Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the famous National Parks in Rwanda; it is located in the southwest of the country; in the west of the Nyungwe National Park, it borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lake Kivu while in the south, it borders with Kibira National Park. Due to its location, Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated between the River Nile on the east and the River Congo on the west, making Nyungwe a well-preserved montane rainforest in Africa. Also, in the east sector of the Nyungwe forest, there are outlets of the Nile River sources.
Nyungwe National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site; it was established in 2004 and covers an area of 1,019 square kilometers of bogs, savannahs, bamboo, small swamps, and montane rainforests. The Rwandan Government signed a contract agreement with African Parks in 2020 to manage the Nyungwe Forest National Park for 20 years. The closest cities to Nyungwe National Park are Mount Bigugu and Cyangugu.
Nyungwe National Park experiences a dry season from June to August and a rainy season from September to May. During the rainy months, it is infrequent to see the sun.
Travelers seeking authentic safari experiences in Africa should consider visiting Rwanda and Nyungwe Forest National Park as it offers a charming environment to relax and rejuvenate. For family reunions and couple gateways, Nyungwe will be the perfect choice; landscapes and beautiful oases will capture the morality of African safari in Rwanda.
What to see on a Game drive in Nyungwe National Park
Birding Safari
Nyungwe Forest National Park is an essential safari destination in Rwanda for birding safari tours. The park hosts over 200 species of bird, including Olive, Stripe-breasted tit, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Mountain masked apalis, Albertine owlet, Dusky crimsonwing, Rockefeller’s sunbird, and Handsome spurfowl, to name a few. The rainy season is the ideal time for a birding tour in Rwanda as the Nyungwe National Park receives hundreds of Migratory birds; also, in Nyungwe, you can see the bird species that can’t be seen elsewhere, like Kungwe apalis.
Game Drives
Nyungwe Forest National Park boasts several mammal species. Due to its features of montane rainforest, about 13 primate species inhabit the park; also, rarely seen animals can be seen in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Wildlife safari to Nyungwe National Park is second to none; serving as a prime safari destination in Rwanda safaris, you will see many animals such as Elephants, Carnival genet, Mongoose, Blotched Serval, black-fronted duiker, Bushpigs, golden cats, Klipspringer, and Congo clawless to mention few.
Primates are also another animal to explore in Rwanda; you will be lucky to see Red-tailed monkeys, Den’t Mona monkeys, Ruwenzori colobus, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Silver monkeys, Owl-faced monkeys, Chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey.
Chimps trekking tour in Rwanda attracts researchers and visitors from across the globe; for a better experience, you can add Rwanda Chimps with Mahale and Gombe Chimpanzee tracking safari tours in Tanzania.
Hiking Tours
One of the best safari tour expeditions you can embark on in Rwanda is hiking; during this guided nature walk, you will be escorted by an armed safari ranger. Walking on safari is the best way of coming closer to nature and wild animals you ever wanted to see eye-closer. Kamiranzovu trail is such a unique route for hiking in Nyungwe National Park. It stretches to about 14 kilometers, where you can see different birds and amphibians. Surrounding landscapes and beautiful small hills will quench your thirst for adventure. There are also other places to do hiking in Rwanda, such as trekking to Mt Bigugu, which is situated at an elevation of 2,930 meters above sea level, and the Congo Nile trail system. All of these hiking trails offer the best Rwanda safari experience.
Cultural Tours
The cultural exchange tour is another insight into Rwanda tours, combining the wildlife safari, gorilla trekking, and Chimpanzee trekking with a cultural tour experience. Rwanda has significant ancient cultures and traditions that trace back before colonial error in Africa. After your travel expedition in Nyungwe National Park, extend the visit to a few villages to learn about their lifestyle, traditions, and norms. You will learn to make local beer, traditional dancing and dressing styles, traditional medicine, and more. Africa is quite different from Western countries in terms of food and lifestyle; visiting Rwanda is an opportunity to explore the richness of the country’s culture. You can also visit the ethnological museum in Butare, located 95 kilometers from Kigali’s capital city, where you will learn about Rwandese life before and after colonial in Africa.
Suppose you plan to visit Nyungwe National Park at East Africa Safari Guide. We advise combining your travel itinerary with a primates safari tour and gorilla trekking to Akagera National Park or Volcanoes to curate the best Rwanda Safari experience. You can always extend your trip to Rwanda with other unbeatable East African safari destinations like Serengeti National Park, Selous National Park, Ruaha National Park, or Rubondo Island holiday in Tanzania alongside Lake Kivu or Mombasa beaches for a thrilling African tour escape away.
Where to stay in Nyungwe National Park
In Nyungwe Park, there are many hotels and lodges for you to stay. The choice is yours from the budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodations. Each of the lodges will provide its unique and amazing features. Lodges like Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Lodge, and One and Only Nyungwe House, to name a few, offer a good safari experience in Nyungwe. Budget travelers can stay at Gisakura Guest House, which is perfect for travelers who don’t want to break their bank account.
Nyungwe National Park is such a beautiful park; its breathtaking view attracts travelers, and Nyungwe is the most visited park in Rwanda after Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda photography safaris are best done in Nyungwe, regardless of the season you decide to visit. The park has a 70-meter-high bridge and a beautiful walking canopy that entices great safari enjoyment in Rwanda. It allows people to take pictures from above with a gorgeous background; visiting Nyungwe is a natural and epic Rwandan adventure.
