Nyungwe National Park Rwanda

Nyungwe National park is found in south western Rwanda on the borders with Burundi’s Kibera National Park. It actually covers some 1,000sq km on the foot slopes of the densely forested hills that push in to Burundi.

It is the largest montane forest park that dates back to the ice age yet has remained intact thanks to the intense conservation effort of the Rwanda government and the tourist board. More than 200 different trees are found within the park not mentioning ht emyriad of colorful orchids, wild flowers and giant lobelia

Wildlife

If you opted for Rwanda primates safaris, Nyungwe is your second best option after the gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. There are more than 9 different species of primates habituating the forest canopy of Nyungwe forest. Some of these include Chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, white and black acrobatic colobus among many others

Other mammals within the park include rare sights of duiker and leopard among other smaller mammals.

Birds in Nyungwe Forest have made the forest an important ornithological site in Rwanda. Nyungwe has nearly 300 bird species among then 24 of the Albertine Rift endemics. Some of the birds in Nyungwe forest include great blue turaco – an outlandish blue, red and green birds among others

Access

The main gate is found at Uwinka on the Cyangugu-Butare highway. The park is actually some 45km from Cyangugu town following the signpost on the highway and some 90km from Butare. An extensive network of well-maintained walking trails leads through the forest to various waterfalls and viewing points.

Accommodation

A comfortably rustic resthouse and perfectly situated campsite lie alongside the main road and near Uwinka Gate but you are supposed to pack lots of warm blankets as it get freezing in the night. See the aprk authoirities about camping fees and permits. Some of the famous Rwanda hotels for Nyungwe forest Park visitors include L’Hoest house, Ten to Ten Cyangugu Paradise, Gisakura guesthouse, Hotel Credo Butare, Peace Guesthouse, Hotel Faucon Butare and Hotel ibis in Butare