Frequently asked questions about Nyungwe forest national park

Frequently asked questions about Nyungwe forest national park details information about Nyungwe national park found in Rwanda.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is probably the most preserved forest in Africa located in South West of Rwanda close to the border of Burundi in the south and Democratic Republic of Congo in the west, this beautiful forest is listed among the largest montane forest in East Africa.  The National Park is situated near to the Congo Nile divide that marks the point of separation between the catchment areas of River Congo that flows to the west emptying in Atlantic Ocean and River Nile flowing to the north emptying in the Mediterranean Sea. Nyungwe forest is considered one of the remote resources of River Nile the world’s longest River. Nyungwe Forest is an Albertine – rift montane rainforest and is the biggest high-altitude rainforest in East Africa, the forest and the park covers an area of 1,019 square kilometers.  Nyungwe Forest National Park is a primate haven of Rwanda with a huge population of chimpanzees and other 12 primate species which are endemic to the Albertine Rift such as L’Hoest’s monkey, Dent’s Mona monkeys, Angola colobus, silver monkeys, blue monkeys among others.  The forest is also home to 1,068 plant species including 140 orchids, over 332 bird species including Red-collared Babbler Grauer’s Warbler, Kungwe Apalis and 29 Albertine riff endemic species and 120 species of butterflies. Other wildlife species hosted in Nyungwe Forest include serval cats, mongoose, Congo Clawless Otter, leopards and 38 reptiles.  Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the great Rwanda safari destinations, this article answers some of the commonly asked questions about this great primate safari destination in Rwanda.  How To get to Nyungwe Forest National Park Nyungwe Forest National Park is a very accessible Rwanda safari destination and visitors can get there by either road or air transport.  By Road From Kigali International Airport, Kigali City the main gateway to Rwanda it takes a drive of about 5 hours. Along the way expect to have stopovers at several sites such as Nyinza Palace in Nyabisindu – home to the former King of Rwanda, Gikorongo Memorial, the National Museum, Arboretum among others which is entirely optional.  By Air There are domestic and chartered flights to Nyungwe Forest National Park from Kigali International Airport operated by Akagera Aviation.  What Activities to Do in Nyungwe National Park Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park Chimpanzee Trekking is the main Rwanda primate safari activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park, this activity offers an encounter with chimpanzees – man’s closet relative sharing 99% of their DNA with human being, chimpanzees are so similar to humans that their behaviors are relatively similar.  Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park starts early with briefing at the park’s headquarters for a briefing session about the rules and regulations to follow, in the groups of 8 people you will head into the forests of Nyungwe looking for chimpanzees. The trek takes about 1-7 hours depending on the mobility of the trekkers and once you find the chimpanzees, you are allowed to spend only 1 hour in the presence of the chimpanzee taking photographs and observing the chimpanzee going on with their daily life in the forest.  Each visitor needs a chimpanzee permit which can be obtained through your tour operator. Chimpanzee permits in Rwanda are issued by Rwanda Development Board.  Canopy Walk Over Nyungwe Forest Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk is an incredible wildlife safari done a suspension bridge elevated over Nyungwe National Park for about 91 meters and about 50 meters above the forest canopy, this canopy walk is one of its kind in East Africa and is considered as one of the best activities to do in East Africa. Canopy walk starts from Uwinka the main headquarters of the forest and the canopy walk is about 1-2 hours away taking the Igishigishigi trail. The activity starts at 09:00 hours each day offerinh visitors with incredible views of the forest and tree filled undulating valleys, also you will spot losts of birds and primates such as black and white colobus monkeys among others.  Birding   Birding is among the memorable safari activities to do in Nyungwe National Park, the park is home to over 300 bird species with 27 species which are endemic to rift and the rare Rwenzori turaco and the warbler birds.  Birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park offers excellent sightings of many birds living in the forest such as Chestnut Owlet, Olive and Elliot’s Woodpeckers, Great Blue and Ruwenzori Turacos, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, , Stripe-breasted Tit, the remarkable Red-collared Babbler, Archer’s Robin Chat, White-bellied Robin Chat, Doherty’s Bush-Shrike, Handsome Francolin Mountain Masked, Black-faced, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Purple-breasted and Regal Sun-birds, Chestnut-throated, Collared Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Neumann’s Short-tailed Warbler and White-tailed Blue-flycatcher among others.  Other safari activities you can do in Nyungwe National Park include guide Nature Trail Hike, visiting the Kamiranzovu waterfalls  Which Accommodations To Book In Nyungwe National Park There are several accommodation in Nyungwe National Park, these accommodations are categorized by budget, midrange and luxury and the accommodation you choose to stay during your safari will depend on your budget.  Some of the accommodations in Nyungwe Forest National Park include

• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
• Gisaku Guest House
• Nyungwe Forest Lodge
• Nyungwe House
• Gisaku Family Hostel

  What Is the Best Time to Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park? Nyungwe Forest National Park is a year-round destination meaning it can be visited all year-round meaning tourists can visit at any time of the year, however the best time to enjoy your safari in Nyungwe is during the dry season in months of June to September. In these drier months, the chimpanzees feed closer to the grounds, also the trails are less covered by the undergrowth and they are less slippery. Also, during the dry season, the birds are in the breeding season thus providing keen birders more chances of seeing different bird species. Birds are seen constructing nests preparing for the wet season.  What To Pack for Nyungwe Forest National Park Safari Rwanda as a country is general cold and has a hilly landscape and most of the safari activities include hiking, when packing for a safari Rwanda’s destination including Nyungwe Forest National Park you need to pack right, here are the items you need to pack  Hiking boots – they will help you navigate the slippery trails through the forests of Nyungwe, the shoes should be comfortable and water proof boots are the best option.  A pair of binoculars – for better views of attractions like birds, monkeys, chimpanzees among others from far range. Garden gloves – to protect your hands when you get a tighter grip on creepers when you are trekking up and down trying to locate the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest.  Insect repellents – to protect your body from bites of insects in the forests such as fire ants and mosquitoes.  Water bottle – to refresh and energize yourself during the tiresome hikes in the forest  Warm rainproof wear such as a poncho – it normally gets cold while in the forests of Nyungwe most especially during the dry seasons  Long – sleeved short and trousers– to protect you from scratches from thorny leaves which may affect your skin and protect you from insect bites  Light waterproof bag – to store your belongings together and safe from dripping water during your time in the forests of Nyungwe.  A camera – to capture some of the beautiful moments in the forests of Nyungwe Forest, make sure you carry memory cards and batteries.  Some cash to change in local currency in to Rwandese Francs for buying souvenirs, hiring a porter, tipping among others.  What Are the Dos and Don’ts of Nyungwe Forest National Park

• Feeding the chimpanzees is not allowed, chimpanzees are wild so they must look for their own meals
• Spotting on the vegetation is prohibited as they are food for primates in the forest 
• Dumping waste in the forests of Nyungwe is not prohibited as it damages the natural setting of the forest. Rwanda is a pro-ecotourism and very strict with throwing garbage anyway as a way to keep the environment as clean as possible.
• If you want to ease yourself while in the forests of Nyungwe, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you about 30 meters deep and cover everything beyond recognition.
• Do not smoke or eat while in front of the chimpanzee, they may be tempted to grab it yet they are wild animals which must for their own meals. 
• Visitors are allowed to stay only one hour in presence of chimpanzees 
• Try not to surround the chimpanzees because this makes them feel like they are ambushed
• In case you wish to sneeze or cough, do it away from the chimpanzees in order not to spread any infections to them, volunteer to stay behind in case you catch any infectious illness like flue or cough before chimpanzee trekking.

What Is the Age Limit for Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park The age-limit for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is 12 years, this is because of the nature of the trek in attempt to locating chimpanzees. The topography in the park has volcanic work that has created ridges and soft volcanic soils that are slippery, though the chimpanzees keep on moving to different locations.  Children below the age of 12 years may not adhere to the forest condition and steepness of the way, they may get tired so quickly.    Book your Nyungwe Forest Safari with Jewel Safaris