Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the south west of Rwanda and it’s a park of its own kind due to the amazing and interesting natural and physical features found here, The park is at the border with Burundi to the south, Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in 2004 and covers an area of approximately 970 km2 of rain forest
The Nyungwe rain forest is probably the best preserved montane rain forest in East Africa because of its location in the watershed between the basin of the River Congo to the west and the basin of the river Nile to the east. From the east side of the Nyungwe forest is one of the branches of the River Nile sources. The Nyungwe forest is known for its diversity of animal species, making it a priority for conservation in Africa and another option for tourists visit to Rwanda after experience the gorilla trekking adventure and may other activities like Golden Monkey, Dian Fossey, Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi in Volcanoes National Park.
Among the activities to take at this park include the canopy walk that is an exclusive tourist activity in east Africa, Nyungwe Forest National Park has got it all as visitors who would wish to walk through the canopy have gotten a chance to do so from here, the canopy is raised at an elevation of about 60m above the trees hence giving a fascinating view of the different tree species within the forest and the diversity of wild games plus the different bird species. Black and white Colobus monkeys also wonder how human beings interfere with their territories up on the trees.
Chimpanzee Trekking
The common chimpanzee is the second largest ape after the gorillas. Evidence from fossils and DNA sequencing shows both species of chimpanzees have got their DNA which is closely related to that of a human being with an approximate of 98% genetics. Chimpanzees are covered in coarse black hair, but have a bare face, fingers, toes, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.
The common chimpanzee lives in groups which range in size from 15 to 150 members, though some move in few numbers depending on the male which heads the group, they are said to have their communication language as humans, and this offers a reason as to why visitors are prohibited from imitating them. This is what inspires most of the visitor to come to Nyungwe forest national park to carry out chimpanzee tracking and others chimpanzee habituation.
Bird watching, over 275 bird species are found here in Nyungwe national park with almost 25species which are endemic to the Albertine region, birds to be seen also includes the Handsome Francolins, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Barred long tailed Cuckoo plus the white bellied crested flycatcher, Doherty’s and laden’s bush shrikes. White tailed flycatcher, white bellied robin chat, Rwenzori nightjar, yellow eyed black flycatcher and the Archer’s robin chat among other species
Gisakura Tea estate, this is located adjacent to Nyungwe forest national park too and it forms a beautiful scenery around the park as it can also be seen while on the canopy, visitors enjoy the estate as they interact with the local Rwandese within the estate, visitors are given a chance to also participate in the tea picking activity during the harvesting season, this offers a reason as to why you shouldn’t miss visit Nyungwe as visitors hide themselves in the cool conducive environment while enjoying what they find in the park.
