Nyungwe Forest was established in 2004 as a national park and it is located in the southwestern region of Rwanda, at the border with Burundi, to the south, and Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The rainforest is the best-preserved rainforest throughout Central Africa due to its vast tourism potential. It is located in the watershed between the basin of the river Congo to the west and the basin of the river Nile to the east and the park itself covers an area of approximately 970 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs. Mount Bigugu is located within the park borders.
The rainforest is located in a region where several biogeographical zones meet and for this reason, there are a number of species of plants and animals in the forest. For this reason, the forest has been given top priority when it comes to conservation.
The park is endowed with a large collection of fauna and statistically, there are 13 different primate species which is 25% of Africa’s total, 275 bird species, 1068 plant species, 85 mammal species, 32 amphibian, and 38 reptile species. Many of these animals are restricted-range species that are only found in the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion in Africa. In fact, the number of endemic species found here is greater than in any other forest in the Albertine Rift Montane region that has been surveyed. Though the rainforest is not known for its amazing mountain gorillas, it has yet another member of the primate family which is the chimpanzee. The forest, which reaches its maximum altitude of 3000 meters above sea level, is of particular interest for the presence of colonies of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes – Blumenbach, 1775) and Angola colobus (Colobus angolensis – Sclater 1860), the latter now extinct in Angola for the intense hunt for which they were subjected.
The park has the largest and oldest area of montane forest in central Africa dating back to before the last ice age. With over 195 species of trees, the rainforest provides a good source of flower sightings with several magnificent orchids found therein. The park has been well conserved and prepared for tourism activities and therefore it has a well-maintained network of trails and footpaths linking one to the different parts of the forest. A visitor can use the two towns of Butare and Cyangugu as a base to conduct day trips with affordable accommodation available in both towns.
Tourism activities
- Bird watching as there are more than 275 species of birds recorded like the Ruwenzori turaco, Ross’s turaco, Grey –cheeked hornbill, Red-throated alethe, Red-breasted sparrow hawk, White-headed wood-hoopoe, Kungwe apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Blue-headed and Regal sunbirds to mention but a few.
- Botanical trips as there are200 species of trees and several other flowering plants.
- Mt. Bigugu and Kamiranzovu Marsh are located within the park and these are a must-see for anyone coming into Rwanda as they have played an important in the history of the country.
- There are approximately 90 species of orchids and giant lobelias and these are good attractions for someone interested in the flowers and their magnificence.
Accommodation
- One and Only Lodge
- Motel Du Mont Huye
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Gisakura Guest House