The 2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari takes you to Rwanda’s largest forest to hike through the interesting Igishigishigi trail, lead for a canopy walk and chimpanzee tracking. Well, Nyungwe National Park lies at the southwestern corner of Rwanda. It was established in 2004 and sounds to be one of the oldest and largest afro-montane forests in Africa. The park covers an area of 970 square kilometers, comprised of bogs, swamps, grassland and bamboo forests. The forest lies on an altitude of about 3000 meters above seas level and spread all the way to the border with Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Lake Kivu.
Nyungwe National Park is home rich to over 275 bird species ,400 of tree ,75 of mammals ,20 reptiles and 12 species of primates such as Dent’s Mona monkeys, Golden Monkeys, Grey cheeked mangabeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, Red-tailed monkeys, Olive baboons, Silver monkeys, Angola colobus, Vervet monkeys and the common Chimpanzee. Despite having one of the largest number of primates in Africa, it has no gorillas.
During, your visit to Nyungwe, can take part in many activities including canopy walks, birding, visiting waterfalls, Chimpanzee trekking, primates viewing and visiting the nearby local villages. You can visit famous Congo Nile trail passes through sections of the forest. Therefore, you can be able to see bikers, hikers and motorcyclists passing through the forest as they attempt to complete the trail.
The commonly done activities in the forests are chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walk.
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali and then Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Canopy walk
Pick-ups: On your 1 day of 2days Nyungwe, you will wake up early enough and prepare to meet our guide – driver for a briefing about the tour. After the briefing, the guide will take you for a short city tour of Kigali. Besides being a small country, it also sounds as one of the cleanest cities in Africa.
This trip includes a visit to the genocide memorial Centre, the city market and the former presidential palace.
The traveling journey to Nyungwe Forest, will allow you with a stopover at the Museum in Butare, where you can learn about the cultural heritage of the people of Rwanda. You will have an opportunity to buy local crafts and souvenirs.
If time allows, you can also stop at the Kamegeli Rock and the palace of the Nyanza King Palace Lunch will be at Huye. After visiting the King’s palace, you will continue to drive through beautiful Rwanda countryside. This will bring the truth why Rwanda is called the land of thousand hills.
Once you arrive at your hotel, you will have lunch and then drive to the Uwinka visitors Centre to start hiking along the Igishigishigi trail –which leads to the canopy walkway. While trekking through Igishigishigi trail, you will be able to spot different species of trees, birds and primates.
You will step into the canopy walkway for even more memorable view of the forest and it creatures such as birds, colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, baboons and various species of plants. After the canopy walk take about 2 hours, depending on your time. Dinner and overnight stay.
Meal plans: Half Board ‘’Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking – Transfer back to Kigali
Transfer back: Wake up early enjoy your breakfast as you prepare for an adventurous Chimpanzee trekking. After breakfast, drive to the park’s visitor’s center for briefing about Chimpanzee tracking rules. If there are many visitors on that particular day, you will be divided into two groups. Trekking starts from the Uwinka Visitor Centre or from the Cyamudongo area. As you enter into the forest, you will be welcomed by beautiful sweet sounds of birds, primates and insects.
The activity can last up to 4 hours, depending on the location of the primates that day. You will have to follow them through the forest. As you continue in search for the chimps, you will encounter more of beautiful scenery, birds, insects, butterflies, primates, waterfall among other. Once you locate them, you will only be permitted one hour, as you watch as they feed, play, build nests and many others.
Facts; Chimpanzees are our closest relatives and have unique characters.
Tour Includes;
Chimpanzee permits
Canopy Walk permits
Accommodation for one night
All meals and bottled drinking water
Ground transportation
Pick up and drop off
Park entrance.
Tour Excludes;
Air ticket and Visas
Tips for the Guide
Travel insurance ,souvenirs and other expenses of personal nature.
