Getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park, In the southwest of Rwanda, between Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is Nyungwe Forest National Park. To the south, the park shares a border with Burundi. It is close to the town of Cyangugu, which is about 225 km away and takes about 6 hours to drive from Kigali.

From Kigali, you can either drive or fly to the park. You can’t walk there, though, because it would take too much time and effort. How to get to the national park is something that everyone planning a Rwanda wildlife tour that includes Nyungwe Forest National Park should know of.

Ways to Get to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

You can drive, fly, or sail to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park. All of these places have good public transportation systems that are safe, cheap, and open all year.

How to Get to Nyungwe National Park on the Road.

Most people who visit Nyungwe National Park get there by driving. The cheapest and most exciting way to get to the national park is by car. During the ride, travelers can see more of the countryside and admire Rwanda’s rolling hills. They can also stop at a number of attractions along the way, such as the King’s palace in Nyanza, the national museum in Butare, and the Gikongoro genocide memorial center, where they can learn about Rwanda’s history and see some interesting sights.

People who come by car with a tour guide for a Rwanda chimp tour set up by a tour company can stop as many times as they want. The driver-guide will drive slowly through interesting areas and stop at certain attractive spots. It takes about six hours to drive from Kigali to the national park.

When traveling south from Kigali, people go through a number of towns, including Huye, which is only 32 kilometers away on a very smooth road with a few sharp turns that require extra care. People who want to drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park may find these routes useful. From Kigali, go southwest to Muhanga, then south to Nyanza, and finally east to Huye town. From Huye town, drive west to Nyamagabe, which is close to the park’s gate.

Another way to get to the park is by bus, though most of them won’t take you inside the park proper, some will drive through it. Take a bus from Kigali’s Nyabugogo bus stop to Rusizi to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Get off at the Uwinka visitor’s center in the park.

In order to travel by bus, people have to spend a lot of time on the road, sometimes up to 8 hours. Because of this, it is very important to plan ahead. Travelers should get to the bus stop very early in the morning and get on the first bus that leaves.

People can take public transportation from Kigali to Rusizi. Ritco Express goes from Kigali to Karongi and then to Rusizi. Alpha Express goes from Kigali to Nyungwe and then to Rusizi. And Omega Express also goes from Kigali to Nyungwe and then to Rusizi. Since these public transportation companies charge a lot, this choice is only good for people who have lived in Rwanda their whole lives.

Things You Should Know About Lake Kivu

By Air, You Can Get to Nyungwe Forest National Park
The fastest and most expensive way to get to the park is to fly to Nyungwe. From Kigali to Kamembe International Airport, there are a lot of chartered planes that you can take. At least nine local flights are run by RwandAir every week between Kigali International Airport and Rusizi’s Kamembe Airport. It takes about 32 kilometers to get to the One & Only Nyungwe Forest Lodge from Kamembe International Airport by helicopter. Kamembe International Airport is only a short drive from another getaway.

People who fly with Akagera Aviation go from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park in a chopper. This chopper ride is a great way to see beautiful sights along the way, like the fields of Gisakura tea plants.

How to Get to Nyungwe Forest National Park by Boat
Getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda by boat is a great and exciting way to see the park. People from Rubavu or Karongi-Kamembe can take a boat ride to Nyungwe on Lake Kivu. On this boat trip on Lake Kivu, you can meet a lot of interesting people. It could take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours.

Going to Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is not hard, and you shouldn’t make it seem that way. You will have a lot less trouble if you plan your trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park ahead of time. But the best and fastest thing to do is to have a tour operator take care of all the planning for you. When you book a trip through a tour company, they will usually take care of your transportation while you are on safari. Get in touch with a reputable tour company to start planning your trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Things to do while you’re in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park: a look into how chimpanzees live in the Kibale Forest.
After Kibale Forest National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park has the second most chimpanzees of any park in Africa. You can look for these great apes on a number of trails in the park. There will be chances to see chimps swinging from tree to tree and mothers holding their babies while you hike.

You have to be at the trekking spot early in the morning to learn what to do and what not to do while you’re in the bush with the chimps. The trek starts at 5 a.m. Before you can hike with chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you need to get a Chimpanzee permit. You can get this from the Rwanda Development Board or a reputable tour company.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a great place to watch birds.
There are 29 bird species from the Albertine Rift Valley that can be found in Nyungwe Forest National Park. These include the Great Blue Turaco, the Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, the White Headed Wood Hoopoe, the Re-Throated Alethe, the Paradise Flycatcher, the Gigantic Forest Hornbill, Green Pigeons, Ross’s Turaco, the Francolin, the Rwenzori Turaco, the Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, the purple-breasted and blue-headed sunbird, and the Rockefeller. Because this is a forest, it might be hard to find birds on your own. That’s why you will have a professional guide with you as you walk through the forest to look for different kinds of birds.

There is a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

With an area of 1015 square kilometers, Nyungwe Forest is the largest remaining Tropical Afro-Montane jungle in East Africa. Canopy walk in Nyungwe forest is a great thing to do while you’re in this park. It’s a three-hour thrill ride on a 200-meter-long track that’s 50 meters above the forest canopy. The view of the Nyungwe forest from the top of the trees is amazing, like looking down from above. As you watch the monkeys swing from tree to tree, you may also see different kinds of birds.

Going on a trek with Colobus monkeys in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

The Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to 13 different species of primates. Monkeys are by far the most common. The Rwenzori Colobus monkey lives in this forest. There are also Blue-Monkeys, L’hoest Monkeys, Owl-Faced Monkeys, and Mona Monkeys that you will see.

When is the best time to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park to go chimpanzee trekking?

In Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park, the best time to go chimpanzee trekking is in June, July, or August. This is when the fig trees have fruits that chimps like to eat, which makes it easy to find them. Chimpanzee trekking is only possible in two groups, and each group can hold eight people. Because of this, you need to make plans at least three to four months ahead of time to go chimpanzee trekking in this park.

Find a place to stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

There are several hotels in Nyungwe Forest National Park. They are Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Visitor Center, and Nziza Eco Lodge. To make an appointment, please get in touch with us here.

What should you bring with you on your tour to Nyungwe Forest National Park to see chimpanzees?

As the trip takes place in the forest, you may come across bugs and plants that can sting. To protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles, and biting ants, you should also wear a long-sleeved cotton shirt and light long pants. List of Things to Bring for Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park;

Bug spray with a torch or flashlight

Long-sleeved shirts and pants (don’t wear bright colors; stick to neutral or dark colors).
The camera and some extra batteries
Wet wipes, a water bottle, and good lenses for your camera.
Dry and comfortable hiking boots and socks.