Frequently Asked Questions about Nyungwe National Park.

How To Reach Nyungwe National Park via Road

About five hours from Kigali Airport, a road journey to Nyungwe National Park starts. You have optional stopovers in route. Among them are the National Museum, Arboretum, Nyinza castle in Nyabisindu house of previous Rwandan king Gikongoro Genocide Memorial, so much more.

via Air

Rwandan Air provides charter flights from Kigali airport to Nyungwe National Park on request and prior booking.

Activities Found in Nyungwe National Park

Trekking Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park
Trekking is the main activity in Nyungwe National; the habituated Chimpanzees are very adapted to human people as they share 99% of their DNA with human beings and exhibit quite similar habits. Once chimpanzees are discovered, only one hour is spent interacting with them, taking pictures and posing different questions to the seasoned ranger guide. A group of eight people is let to do gorilla trekking in Nyungwe, and the trip takes one to seven hours depending on the mobility of the trekkers.

Although the chimpanzee permits are offered at Rwanda Development boards for USD90 per person each trip, they may also be purchased for online and with present evidence before Chimpanzee trekking.

Walk Over Nyungwe Forest from Canopy
When it comes to canopy walk, which lets visitors get a good view of Nyungwe forest, a suspension bridge erected above Nyungwe National Park ranks highest in East Africa, around 91 meters above the forest canopy. Only Nyungwe National Park in all East Africa has this unique climb. From Uwinka, the main forest headquarters, the Igishigishigi route is about one to two hours distant.

Starting at 0900 h every day, the Canopy walk offers amazing views of the forest and rolling valleys full with trees. Many birds are seen swooping over the large canopy. Many individuals have described unique life-changing events from the canopy, including proposals, birthday surprises, and much more.

Birding in the Nyungwe National Park
A Nyungwe forest National Park birding trip would be well worth adding to a Rwanda bird enthusiast’s calendar. On the Albertine graben, this tropical forest shares a suitable habitat to support a great birdlife including over 300 species inclusive of 27 which are endemic to rift and the rare Rwenzori turaco and the warbler birds, Shelley Crimson wing, Kungwe Apalis, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Malachite Sunbird, Dusky Turtle Dove to mention but a few.

Outdoor camping in Nyungwe National Park
Add to your trip in Nyungwe National Park staying in the midst of nowhere and listening to the forest cries on a campsite. You may set up tents, sleep with wild lullabies, and wake up to bird cries from the forest on the camping site of the Uwinka Visitor Center. The location already has a campfire spot, a wooden platform for tent pitching, toilet facilities, and baths.

Hike the Nature Trail
On a 4-hour to 3-day trip, Nyungwe National Park has peaceful natural surroundings fit for trekking. The most difficult track in the forest is Imbaraga, followed by the Igishigishigi trail, Congo Nile trail, and 130 km path put out for trekking.

You must make ready your hiking equipment to savor the unique experiences in the forest and save memories to turn over and over. A camera, trekking boots, energy bites, binoculars, and much more.

Primate strolls
Among the many monkey species found in Nyungwe National Park—which is biodiverse—are the Angolan Colobus monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkey, Hamlyn’s monkey, Rwenzori colobus, red-tailed monkey, golden monkey, silver monkey, to name but a few.

Waterfalls Visit
The woodland is a water catchment region with many rivers running over it that sometimes produces spectacular waterfalls. The most remarkable is Kamiranzovu Waterfall; locally, this name means “swallowing an Elephant”.

The Kamiranzovu Swamp that feeds the falls gave them their name. The falls are breathtakingly visible at the conclusion of nature walks.

Which lodging facilities Nyungwe National Park offers?

Both staying within and outside Nyungwe National Park lets you take in its amazing sights. Your budget will provide you access to a large spectrum of lodging options. Their grades follow Luxury, Mid-range, and Budget categories for lodging establishments.

Among the many lodging facilities in Nyungwe National Park are Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisaku Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, Gisaku Family Hostel, and others.

When should one visit Nyungwe National Park?

Though the dry months June through September are more colorful, Nyungwe National Park is available for visitor visitation all year round. Because the ground dries and foliage covers less of a track, the chimpanzee feeds closer to the ground.

Many birds in this park breed more during dry seasons, which increases opportunities for skilled birders to see many species. The park hosts bird fiesta all day long as the birds are also busy building nests to see them through the rainy seasons.

What should one pack for Nyungwe National Park?

Since Rwanda is a mainly chilly hilly nation, most safaris involve trekking. For a safari to Nyungwe National Park, you must take appropriate equipment.

In damp locations, the soils are humid and slippery, hence hiking boots are ideal for usage on slopes with less challenge.
Two binoculars would let one have a better view of far-off sights such birds, monkeys, chimpanzees, and others.
Insect repellants to guard your body from all-day roaming stinging insects over the woodland.
Garden gloves can help you to hold creepers more tightly, particularly on the way to find the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park.

Water bottle to carry drinking water for forest difficult walks to rehydrate.
Toiletries should be simply in case your lodge or motel runs without any
A ponch is a warm rainproof garment as, particularly in the wet seasons, the forest becomes chilly.
Long-sleeved shirts and pants as the wilderness features biting insects that could damage your skin.

a light waterproof bag to hold your items together and protected from dripping water from the leaves.
a camera to save Nyungwe National Park experience memories. And a fully charged extra battery to replace running low.

If you want to do any kind of transaction—buying souvenirs, hiring a porter, tipping, so much more—some cash to convert into local money.
Nyungwe National Park’s dos and avoid rules
Chimpanzees are wild creatures who have to search for their own food, therefore no feeding them.

Primate food in the forest comes from the plant, hence spitting on it is forbidden.

Dumping wrappers or any other garbage disturbs the forest’s natural habitat so no dumping should be done. Rwanda also supports ecotourism and strictly forbids discarding trash anywhere to maintain the state of the environment as best as can be.

Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole approximately thirty meters deep and bury everything beyond recognition in case you want to ease yourself.

Eat and smoke not in front of the chimpanzees. Although they would be tempted to take it, wild animals have to hunt for their own food.

One hour is allotted to be spent with the chimpanzees so they may be released to feed.

Try not to encircle the chimpanzees as this causes ambushing.

Should you want to cough or sneeze, do so away from the chimpanzees to avoid infecting them. Before chimpanzee trekking, volunteer to remain behind in case you develop any infectious disease such flu or COVID-19.

The Age Limit for Chimpanzee Trekking at Nyungwe National Park

In Nyungwe National Park, chimpanzee treking is only allowed for those fifteen years of age. This is so in line with the nature of the search for the chimpanzees. There is volcanic activity in the terrain that produced soft, slippery volcanic soils and ridges. Even the chimpanzees keep you moving once you find them.

Young children under the age of fifteen may not follow the forest rules and steepness of the path. They get weary quite fast.

Please contact us by email or WhatsApp if you would like more information on often asked questions about Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda on what to do, how to get there, when to visit, and where to stay. We will then advise you appropriately. Trip adviser strongly recommends Katland  Safaris; if you want to visit Rwanda and Nyungwe National Park, please make Katland  Safaris your first pick.