Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems. It straddles the Albertine rift eco-region one of the oldest rainforests in Africa boasting natural biodiversity and endemic species in large numbers in the whole of Africa. The tropical rainforest extends to some parts of Burundi. It has the largest forest cover in the whole of Rwanda occupying an area space of approximately 1020 square kilometers. The park comprises of a rain forest, bamboo, grasslands, swamps and bog habitats protecting the largest remaining patches of montane forest.
Nyungwe was first announced by the Colonial government in 1903 following exploitation of the park, and massive poaching. Facilities were set up at the Uwinka Visitor Center but were destroyed during the Rwanda genocide in 1994. The park hosts more than 240 species of trees,140 orchids, and more than 1000 plants for example the giant lobelia. Of these many plants and trees 250 are Albertine endemic species within the park there are swamp areas with different vegetation. Mammals can be spotted here which include mongoose, Congo clawless otter, genet, civet, bushbuck, duikers, golden cats, leopards are still around although they are rarely seen, primates like vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, grey checked Mangabey, dents monkey, l’hoest monkey is the most commonly spotted.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 310 species of birds. It is increasingly thought of for the increasing birding opportunities. It’s an important ornithological site in Rwanda with 27 Albertine endemics with the highest concentration found nowhere else in East Africa. There are areas good for sighting the birds like the Gisakura tea estate, Kamiranzovu swamp, Bigugu mountain, Karamba area and on the canopy trail covering the forest canopy.
The canopy walkway within the park is superb with excellent views of the park and amazing. It is constructed on the Igishigishigi trail and leaves 1 km from Uwinka Center leading through a 200m suspended between the giant trees. You will have a chance to see what is beneath the park ground and the top most canopy. There are trails with in the park that enable tour with in the park and hikes for example the Bigugu trail, Congo-Nile trail, source of the Nile walks, karamba trail, maximum trail guided walks start from the Uwinka Visitor Center following a booking.
There are several interesting historical sites on the way to the national park, for example, the Nyanza king’s palace, national museum, intore dancers, Gikongoros genocide memorial site which one can visit while on their safari to Nyungwe National Park. The Kings province is built beautifully in the old architectural designs of the Rwanda kingdoms and old homesteads. A visit to these places will give you the best experiences while going to the in the national park.
The Uwinka Visitor Center is a great place to begin exploration, there are several waterfalls, excellent forest walks lasting for 1-8 hours, and a 3-4 day overnight hike. Cultural tourism is also practiced besides the park. The village offers local food tasting, nature hikes, basket weaving, witness local wedding setups, local handcrafts among others. It’s advisable to carry boots, insect repellents, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, long-sleeved shirts, and trousers for safety measures.
The park is approximately 225km about 5 hours’ drive from Kigali. There are many winding areas and sharp turns important to avail time to pass these corners safely, driving southwards to Muhanga, south to Nyanza leading to Huye and there west to Nyamagabe which is nearer to the park entrance.