over 1,068 plant species that serve as food for the many wildlife species of over 68 endemic to the park, including mahogany, which is a common plant around the forest, and over 200 tree species, including the well-known Miliantus holistic, 248 orchid species, flowering plants, giant lobelia, and vegetation zones, including sub-alpine vegetation that is dominated by shrubs and bamboo, as well as new species discovered every year, Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to Rwanda’s largest protected, stunning swamp, Kamiranzovu Swamp.
Duikers, golden cats, Klipspringer, impalas, Bushbucks, buffaloes, elephants, bush pigs, Gant forest hogs, Blotched serval, Carnival genet, Congo clawless, Mongoose, otter, serval, Felis, black-fronted duiker, western tree hyrax, and others are among the numerous other wildlife species that abound in the park.
The park is home to more than 300 bird species, including 29 endemic to the Albertine Rift: Rwenzori Turaco, Albertine owlet, archer’s robin-chat, blue-headed sunbird, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, stripe-breasted tit, Ruwenzori nightjar, Shelley’s crimsonwing, strange weaver, Ruwenzori apalis, red-faced woodland warbler, Kivu ground thrush, Handsome francolin, Mountain masked apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Regal sunbird, Purple breasted sunbird, and Red-collared babbler, among others.
You can hike on a number of trials across the park to see these birds. You will come across more birds the more routes you hike. It may be difficult to observe some species, such as the giant forest hornbill, paradise flycatcher, great blue turaco, and re-throated alethe, due to the park’s forested landscape. For this reason, it is best to accompany an experienced guide who will be able to identify the species that are present.
13 different species of primates can be found in Nyungwe Forest, including the chimpanzee, which is the most popular species to trek in the forest. Other primates that can be found in Nyungwe Forest National Park include the golden monkeys, which are occasionally sighted there. The park is also well-known for its abundance of colobus monkeys, as well as other species like the Ruwenzori colobus monkey and the grey-cheeked mangabey.
Additionally, colobus monkeys can be found in big groups of up to 300 individuals. Along the way, you may probably spot other monkeys as you follow these playful groups of colobus monkeys. These could include the blue monkey, Mona monkey, Owl-faced monkey, and L’Hoest’s monkey.
Interesting information about the National Park of Nyungwe Forest
The canopy walk
The Rwanda Development Board, a tourism organization in Rwanda, was inspired to construct a metallic walkway—the first of its kind in East Africa and the third of its kind in Africa—because Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated between 50 and 200 meters above the ground level canopy. With a length of one kilometer and a height of seventy meters above the ground, the canopy walkaways at Nyungwe Forest National Park are the longest and first walkway in Africa.
The forest is also a great place for Rwandan hiking safaris; there are 13 hiking paths in all, and you may walk along them for 1 to 8 hours while seeing a variety of flora, trees, birds, primates, and other species. Hiking is a well-known pastime in Nyungwe National Forest because of its high terrain, numerous waterfalls, and amazing fauna.
Nyungwe Forest offers hikers of all skill levels an extensive network of beautiful routes. In addition to being one of Africa’s oldest forests, hiking in Nyungwe Forest leads you past a number of waterfalls, vantage spots, and the disputed Nile’s origin.
Shorter options, like the canopy walkway, are available for hikers who prefer a more comfortable experience. Other hiking trails in the Nyungwe Forest include the Igishigishigi trail, Isumo trail, Bigugu trail, Karamba trail, Irebero trail, Uwinka trail, Ngabwe trail, Umuyove trail, Congo Nile divide trail, Rukuzi trail, Muzima trail, and Umugota trail, among others.
The park also provides visitors with outdoor activities like seeing tea farms and engaging in cultural exchanges in the nearby settlements, where you can experience the distinctive way of life of the Rwandan residents. Nyungwe Forest National Park offers incredibly fulfilling and amazing activities!
The one-only Nyungwe house, the most opulent and luxurious resort, is just one of the many luxurious lodging options available in Nyungwe Forest Notational Park, ranging from ultra-luxurious to tidy and cozy budget accommodations that will enhance your stay.
Since there is nothing separating the lodge from the Nyungwe forest, this is the only lodging that appears to be situated and connected inside Nyungwe. In addition to the nature and occasionally present Nyungwe monkeys, the services provided here are unmatched.
Along with additional activities like community walks and tea estate interactions, it provides tourists with tea plantation excursions. additional amenities include the Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Emeraude Kivu Resort, and Gisakura Visitors Center.
