NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
Is considered one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the Lhotse’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift. Visitors can choose to sample the delights of the forest or indulge themselves for a week or more in one of Africa’s most stunning forests. Primate tracking tops most visitor’s list, but it’s worth lingering a little longer for those with time to relax and take in the primal atmosphere.
With plenty of rainfall, Nyungwe is also the major catchment area in Rwanda, and supplies water to 70% of the country. A ridge running through the forest forms a watershed between the drainage systems of the Nile and the Congo. A spring on the slopes of Mt Bigugu is said to be the most remote source of the Nile, the world’s longest river.
Best time to visit
From December to January – These months are excellent for chimp trekking and its when you can avoid the worst rains.
June to September are also a good time to visit although it’s the country’s peak season in tourism. This is when most people visit Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee trek
- Walking up to the Isumo waterfall or along the Canopy Walk suspension bridge.
- The birdwatching is among the best in Africa with 322 birds’ species.
- Tea plantations which border the edges of the park, with a habituated troop of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys at
- Gisakura as well as forest fringe birds.
- Botanists will marvel at the 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids including the 75 known mammals in Nyungwe, such as the serval cat, mongoose, congo clawless otter and leopard to name but a few. Many tend to be shy so sightings are luck of the draw.
Our Favourite Properties
One & Only Nyungwe House
This property was previously known as Nyungwe Forest Lodge. It is nestled within the jungle on the lodge’s working tea plantation, Gisakura. The lodge lends you a chance to witness captivating wildlife and dramatic mountain landscapes blanketed with greenery.It is also a transformed, idyllic luxury eco-lodge offering once-in-a lifetime experiences in the heart of magical Rwanda.The lodge has its treetop-skimming, luxury rooms and suites secluded in wonderfully wild surroundings. See more.
Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
This magnificent lodge is privately owned by a Rwandese entrepreneur and conservationist. As the names suggests the hotel is built on top of one of the hills positioning it to have one of the most beautiful views in the Nyungwe Forest area.The cottages have been built to fit the local environment with a mixture of Rwandese traditional art work and the modern interior design and furnishing which renders visitors to comfortably enjoy the spectacular and serene environ. See more.
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