A Day in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Are you planning to spend a day in Nyungwe Forest National Park? Here is the ultimate guide on how to productively and fruitfully spend your day in Rwanda’s second-largest Protected Area and chimpanzee trekking destination. This guide shows which activities you can choose while spending your day, Book Now
It is undeniable that spending only a day in Nyungwe Forest National Park isn’t enough to unearth the rich diversity in this Protected Area, and planning such a short trip is equally difficult because is so much to do and see yet it’s almost impossible to achieve it in just one day. This Protected Area is situated in the southwest of Rwanda near its border with Burundi. Compared to other National Parks in the country, it will need elaborate planning and starting road trips very early in the morning.
What activities can you do in just one day in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
With only a day in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you will need to be up early for your 5-6 hours’ journey from Kigali to the Southern Province of Rwanda. For instance, if you start your journey by 5:00 am, you will be in Nyungwe by midday and ready to start your adventures.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is endowed with over 150 kilometers of hiking trails going through different areas of the Park. It has some of the best hikes in Rwanda hence making it essentially an interesting playground for adults, especially nature lovers. The activities you can do during your one day in Nyungwe Forest National Park include;
The Canopy walk.
If you wish to explore the Nyungwe Canopy walk, you will have to be prepared for 1-2 hours of breathtaking views- the deep ravine, tree canopies, and endless sights of birds, primates, and butterflies among others. The 160-meter-long and 70-meter-high suspension bridge runs above a ravine and verdant montane rainforest of Nyungwe Forest thus providing a breathtaking perspective on the ancient treetops as well as wildlife and birds.
Forest Hiking.
Be ready to explore one of the 15 hiking trails in Nyungwe, providing different distances and hiking times with options of sighting stunning flowers, wildlife species, birds, natural features (like waterfalls and swamps), and sometimes the highest peak of the National Park that provides views extending to as far as Lake Kivu or even the Democratic Republic of Congo. Depending on the duration, options to choose from include Uwinka, Imbaraga, Isumo, Irebero, Bigugu, Karamba, Umuyove, Umugote, Muzimu, Kamiranzovu, Rukuzi or Ngabwe Trails among others.
Other things to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
If you have more than a day in Nyungwe Forest National Park, then you can add Chimpanzee tracking, biking tours, Gisakura Tea Plantation Tours, exploring the longer hiking trails, community tours, and bird watching.
How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is 220 kilometers from Kigali/in southwestern Rwanda, at the border with Burundi, and is one of the popular destinations for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The easiest way to get to this Safari destination is by taking the 45-minute helicopter flight to Nyungwe from Kigali Airport. For the road, take the 5-6 hours drive by starting the journey very early. Let us know what you would like to do in your day while in Nyungwwe and our destination experts will plan for you an amazing excursion.
