Nyungwe Forest National Park - Safari Information
Southwest Rwanda
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Nyungwe Forest National park
Nyungwe Forest is situated in the mountainous southwest of Rwanda and protects 1,015 km² of medium-altitude forest. Nyungwe is the largest block of montane forest in east or central Africa and has existed for hundreds of thousands of years, dating back to before the ice age. The forest has an incredible level of bio-diversity, with more than 200 species of trees and a multitude of flowering plants including 200 different orchids and 1,100 different plants, of which 137 are endemic to this forest. Animal and insect species are also well represented and diverse, with 280 species of bird (26 of which are endemics), 86 mammals (14 endemics), 43 reptiles (8 endemics), 31 amphibians (15 endemics) and over 120 different butterflies (40 endemics) having been recorded. Primates are also resident and perhaps the top reason for visiting Nyungwe, with 14 resident species, including large troops of colobus monkeys that often travel in groups of 300 or more individuals, L'Hoest's monkey and several hundred chimpanzees, some of which are semi-habituated to tourist visits. A possible explanation for this huge diversity of plants and animals is that some scientists believe that Nyungwe was one of the few places in Africa to remain green during the last Ice Age.
Nyungwe is also Rwanda's primary water catchment, sheltering more than two-thirds of all of its waters. Nyungwe receives more than 2,000mm of rain and is the source of two of Africa's great rivers -- rain that falls on the east side feeds the Nile and on the west runs to the Congo (the Congo-Nile Divide is a mountain range that runs north to south through Rwanda).
For most tourists, the top reason for visiting Nyungwe is its primates and chimpanzee and other primate species are easily seen on trekking outings. Nyungwe also offers multiple hiking trails, from an easy 1.7 km trail that begins near the Uwinka Reception Centre to more difficult hikes up to 10.6 kms in distance.
Places to Stay at Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
The recently built and luxurious Nyungwe Forest Lodge is our pick for accommodation in Nyungwe. The lodge is set within the lovely Gisakura Tea Estate on the park boundary.
Accommodations for Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Nyungwe Forest Lodge
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