Nyungwe is a rain forest, typically receiving in excess of 2,000mm of precipitation annually. It is also one of the oldest forests in Africa, which is one reason why it boasts such a high level of biodiversity. Nyungwe’s faunal and floral diversity is a function not only of its antiquity, but also of the wide variation in elevation since many forest plants and animals live within very specific altitudinal bands.

The Nyungwe Forest National Park lies within the Albertine Rift Eco- region, is acclaimed for its biodiversity and for being one the most endemic species rich areas in all of Africa’s most important conservation sites. The park covers 1020lm and within this area, boasts a diverse ecosystem from rain forest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bog habitats. If the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park form the single best reason to visit Rwanda, then the less publicized Nyungwe forest is probably the best reason to prolong your stay.

Extending for 1,015km sq. over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, Nyungwe protects the largest remaining track of medium- altitude forest anywhere in Africa, Nyungwe is remarkably rich centre of biodiversity with more than 1050 plant species known to occur in the national park including about 200 orchids and 250 Albertine Rift Endemics. Primates are particularly well represented, with 13 species, including a population of about 400 chimpanzees, some of which are semi- habituated to tourist visits.

Location of the park

Located south of Lake Kivu on the south- western slopes of the highland region that forms the great divide between the Congo and Nile drainage systems. Mount Bigugu is the highest mountain in the park, reaching an altitude of 2,950m, and said to be the most remote source of the Nile. The park receives more than 2000mm of the country. Infrastructure and facilities as well as tours and trails are being developed to favour tourism in this part of Rwanda that is most certainly worth visiting.

Getting there

Nyungwe Forest Reserve is bisected by the main surfaced road between Butare and Cyangugu. The Uwinka Reception Centre and Campsite lies alongside the main road and is well signposted 90km from Butare and 54km from Cyangugu. The Gisakura Guesthouse is also on the main road, 18km closer to Cyangugu, on the right side of the road and about 2km after you exit the western boundary of the forest reserve coming from Butare. Nyungwe forest lodge lies between the two.

Trails and Activities

A large section of walking possibilities and other excursions is available within Nyungwe. Visitors with a vehicle and sufficient interest could easily keep themselves busy for a week without significantly retracing their steps. The main centre of activities, the hilltop Uwinka Reception Centre is the trail head for the main network and is also a good site foe chimpanzee tracking and colobus viewing.

Canopy walk way

Canopy walk was launched in October 2010 by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Nyungwe National Park as part of a strategy to diversify tourism attractions. Canopy tourism is also aimed at encouraging tourists to spend a longer time in Rwanda. The Canopy Walk is the only attraction of its kind in East Africa. This is the first ever hanging platform that allows tourists to view different animal species in Nyungwe Forest. It allows tourists to view butterflies, birds and blue monkeys that dwell in the upper levels of the forest. The forest has 13 rare primate species, ever recorded arboreal troop of black/white colobus monkeys, and nearly 300 species of birds and 154 types of orchids. The canopy walkway experience can be undertaken as a round trip using the Igishigishigi trail.

Mangabey tracking

Sightings of grey- cheeked manageable are infrequent unless you make a special excursion, a trip which requires a private vehicle. A mangabey troop, resident in a patch of forest along the Banda road, has been habituated by researchers who normally spend every Monday and Friday with it, which are the best days to visit the moneys as they will already have been tracked down when you arrive. The moneys are usually found between 5km and 10km along the turn-off. Tracking the manageable is regarded as a formal primate visit, and must be done in the company of a guide L’Hoest’s, silver and colobus monkeys are also often seen in this area.

Chimpanzee tracking at Uwinka

A habituated chimpanzee community has its territory on the forest slopes that divide Uwinka from the village of Banda, and it can be tracked from either base. The most reliable season for tracking is April to September, when fruiting trees lure the chimps close to Banda, and they can often be seen within a kilometer of the village. At other times of the year the chimps range more widely, but they are still much habituated once you do locate them. It is advisable to start early around 5:30 in order to pick them up close to their overnight nests. The best starting point is usually Banda, which lies about 15km from the main road and about one hour’s drive from Gisakura or Kitabi and 45 minutes from Uwinka. It is also possible to track the chimps from Uwinka, but be prepared for a tough hike on steep slippery slopes.

Other trails and activities

The many trails and activities below are covered from east to west, staring with the Ngabwe trail near Kitabi entrance gate on the Butare road and ending at the Cyamundongo forest, a western annex to the main national park.

Ngabwe trail

Set on the slopes of Ngabwe near the park’s eastern boundary, this new circular trail passes through a wide variety of vegetation zones over a relatively short distance, and there is a spectacular camping/ picnic site with a toilet and benches at the summit.

Congo Nile Divide Trail

The only multi- day in Nyungwe’s Congo Nile Divide Trail Divide follows the spectacular ridge that forms the continental divide between the Condo and Nile watersheds. It’s challenging but rewarding wilderness hike, and includes a visit to sedge marsh identified as the source of the White Nile by Richard Kandt a century. There are stunning views most of the way, switch back ascents to several tall peaks, and the trail passes through a cross- section of the park’s main habitats, including bracken fields, primary and secondary forests, and bamboo forest.

Source of the Nile

It is possible to visit the newly identified source of the Nile near Gisovu Tea Factory by advance arrangement with ORTPN. It is an easy walk, taking 45-60 minutes in either direction from the trail head, but the drive there from Gisakura takes 3-4 hours un either direction on rough dirt roads.

Muzimu trail

This remote trails lies in the northeast of the park, and the trail head lies two hours’ drive in either from Gisakura. It passes through an area dominated by open heath- like vegetation and tangled scrub, and is particularly rewarding for wildflowers and non- forest birds.

Bigugu trail

This trail is steep and slippery 7km and the highest point in Nyungwe national park. Suitable only for reasonably fit walkers, the trail stars about 4km from Uwinka along the Butare road. Birders come here to see the localized red- collared mountain babbler, but the area also boasts some wonderful wildflowers, ranging from red- hot pokers and orchids to giant lobelias.

Rangiro road

The dirt road to Rangiro, which leaves the main tar road about 1.5km east of Uwinka, is regarded as the best excursion for dedicated birdwatchers, it also offers some stunning views over mountains, and is a good place to see manageable, silver monkeys, and a variety of butterflies.

Kamiranzovu Marsh trail

This botanically exciting trial leads from the forested main road downhill to the relatively low- lying Kamiranzovu marsh which is the park’s largest wetland habitat, set within a caldera like depression.

Karamba trail

One of the easiest walks in Nyungwe and best part for Dent’s Mona monkey, and the large troop that lives here sometimes keeps company with red- tailed monkeys.

Isumo waterfall trail

This superb trail starts at the Gisakura guesthouse and can be shortened by driving the first 3km to the car park forest edge. The trail can be very rewarding for true forest interior birds, with a good chance of spotting such as Ruwenzori turaco and yellow eyed black flycatcher.

Gisakura tea estate

A relict forest patch in this tea estate, only 20 minutes’ walk from the Gisakura guesthouse supports a resident troop of around 40 Ruwenzori colobus monkeys. This troop is much habituated, for more so than the larger troop at Uwinka, and the relatively small territory the monkeys occupy makes them very easy to locate and see clearly.

Cyamundongo forest

Covering an area of about 6km, this patch of montane forest, situated about 45 minutes’ drive south of the shagasha tea estate on the main road between Gisakura and Cyangugu, is now protected as an isolated annex to Nyungwe national park. Despite its small, it harbours a community of perhaps 25 chimpanzees, currently being habituated and often easier to locate than the chimps than the chimps in the main forest block in the dry season July, August. And December, when the chimps tend to range more widely in search of food, once located the chimps here are fairly approachable.

Where to stay when at Nyungwe National Park

• Nyungwe Forest Lodge is situated between the junction to Gisakura tea estate and Gisakura guesthouse; it lies about 2m from the main Cyangugu road, along a dirt road signposted to the right coming from the direction of Butare. Accommodation is in timber chalets that look out over the forest gallery, and facilities will include a spa, restaurant and boardroom.
• Kageno Eco- Lodge is set on the hillside above Banda village, about an hour’s drive north of the main Butare- Cyangugu road, this new lodge forms part of a community project that has already constructed a health centre, pharmacy and fresh source of clean water for people in the village.
• Gisakura guesthouse also known as the ORTPN guesthouse, though it is now privately managed, this cosy little place stands 2km outside the forest close to the Gisakura tea estate. It offers comfortable no- frills accommodation using clean communal showers and toilets, and serves good meals. Vervet monkeys occasionally pass through the guesthouse grounds, a fair variety of birds are present in small patch of forest in front of the guesthouse, while several sun bird species are likely to be seen.
• Gisakura tea estate guesthouse is situated on the Gisakura tea estate, about 1km back towards the forest boundary from Gisakura guesthouse, this is more basic and affordable option, but it’s advisable to call ahead before you arrive. The guest house lies less than 500m from the forest patch where colobus are resident and the area offers goo birding. In addition to simple accommodation, there is a communal lounge, beers and sodas are available at the nearby estate canteen, and meals can be arranged with a few hours’ notice.
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is idyllically situated on top of one of the hills of Nyungwe forest area; the largest single forest block in East Africa and the biggest water reservoir for Rwanda

Camping

• Uwinka Reception Centre and Campsite set in the heart of the forest, yet only a couple of hundred metres from the main road, the campsite here has a perfect location on a high ridge, with individual sites scattered over a wide area of forest. It is also the most convenient for hikers, particularly if you have no vehicle, as the trail head for the coloured Uwinka trails start from here for tracking the 400 strong troop of colobus, and for the soon to open canopy walk. A semi- habituated troop of L’Hoest’s monkey passes through every morning and most afternoons, as does the occasional troop of silver monkey and a variety of forest birds.