Nyungwe National Park

The Nyungwe National Park is Africa’s most biologically varied high-altitude rainforest. This 375-square-mile (970-km2) reserve in southern Rwanda, bordering Burundi, is home to 13 species of primates, including a rare subspecies of black-and-white colobus monkey that has been observed in groups of several hundred. L’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, and habituated chimps are among the other primates.

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Chimpanzee trekking has grown in popularity as more visitors have seen them on a day trip, especially during the summer when the park’s trees are in full bloom, making it simpler for well-trained guides to identify them. A canopy walkway—one-of-a-kind Nyungwe’s attraction—can be found within this gorgeous forest. Visitors can see the rainforest from a breathtaking new perspective as they ascend 200 feet (60 meters) above the forest floor between massive trees. The canopy walkway offers a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the park’s rich fauna and natural environment. Tours are available all year, and children as young as six are welcome if accompanied by an adult. It is advised to bring rain gear.

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African Safari Wildlife

African Safari Climate

Nyungwe receives more than 2,000mm of rain every year on average. This, along with the high altitudes, results in an extremely rainy and chilly environment. Temperatures in the forest are consistent all year due to its proximity to the equator. Temperatures are around 20°C/68°F during the day and around 10°C/50°F at night.

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In addition to a wide range of butterflies and over 100 orchid species, over 275 bird species have been identified, including 16 endemics. Some of the over 250 tree and shrub species can reach heights of more than 165 feet (50 meters). Wetlands, forested valleys, and bamboo zones are among the habitats found in this hilly national park. The elevation varies between 5,250 to 9,680 feet (1,600 to 2,950 m).

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African Safari Birding

Best Time to Visit

The Nyungwe Forest is open all year for chimp trekking and hiking. The wet months of October to May are ideal for chimp trekking and forest birding, although general hiking and spotting other primates may be easier during the dry months of June to September.

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African Safari Attractions & Activities

Canopy Walk

Nyungwe Forest, which covers 1,015 square kilometers, is the largest remaining area of Tropical Afro-Montane rainforest in East Africa. The canopy walk is essentially a two-hour stroll on a 200-meter-long track 50 meters above the forest cover, and it is one of the most thrilling activities to perform at Nyungwe Forest National Park. The view from the top provides an eagle’s eye perspective; panoramic views that a hike on the ground would not provide. Children under the age of six are not permitted to participate in the canopy walk for safety concerns.

Chimpanzee trekking

The Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to 25% of Africa’s primate species. The population of chimps here is only second to that of Uganda’s Kibale National Park. It should be noted that, while there are numerous pathways to follow to observe the chimps, you may need to stray off the beaten path into the forest, albeit with the guide’s assistance. The pleasant sight after the trip is typically acrobatic chimps swinging from tree branches, mother chimps hugging newborn chimps, and other sights that will not only astonish but also warm your heart.

Nyungwe Forest Bird walk

With approximately 310 bird species, Nyungwe Forest is one of Rwanda’s top birding locations. There are several species to see, ranging from Albertine Rift endemics to Forest endemics. The Great Blue Turaco, Re-Throated Alethe, Paradise Flycatcher, and Gigantic Forest Hornbill are the best and rarest to view. The Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Green Pigeons, Ross’s Turaco, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, White Headed Wood Hoopoe, Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Ruwenzori Batis, Stripe-Breasted Tit, and Regal Sunbird are among the bonus views.

Walking in the woods

If you enjoy hikes and a decent hike, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the place for you. The park includes 13 separate hiking routes where you can walk for 1 to 8 hours and see a variety of plant, tree, bird, primate, and butterfly species. The Igishigishigi Trek is the shortest trail and also includes the canopy walk, which is an adrenaline-pumping experience. The Bigugu Trek, on the other hand, is the longest trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park and can take up to 8 hours to complete. Each path provides its own unique wildlife experience, highlighting the animals that are most commonly encountered on that track. Visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park for a Hiking Safari is a good choice because it takes days to complete all 13 trails.

Colobus Monkey Trekking

Nyungwe Forest is home to 13 primate species, with monkeys accounting for more than half of them. Some of the monkeys are indigenous to this area, including the Rwenzori Colubus Monkey. Hiking one of Nyungwe’s 13 hiking routes will take you into the world of Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Owl Faced Monkeys, Blue-Monkeys, and Mona Monkeys. Further into the forest, off the usual path of the trails, and escorted by a guide, you can come across a troop of up to 200 Rwenzori Colubus Monkeys all at once, which is an unforgettable sight.

African Safari Rwanda Deals

Examples of Itineraries

Please take a look at our sample African Safari below for inspiration. Every Safari you take can be tailored to meet your individual needs. You can choose any number of days. You can choose any departure date. Feel free to choose any experience.

Primates Safari in Rwanda

This low-cost tour has been created to put you in touch with the greatest parts of this country…

7 Days

$4000/person

SHOW DEAL

Safari Rwanda Tanzania

Ideal for those looking to combine Safari Rwanda Gorilla trecking in Rwanda with Tanzania Safari ….

9 Days

$6500/person

SHOW DEAL

Best of Safari Rwanda Gorillas

The locals are welcoming, and you can track the Safari Rwanda gorillas and enjoy beautiful lakes….

10 Days

$4900/person

SHOW DEAL

Discover Rwanda Safaris

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Visa prerequisites

All travellers to Rwanda must have a passport valid for at least six months. Visas are required for all visitors except citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Kenya, and South Africa. Tourist visas with multiple entries can be obtained at your local Rwandan embassy or consulate. Visas are normally valid for three months and can be extended in Kigali on a month-to-month basis.

Medical requirements for Rwanda

Before traveling to Rwanda, you must obtain a document demonstrating that you have got a yellow fever vaccination. Furthermore, your health practitioner must document all required immunizations on a certified vaccination certificate. This document must be carried with you at all times during the tour. Malaria prevention medications should be taken by all visitors. We also recommend that you pack mosquito repellent. For the most up-to-date requirements, immunizations, and personal suggestions, always see your doctor or pharmacist!

Normally you need the following vaccinations but please always consult a doctor

-Yellow Fever (you must have this can even be checked on arrival, especially when flying within East Africa)
-DTP
-COVID19

Hepatitis

For Malaria you need to take tablets, Malarone or Lariam. Malarone is mostly used (please always consult a doctor).
Hygiene is not at the same standard as in your home country, so we advise you to bring a disinfectant cream with you. Always drink bottled water instead of tap water.

On arrival

When you arrive at the airport, our guide will be waiting for you. During safari, we use specially designed safari vehicles that allow us to have the best possible view of the wildlife. Luggage space is limited in safari vehicles (and small planes). It is therefore advised to travel with light bags, as heavy suitcases would overburden the plane and may be difficult to transport.

Money information

Money can be withdrawn from an ATM in the majority of cities. Travelers Cheques are not generally accepted, and paying by credit card is difficult or impossible outside of cities. The US dollar has typically been the preferred hard money. We recommend bringing several dollars for everyday costs and tips, and dollar bills should be no older than ten years old.

Currency Information

The Rwandan Franc is the country’s currency. Please check the most recent exchange rates before departing for your trip. This will serve as a guideline. Please keep in mind that you will get a higher exchange rate in larger cities.

AMREF Flying Doctors

We recommend that you apply for a Flying Doctors membership. If necessary, the membership enables a speedy and dependable air evacuation as well as medical assistance. AMREF Flying Doctors provides two covers (Annual and Tourist). You can pick from Maisha Silver (Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar), Maisha Gold (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi), and Maisha Platinum (Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar) (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Ethiopia). Please visit the AMREF Flying Doctors website for additional information and to join.

Language in Rwanda

Rwanda’s official languages are French and English, and the local tongue is Kinyarwanda.

When to visit Rwanda

Rwanda is open all year and can be visited at any time. However, mountain hikes, gorilla tracking, and other forest walks are more difficult during the rainy seasons (March – May and October – November). The rainy season is thought to be the greatest time to visit Rwanda for birders. It rains more frequently during the rainy season, although not every day and not all day.

What Should You Wear in Rwanda?

Daytime temps range from pleasant to hot, so pack plenty of light clothing. Evenings are chilly, especially at high altitudes (areas around Volcanoes National Park and the Virungas), so bring a sweater or two. Mountain hikers will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should dress appropriately. For woodland walks, good walking shoes and sturdy clothing are essential. Because of the dense flora and thorns, gardening gloves come in helpful during gorilla tracking. Remember to pack a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a waterproof jacket. We recommend that you avoid wearing black or dark blue clothing on safari (because they can attract tsetse flies). We recommend that you dress appropriately if you are going on a community stroll or visiting the locals. Women, for example, may wear long skirts and a blouse that conceals their shoulders. We also recommend that you avoid wearing purple clothing. Following the 1994 Genocide, Rwanda “adopted” purple as the official color of mourning.

What to bring during Rwanda Travel ?

A valid passport is required (valid for at least three months after re-entry), and visa requirements for all countries you intend to visit should be confirmed before you travel. We recommend that you bring binoculars and field guides with you to make the most of your visit to the game reserves and national parks. Wildlife photography will necessitate the use of a zoom lens (70-300 or more). Please bring plenty of memory cards with you. Toiletries and other necessities can be purchased in towns, and a torch (flashlight) can be extremely beneficial.

Rwanda Electricity

We recommend that you bring an international adaptor for your electrical equipment. The Western European system is applied in Rwanda. Most lodges allow you to charge your batteries.

Driving in Rwanda

Driving is done on the right side of the road in Rwanda. Visitors who are unfamiliar with African roads are encouraged to travel in a 4WD vehicle driven by a knowledgeable driver/guide rather than self-drive, and all of our guides are properly educated in “Defensive Driving.”

Stopover Points

Please keep in mind that washrooms along the road are not always up to European standards, such as squatting toilets, no flushing toilets, or a lack of toilet paper. T.I.A. stands for This Is Africa, as the people say.

Facilities and accommodations

When traveling on a medium to low budget, bathroom facilities and accommodations may be more basic. Keep in mind that water reserves in eco lodges are limited, and in most cases, there are no plugs in the room, but you can always charge your electronics at the reception.

Tipping

Tipping is always graciously accepted. In hotels and restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of 5-10%. Tipping guides, drivers, and carriers is always appreciated. Indication: USD 1-3 for carriers and USD 5-15 for your driver/guide each day, depending on group size, number of days, and your pleasure.

Need More Information ?

The Lonely Planet and Bradt Travel Guide are the most detailed guidebooks for Rwanda. For wildlife, the best guidebook is ‘Watching Wildlife East Africa’ from the Lonely Planet and The Bradt ‘East African Wildlife’. For birding, the best guidebook is ‘birds of East Africa’. It is advisable to get the most updated copy.

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Meet Some Happy Safari Travellers

Sight View Safaris, thank you again for a brilliant safari and stay in Uganda. Everything scored on A plus. The Ugandan people are a joyful and welcoming…….

Martin and Stella

Canada

When traveling to Uganda, there are many choices for safari companies but the service and experience provided by Sight View Safaris cannot be matched……

Isabella and Gary

USA

We went on safari with Sight View Safaris in August 2015. We cannot rave enough about what a fantastic experience this was. The most memorable experiences of my life…..

Amy

Australia

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