This 2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari is designed for tourists wishing to adventure into Rwanda’s largest forest to hike through the Igishigishigi trail and then go for a canopy walk and end with Chimpanzee trekking. Nyungwe is positioned at the Southwestern corner of Rwanda. It was created in 2004 and said to be one of the oldest and largest afro – montane forests in Africa.
This national park covers an area of about 970 square kilometers, comprised of bogs, swamps grassland and bamboo forests. The forest lies on an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level and expands to the border with Burundi, Congo and Lake Kivu.
Nyungwe National Park is inhabited to over 275 species of birds ,400 of tree ,75 of mammals ,20 reptiles and 12 species of primates. Some of primates’ species to see; Dent’s mona monkey, Golden monkeys, Grey cheeked mangabeys, Red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Olive baboons, Silveer monkeys, Angola colobus, Vervet monkeys and the chimpanzees.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Wake up early enough and prepare to meet our Guide/Driver for a short briefing about the tour. You will be picked at your residence or at the hotel. Start the journey to Nyungwe Forest with a stopover at the museum in Butare. At museum, you will get to learn about the cultural heritage of the people of Rwanda. If time allows, you can also stop at the Kamegeli Rock and the palace of the Nyanza King Palace, enjoy lunch at Huye. After that, proceed the journey to the park passing through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside.
Once you arrive at your hotel, you will have a yummy lunch and then take off to the Uwinka visitors center to start hiking along the Igishigishigi trail when leads to the canopy walkway. As you walk through Igishigishisi trail, you will spot several species of trees, birds and primates among others. The canopy walkway rises 60 meters suspended metallic bridge that is built on top of the trees. You will enjoy an aerial view of the forest and its creatures like various birds, grey cheeked mangabeys, baboons and colobus monkey.
After the canopy walk, you will be driven back to the lodge, relax. Have dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer back to Kigali
Wake up early have breakfast as you get ready for the activities. Chimpanzee trekking starts at 7:00 am with briefing and the experience is quite rewarding. Your driver will drive you to the park offices and visitors center in Uwinka for briefing and after, meet the park ranger to lead you into the forest but before, you will be divided into two groups. One group of people will start the trek from the Uwinka Visitor Centre and other from the Cyamudongo area. The activity can last up to 4 hours, depending on the location of the primates in their natural habitat.
On finding them, an hour is provided to spend with the primates, as you watch how they feed, play, build nests, mate among others, take photo shooting.
Note; Chimpanzees are said to share 98% DNA to human genes.
End of the 2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari.
Tour Includes;
- Chimpanzee permits
- Canopy walk fees
- Knowledgeable English-Speaking driver -guide
- Ground transport and fuels
- Enough mineral water bottle on the safari
- Full Board Accommodation and all meals on safari
- Pick-ups and drops
Tour Excludes;
- International Visas
- Laundry services
- Tips
