Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the few remaining tropical rain forests, it is home to several primate species notable for the Chimpanzee, the primates have been scientifically proven to share up to 98 % of the human DNA, the Nyungwe straddles the country’s border with Burundi extending to the Kibira National Park. It is a biodiverse ecosystem with unique experiences to encounter, there are over 1000 species of plants, several birds, amphibians and reptiles, the Canopy walk is one of a kind in the whole of East Africa. It is a whole experience you will not meet anywhere else in Africa.
The Canopy walk is an extremely intriguing experience in Rwanda, it is done on the long suspended bridge in the forest stretching 70 m high and 160nmeters long the walk along the forest is one of the guided nature walks along the Igshigishigi trail, the walk lasts for an hour and can be done by anyone above the age of 6 years, under the bridge is a thick growing forest to explore, it is suspended above the riverine forest said to have survived from the ice age, expect to see some primates, many birds of the forest, orchids, butterflies, a walk through the trail will expose you to plants, the high raising tree species in the national conservation area trails have been maintained to enhance proper guest walks it takes 2-3 hours doing the activity along you will be in a position to spot some species of birds and primates.
Other things to do in the national park include tracking chimpanzees, these live within the forest and are the most sought after when it comes to the national park, they live in troops of up to 100 members led through by a male alpha, and they are messy eaters and loud creatures, on a trek to the primates, you will be in a position to see these lovely man’s close relative, the chimpanzee requires one to have a tracking permit to be allowed to participate in the activity. Tracking black and white colobus monkeys is phenomenal! Imagine tracking the number of species all in black and white, guided nature walks in the Nyungwe Forest National Park, expect to meet some other sets of primates including the black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, dents Monamon keys, owl-faced monkeys. There are birds present within the ecosystem some of which are endemics of the Albertine and forest birds, for example, the great blue turaco, Rwenzori batis, and black-headed heron to mention a few.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is approximately 6 hours’ drive from Kigali City, it is important to book before the time of tracking, the amazing destination to meet primates, for you to enjoy the safari remember t pack right, for example, you will need hiking boots, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, insect repellents, huts, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and any other items of personal nature, the park can be assessed by both road and air transport from the Kigali International Airport.