admin – Nyungwe Forest National Park

Where to Go with 4×4 Car Rental in Rwanda?

Rent a car in Rwanda to gain unparalleled freedom in your travels. A road trip in Rwanda’s national parks gives you the flexibility to make unplanned stops, see roadside attractions and small towns. There are many attractions to see and do in Rwanda providing many stops and adventures.

Having a rental car in Kigali allows you to go off the beaten path, stay at unique lodging, pick exactly what you want to do and see, leave when you want and explore at your own pace. The options are limitless when you rent a car in Rwanda to have a more adventurous trip.

Visit Kigali Memorial Center

This is one of the central memorials not to be missed when you visit Rwanda for a tour. In span of 100 days, an estimated one million Tutsi and moderate Hutu were systematically butchered by the Interahamwe and army. This memorial honors the estimated 250,000 people buried here in mass graves and tries to explain how it was that the world watched as the genocide unfolded. This is an intensely powerful and moving memorial for which you should dedicate at least half a day.

Visit the Volcanoes National Park

Explore Volcanoes National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas, offering a rare chance for intimate encounters. The 160km Volcanoes National Park protects the Rwandan sector of the Virunga Mountains, a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes that straddle the Ugandan and Congolese borders and protect more than half the global population of the charismatic mountain gorilla.

Mountain gorilla trekking is the main popular tourist activity in the park, so don’t miss out to visit this park for a-lifetime-experience. However, a wide variety of other hikes and activities are offered, making it possible to spend several days in the area without running out of things to do.

But, the most popular activity after gorilla tracking is a visit to a habituated troop of the rare golden monkey, an Albertine Rift endemic whose modern range is more-or-less restricted to the Virunga’s. Also quite popular is the hike to Dian Fossey’s former camp and grave on the forested slopes of Karisoke. Fewer visitors embark on the more demanding day treks to the summits of Bisoke famed for its beautiful Crater Lake or Muhabura, and fewer still are up for the overnight hike to the highest point in the range, the summit of Karisimbi.

Visit the Akagera National Park

One of East Africa’s diverse national parks with both the white and black rhinos, giraffes, zebras. Located in the Eastern province of Rwanda, the park can easily be accessed from Uganda via Mirama hills border and from Kigali.

Named after the river that runs along its eastern boundary, Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s counterpart to the famous savannah reserves of Kenya, Tanzania and the like. The park provides opportunities for those wishing to see the coveted Big Five. The park provides opportunities for those wishing to see the coveted Big Five.

Akagera also still retains a genuinely off-the-beaten-track character: this is one African game reserve where you can still drive for hours without passing another vehicle, never knowing what wildlife encounter might lie around the next corner.

As for the coveted Big Five, buffalo are plentiful and easily seen, elephants are quite common but more difficult to track down, and leopards are present but secretive as ever. For the best part of two decades, lion sightings here had been little more than the stuff of rumour, but with the June 2015 reintroduction of seven lions (two males and five females) flown in from reserves in South Africa, Akagera is once again home to the most charismatic member of the quintet.

Visit Nyungwe National Park

The endless mountain and valleys don’t stop as you head south towards the border with Burundi. While the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park tend to garner almost everybody’s attention, southwestern Rwanda id home to East Africa’s largest montane forest, Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the most primate rich areas in the world, the region is also home to the historic colonial and intellectual center of Huyu Butare, which plays hosts to one of East Africa’s best ethnographic museums.

For most visitors who come to Rwanda, primates are the main attraction in this park. All the 13 species are represented, including a chimpanzee population estimated at around 500, which can usually be tracked at short notice, but several other monkeys are readily see, including the acrobatic Ruwenzori Colobus and the localized L’Hoest’s monkey. Nyungwe is also highly alluring to birders, botanists and keen walkers, with its 130km network of walking trails, and is it is the site of the region’s only suspended canopy walk.

National Museum of Rwanda

If you’re in Huye, do allow time to visit this beautifully presented collection of exhibits on Rwandan history and culture. As you approach Huye on the Kigali road, you’ll see its colorful fence on the right. Opened in 1988, and presented to Rwanda as a gift from Belgium’s King Baudouin I.

It is situated on more than 20ha of land containing indigenous vegetation and a traditional craft training center as well as the main 2,500m² museum building, whose seven spacious rooms illustrate the country and its people from earliest times until the present day. At the reception desk, various English-language pamphlets and books are on sale, and most displays are labelled in English as well as Kinyarwanda.

Lake Kivu

One of the top must be visited in Rwanda. Running along the Congolese border for 90km, the 2,370km² Lake Kivu is one of a string of ‘inland seas’ that submerge much of the Albertine Rift floor as it runs southward from the Sudan to Zambia.

It is very a beautiful lake, hemmed in by steeply terraced escarpments containing several peaks of 2,800m or higher, including the smoking outline of volcanic Nyiragongo in the far north, and it has long served as a popular weekend getaway for residents of this otherwise landlocked country.

Lake Kivu is very pleasant to take a swim from the hotel beaches. Also, boat tours are available with as absolute highlight the swimming herds of cows that go from island to island. And a lovely sunset in the evening thanks to the west facing direction.

Explore Rwanda’s Tourist Destinations

Nyungwe Forest National Park – One of the oldest rain forests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Primate tracking tops most visitors’ list, but it’s worth lingering a little longer for those with time to relax and take in the primal atmosphere. An estimated 500 chimpanzees live throughout the forest, making fresh nests in the treetops each evening.

The bird watching is among the best in Africa with 322 birds’ species including Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species. Butterflies are also a common sight, with at least 120 species.

Memorable and photogenic moments include walking up to the Isumo waterfall or along the Canopy Walk suspension bridge. Tea plantations border the edges of the park, with a habituated troop of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys at Gisakura as well as forest fringe birds.

Akagera National Park

The relatively warm and low-lying plains of Akagera comprise Savannah, woodland, wetland and a dozen lakes. In partnership with African Parks, aim is to transform the National Park into a world-class location to experience a safari.

The largely open expanse is ideal for game viewing, and we are taking steps to ensure the Big Five roam the park in greater numbers over the course of time. This is through game drives either in the morning or afternoon.

A family of lions from South Africa is settling in well, and breeding successfully, and 18 eastern black rhinos have also been reintroduced. Visitors can also encounter buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, an incredible 490 bird species, plus much more.

A boat trip on Lake Ihema is also a highlight of any visit to Akagera, with its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and abundant water birds on the island in the middle of the lake.

Volcanoes National Park is a national park in north-western Rwanda. It covers 160 km² of rain forest and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.

With just a 2 hour drive on road from Kigali is Volcanoes National Park Located in north-western Rwanda bordering Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, this park is part of the Virunga Mountain Range and home to the World’s Endangered Mountain Gorillas, 5 of the 8 beautiful Virunga Volcanoes, the rare Golden monkeys, numerous bird species, and having a historic connection to the American primatologist Diane Fossey who grave yard is in between Mount Karisimbi & Mount Bisoke at her originally established Karisoke Research Centre where she could do her gorilla studies from.

There are twelve habituated mountain gorilla groups that tourists encounter with. Apart from visiting the gorillas, there are Volcano Hikes, Diane Fossey Tomb Hike, Bird Watching, Golden Monkey Trekking and other after trekking activities such as Cave Exploration specifically the Musanze Caves, Cultural encounters around the park like visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Rwanda gorilla trekking permit cost is around US$1,500 per person. They book out well in advance as numbers are strictly limited, and so if you are keen to go gorilla trekking during peak season you sometimes need to book as early as 04 months in advance.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is possible throughout the year but there are particular months that present the best time to visit Rwanda for trekking through the forest and seeing the gorillas. A time to avoid would be March to May as this is the long, rainy season in Rwanda.

The heavy and persistent rains are intensified in the rain forest and as a result, the terrain becomes extremely wet and muddy, making the hikes particularly challenging. The positive of heading this time of year is that the gorillas usually reside lower on the slopes of the forest, so although the hike can be tough, the actual distance you walk may be much shorter than other times of the year.

Lake Kivu is one of the popular Tourist Attractions in Rwanda and the biggest watershed in Rwanda surrounded by different resort towns with treasured beaches specifically Gisenyi and Kibuye. These resort towns have plentiful guesthouses/hotels, restaurants, and waterside sandy spacious grounds for visitors who wish to have a little rest and relaxation.

Whether your pleasure is found in sunbathing in the sand or getting wet and wild swimming in the water, visiting different islands on the lake in a Boat or Canoe, undertaking water sport activities like Kayaking – Lake Kivu is a perfect place in Rwanda to unwind.

Hiking some of the steep hills as you interact with the local community, Picnicking, Coffee & Tea Plantation Tours and Cycling on the Congo Nile Trail are just a few of the other activities available when paying a visit to Rwanda’s Lake Kivu.

Kigali Genocide Memorial Grounds

A place of remembrance and learning! This Genocide Memorial site is located in Kigali city the capital of Rwanda in Gisozi just ten minutes’ drive from the centre of the town, Kigali Genocide Memorial Grounds commemorates and acts as the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi.

The museum features exhibitions with archives of video testimonies from Genocide survivors and rescuers, perpetrator testimonies from court proceedings, footage from annual remembrance ceremonies (Kwibuka), archival photographs for the fallen victims hanged on walls, colonial documents, identification records, maps, foreign serials and propaganda publications and you can visit the Museum for educative, personal and research purposes to know detailed information about this horrific incident through events and historical implications of the Genocide.

King’s Palace Museum

visiting one of the country’s museums, the King’s Palace Museum as the museum is strategically located in Nyanza Town along the road to Nyungwe National Park just two hours’ drive from Kigali city.

Aside from discovering memorial sites in Kigali and outside the city areas, a visit to this museum is an interesting Tourist Attraction in Rwanda that will give you an insight into the deep culture and colonial & traditional ruler ship of kings of Rwanda starting from showcases such as the star attraction at the Museum which is the Inyambo (sacred cows) and their staggeringly large curved horns, the replica of a King’s Palace from the 15th century with a thatched roof, royal hut, and fresh milk hut, locally made beer hut traditionally run by an unmarried virgin girl and boy respectively.

The colonial-style home that was once the royal residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa in the mid-20th century featuring portraits of the different reigning kings and queens plus the interior design which is particularly striking, blending Rwandan patterns with European-style furniture (some of which was actually owned by the king).

Your visit will be spiced up with traditional performances of traditional singers lulling the Inyambo Cows into a mellow state through poems – a ritual that’s unique to the country of Rwanda alone. The King’s Palace Museum is definitely one of the top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda.

Kigali City is well known as the cleanest city in Africa and has thus quickly transformed into a vibrant and exciting city with a mix of both tradition and modernity offering a lot of markets to visit, Art Galleries, Museums and Memorial centres, night meander fascinating places to keep you out of your hotel room boredom before or after your safari. Explore this exciting but yet calm city as you take off some few days around to indulge into the vibrant cultures, cuisines and fascinating sceneries that Rwanda’s capital city has to offer.

Check out tailor made fabrics from swirling patterned textiles and experience the energetic atmosphere as you interact with local vendors about how they go about their daily business as well undertake the bargaining power tactics used to win your favourite price for all your shopping items at Kimironko Market the largest market place with anything you may need around its every corner.

There are many art craft shops if you are interested in artefacts such as Inema Arts Centre, Rwanda Art Museum at the former Presidential Palace to get creative scenes of local arts made by the local artists and as well get to see the remains of debris from the presidential aircraft that crashed in 1994 at the former Presidential palace.

Luxury Safari Lodges in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda

One & Only Nyungwe House is set on a dramatic mountainous edge of the Nyungwe Forest, the charismatic Nyungwe House is a dreamy forest retreat. Guided excursions take you through one of Africa’s oldest rain forests to source old primate species and rare birds amidst a primeval setting of indigenous orchids, bamboo and giant bracken ferns. The Nyungwe forest is believed to have remained lush-green even through the Ice Age which explains much of its sustained biodiversity.

Engage with Rwandan culture at the estate’s working tea plantation discovering East African stories and crafts. Back at the lodge, enjoy every creature comfort and hospitality from gourmet local cuisine, Rwandan coffee for breakfast and luxury treatments at the One & Only Spa.

23 luxury rooms and suites housed in 5 villa structures, All rooms feature balconies with views of Nyungwe Forest, All rooms feature an open fireplace with fragrant eucalyptus wood, Natural linen and textiles crafted by the Rwandan people, Authentic local and world cuisine in a variety of settings, Fresh ingredients from the chef’s own garden, Gourmet picnics packed to take on hikes, Outdoor yoga pavilion overlooking mountain vistas, Holistic therapy treatments at the One & Only spa, Cultural initiatives and interactions with Rwandan customs as well as An idyllic infinity pool with bar lounge.

Nyungwe House situated in a tea plantation close to the Nyungwe forest. This lodge was the first ever 5-star accommodation establishment in the region. It has some of the best facilities in Rwanda and very good service.

Nyungwe House has luxury facilities such as a gym and a swimming pool, and overlooks the forest canopy so you are guaranteed some good views of the scenery in the area. It has comfortable luxury rooms, one of them even has a Jacuzzi.

Board basis is full board and it includes meals. You can either dine outdoors, or in the restaurant, or in your room. There is access to WIFI, and telephone services, so you can communicate to people back home. There are also sate-lite TVs in the rooms to keep you in touch with the rest of the world.

Guests at the lodge have the opportunity to go chimpanzee tracking, go on guided walking through Nyungwe forest, and enjoy the canopy walk and bird watching in Nyungwe forest national Park.

Nyungwe House

Set right beside an ancient rain forest alongside a working tea plantation lies the One & Only Nyungwe House. You will be totally immersed within the area’s wildlife and incredibly warm culture. Dining amongst the wilderness with delicious nibbles available, settled beside the warmth of a burning fire, this is the perfect secluded oasis to enjoy the sights and sounds of the African bush.

Literally taste the rain forest with freshly prepared food grown right on the doorstep. Step out of your luxuriously designed room set in a completely private area and enjoy a totally romantic experience.

Indulge in a number of fantastic activities such as mountain biking, nature trekking or just sit back, relax and enjoy the surrounding area, it is what you want it to be.

Accommodations in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Welcome to Nyungwe Forest National Park and here are several lodges and camps to stay on your Rwanda safari in this park. Among the lodges to stay include the Gisakura guest house is a small and friendly functional guest house accommodation facility which is located 2 kilometers away from Nyungwe Forest National Park, in a close proximity to the Gisakura tea estate on the road from Cyangugu.

The property is a comfortable and affordable place to stay for Nyungwe Forest National Park’s travelers. The property’s location is ideal for Nyungwe canopy walks, birders to this birder’s dream location and for travelers wishing to track chimpanzees and the rare Colobus monkeys in Nyungwe forest.

Gisakura Guest House offers guests the opportunity to visit chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest National Park, different walking trails, the top canopy walkway, the unique bird species of the Central African Highlands, a variety of more than 120 orchid species, and endemic tree species. A Colobus troop living on the Gisakura Tea Estate and a group of vervet monkeys occasionally pass through the grounds, making for interesting wildlife viewing on the premises.

A number of nearby relic forest patches offer small rambles, good birding and the chance to encounter forest monkeys. A fair variety of birds are present in the small patch of forest in front of the Gisakura Guest House and many other trails in Park. Many of the birds in Nyungwe forest are endemic to the area thus making bird-watching a unique experience.

ONE & ONLY NYUNGWE HOUSE

In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border, One & Only Nyungwe House is nestled amongst the rich tea-plantations of Gisakura, on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe Forest National Park. The resort was originally developed in conjunction with the Rwandan Government in 2010. In 2017, it came under the management of One & Only, and after an extensive renovation and upgrade of facilities, it has become the incomparable rain forest oasis you see today. The accommodations at the property include;

Nyungwe room

Sink into the comfort of your secluded forest haven, with sumptuous amenities, a crackling fireplace, and vibrant art inspired by the natural beauty of Rwanda. Private furnished balconies open up to the lush flora, perfect for spotting wildlife roaming free. The Nyungwe room accommodates two individuals at ago and the bed type is King/Twin.

Nestled amongst the flora of Nyungwe mountainous landscape, Nyungwe Rooms are an ideal haven for couples and friends. Warm interiors are brought to life by an ambient, crackling fireplace, and touches of vivid art, inspired by Rwandan tradition. A replenished mini-bar is yours to enjoy, along with tea and coffee making facilities.

State-of-the-art technology brings a modern edge to your rustic environment, with air conditioning, an LCD television, and a dedicated in-room I-Pad that reveals everything you need to know on resort. A spacious en-suite bathroom features twin vanities, a wilderness-view shower, and indulgent stand-alone bath. Outdoors, your private deck is an awe-inspiring place to soak up the sights and sounds of the forest.

Two-bedroom forest suite

Reconnect with family and friends in a spacious two-bedroom suite, graced with every creature comfort. Celebrate around a beautifully crafted dining table; warm yourselves by the crackling fire; or unwind on a private deck, completely immersed in nature. The two-bedroom forest suite accommodates 4 individuals at ago and the bed type is King and Twin bed.

Blending seamlessly into the lush, mountainous landscape, families and friends can retreat to a spacious haven, with every creature comfort at their fingertips. A chic, lodge-inspired aesthetic weaves through two sumptuous bedrooms, each with a fireplace and picturesque private deck. An elegant living and dining room offers the perfect place to relax and share a chilled drink from the replenished mini-bar.

State-of-the-art technology brings a modern edge to the environment, with air conditioning, an LCD television, and a dedicated in-room I-Pad that reveals everything you need to know on resort. Two spacious, en-suite bathrooms feature twin vanities, wilderness-view showers, and indulgent stand-alone baths.

NYUNGWE TOP VIEW HOTEL

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is conveniently nestled on top of one of the hills of Nyungwe forest area; the largest single forest block in East Africa and the biggest water reservoir for Rwanda. It is situated just five minutes’ drive off a main road, on top of a steep hill with views across numerous tea plantations; it has easily the most beautiful views in the Nyungwe forest area. With its proximity to the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park, it is a good base for trekkers to see the chimpanzees and exploring the forest.

The main areas at the hotel are housed in a large, two-tiered ‘rondavel’ with a phenomenally high roof. Although a rondavel is usually a traditionally built round house, this building offers a rather more modern take on the theme. The ground floor, where you will find the reception, is sparsely furnished with a few modern angular sofas and walls adorned with traditional Rwandan murals. Circular wicker lights hang from the ceiling and dark tiled stairs lead up to a mezzanine balcony.

It is on this second level that you will find the dining area, with tables and chairs set on a rather out-of-place black-tiled floor, and a sweeping veranda with wooden tables and chairs. The views from here are stunning and on clear days you can even get views of Lake Kivu and the volcanoes of the Congo beyond. There is also a bar on this level made almost entirely from bottle tops, giving it a bright, very kitsch look. Glass doors at the front of the rondavel open onto a beautifully kept lawn, and this is surrounded by a low hedge.

The hotel comprises of 12 red-brick cottages ranged in two rows, one on each side of the rondavel, along two sides of the lawn. Every cottage houses a bedroom, a small lounge area at the front, with terracotta-tiled floors, a sofa, chair and coffee table, and a fireplace.

Although the furniture is different in every cottage, it is angular and modern throughout. The bedrooms are quite sparse, furnished only with a double, twin or triple bed, a chest of drawers and hanging space for clothes, but they have plenty of space and are really clean.

African patterned throws cover the beds and there is traditional Rwandan “Imigorigo” artwork on the walls. There are no fans or air conditioned but the team here will put hot-water bottles in your beds on cooler nights. The tiled bathrooms each have a sink, toilet and shower and some also have baths, with towels and toiletries provided.

Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge

Nyungwe Nziza Eco-lodge is nestled in Kitabi providing accommodation with free Wi-Fi and barbecue facilities. Some units have a seating area and a terrace. A continental breakfast is available each morning at the property. There is an in-house restaurant which serves Local, African and Pizza cuisine. If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings and a bicycle rental service can be arranged. The facility is a very comfortable hotel and a camping with “De Luxe” tents and portable tents, an” a la carte” restaurant, and a handcraft shop, an open-air bar, a fire place, cars for hire, transfer from Kigali Airport or Kigali City and to the Nyungwe Forest National Park.

The Nyungwe forest’s view from the rooms is amazing. The property comprises of an Eco – lodge with three houses and six rooms, three deluxe tents, a restaurant, a coffee shop, a bar and an outdoor fireplace. There are also portable tents and a big space for clients’ own tents.

KITABI ECO – CENTRE

Kitabi Eco-Center is located just 2 kilometers from the Eastern entrance to Nyungwe Forest National Park. It sits atop Mount Kitabi, offering one of the most spectacular and panoramic views in all of Rwanda: neat, terraced farms perched on endless hills; light green tea plantations that frequent this region; the dark green trees of Nyungwe Forest; and a seemingly endless sky. Neither words nor pictures can do it justice you have to be here to experience it!

The property combines camping, a restaurant, gardens, and Eco tourism activities with an ecologically-friendly mindset. There is even a replica of the King’s Palace here that you can explore, and if you want, to stay overnight! The property has a variety of accommodation options for you:

Camping

Guests can spend the night camping under the stars in the property’s modern tents. The property comprises of some 2 person and 4 person tents for rent, but not an endless supply. If you have your own tents and camping equipment, please bring along. The property’s staff can set the tent up for you before you arrive or you can come and pick out your campsite, and then the staff team will set it up for you.

King’s Palace

Come enjoy a truly amazing, unique experience, available nowhere else in Rwanda! Live like a King or Queen in the property’s King’s Palace replica. Your experience will include a one night (or more!) stay in a Queen bed with warm furnishings. You will also receive a personalized tour on the history of the King’s Palace and other local traditions from the manager or local guides; your own fire at night inside the palace; and breakfast the next morning in the comfort of the palace grounds (optional). The property’s team can also add mattresses for larger groups. This is perfect for a family of 3 or more with young children who want to stay together.

Prince’s Palace

Sleep like a Prince or Princess for a night (or more) in one of the property’s two Prince’s Palaces. Stay in a comfortable Double Bed inside one of the two Prince’s Palaces. Each can accommodate 2 people and the staff can arrange for a small clay oven fire to keep you extra warm.

Best Time to Visit Congo

Most of the travelers in Democratic Republic of Congo invade the country with the main aim of mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Virunga National Park and hiking Nyiragongo volcano, as well as trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Democratic Republic of Congo experiences one of the highest frequencies of thunderstorms in the world, and quite a spectacular amount of rain but this should not limit you from visiting the remarkable country. The following are some of the helpful hints and tips for the best time to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo:

First of all, DR Congo straddles the equator, with one-third of the country to the north, and two-thirds to the south. Alongside that, it is around the size of the whole of Western Europe put together, and the weather patterns differ vastly throughout. Since most of the country’s travelers’ main focus is trekking the mountain gorillas in Virunga national park (found in north-eastern parts) and hiking Nyiragongo, the best time to visit Democratic Republic of Congo should therefore be based on Virunga.

Despite a little bit of rain here and there, Virunga is still a year-round destination. June, July, August, September and October are by far the driest months of the year, and, as with most Sub-Saharan countries, it is probably the most popular time to travel.

In fact, if you are looking to tie in a gorilla trek in Virunga with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, you have picked the best time of year! It is possible that the gorilla families will move to a higher-altitude from July to September resulting in slightly longer trekking times, so do be prepared to get sweaty. And just like the UK, the rain is an unpredictable beast and you may still experience short, sharp thunderstorms, but this should definitely not put you off.

November is by far the country’s wettest month of the year, though other wet months include; March, April and May. During the wet/rain season, gorilla trekking, of course, becomes somehow challenging though this should not deter you to travel during those rainy months because after it has rained, the sunshine will immediately rise and then the activities in the Park go normal.

On addition to that, during the wet season, Congo travelers will get a lot of discounts right from the Park accommodations which tend to reduce their rates to the gorilla permit. On normal days, a Congo gorilla permit costs US$ 400 but travelers who will move in the wet seasons will get a 50% discount thus paying US$ 200 for the permit. However if you are to travel in the wet season, just make sure you are prepared with all-weather gears such as; rain coats, jackets, sweaters, long sleeved clothes, light hiking boots and socks, among others.

In terms of temperature, Democratic Republic of Congo’s equatorial position and the thick tangled forests mean the weather is almost always warm and humid. The drier months of June to September are the coolest with daytime temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius.

As the rains come, temperatures steadily increase and can reach the mid-30s, with a good dose of frizzy-hair inducing humidity. At the top of Nyiragongo, temperatures often drop below freezing throughout the year and this is unavoidable.

Proper hiking gear is a must! You can hire the extras (sleeping bags and mats and the like) when you arrive, but warm layers, gloves, good socks and boots are absolutely essential. If climbing Nyiragongo is top of your list, the best time to visit DRC would probably be from June to September to take advantage of the slightly cooler temperatures as you climb the lower sections.

Virunga in particular, the finest months to visit DR Congo are December, January and February, and July to September as many gorilla trekkers are seen invading DR Congo during those months to enjoy the lifetime experience of gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo Hike.

Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy Walk are one of the Major activities done in Nyungwe Forest National Park, this is one of Rwanda’s major boosting tourism destinations and is located in the South western wing of Rwanda covering over 1000 square kilometres, and Nyungwe is surely one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine mountain rain forest. Research put it to be one of Africa’s oldest forests maintaining its green cover even through the Ice Age, which demonstrates its diversity clearly.

Its home to habituated chimpanzees and 12 other primate species including habituated Ruwenzori Black & White Colobus Monkeys, it’s also a birder’s haven with over 300 species, including 16 endemics, and is home to 75 different species of mammal. When it comes to Rwanda Nyungwe Forest National Park is mostly known for the Chimpanzee tracking and it’s about five hours’ drive from Kigali up to this Park’s headquarters.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

If not doing gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park visitors to Rwanda rush for the habituated Chimpanzees in Nyungwe and this resulted after a great increment in the prices of its gorilla trekking permits. Currently most visitors prefer and resorted to Chimpanzee tracking and Golden Monkey tracking because they cannot reach the prices of gorilla trekking permits marked by Rwanda development board last year.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest starts off from three reception centers, named Uwinka, Kitabi and Gisakura where the tourists meet the park rangers and the tourists are also expected to be at the reception as early as 4: 30am and by 5 am, you drive to the starting point of the tracking journey into the forest.

Since these chimpanzees’ nest each and every night, there are the trackers to go first ahead of the tracking group to first locate them and communicate with the ranger guides. Tourists are allowed to spend only one hour with the chimpanzees in the Montane forests of Nyungwe Forest National Park, and get to observe them so closely going about their own lives, see the human like features and behavior that makes them to be our closest relatives with 98.7 % DNA.

Chimpanzees communicate by way of deafening screams, the loud hoots and booming hitting of the tree barks and the buttress. It’s such a hair rising moment like no other and so memorable.

Chimpanzees are omnivorous feeding both on meat and grass exactly in the same way as human beings do, these chimpanzees mostly feed on young bamboo shoot, sugar canes, fruits like Avocados, jack fruit, oranges, cabbages, Water melon, and more. Chimpanzees are not like Gorillas they feed both on the ground and up in the tree branches which make them to be tricky in that sometimes when they discover presence of human beings, they tend to hide away so it’s always advised to maintain your voice at low tone while in the Jungle. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda costs $100 USD per person.

Canopy Walk

This is another boosting activity done which has made Nyungwe Forest National Park to be among Rwanda’s top major destinations to visit. Getting to the canopy is about 2 hours from the starting point at Uwinka visitor Centre. This forest is on a mountain which makes this hike to be slippery due to the mere fact that the ground on which the guests trek is wet and so moist. Viewing the canopy on arrival, most especially for those that are fear heights, this could also be described as the endless walk to hell.

This bridge adjourned between the huge trees one on the feel of the fresh air, 60m above the forest floor. Apart from the freshness in the air and the wonderful aerial view of the trees, you will also enjoy the sights of different fantastic bird species that fly across as you enjoy the walk.

This canopy walk is the most preferred activity for the park visitors and it’s one of those you want to try before you die. It was opened in 2010 and it’s the only one of its kind in east Africa and the third on the African continent. This 90m long canopy walk way also gives a unique face to face meetings with the tsetse flies, butterflies, different bird species and the monkeys like Black & White Colobus, blue monkeys and more.

This activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda costs $60 USD per person and it takes about two hours from the starting point up to the ending point.

Chimpanzee Tracking Safaris in Uganda & Rwanda

Chimpanzees are unique primates to visit in Uganda and Rwanda for your memories to remember because of their diversity features and behaviours characterized.

They are rated to be the more closet primates to human features in that they almost think the same way as human beings, sometimes these primates repeat after the statements made by the human beings, they sleep up to 9.5 hours per day.

There are further characterized with palm of hands, tailless and the soles of feets are hairless, their arms are longer than the legs. Looking forward to seeing Chimpanzees in Africa, Uganda and Rwanda are the best places to go located in the Eastern part of the African Continent.

Chimpanzee Tracking & Habituation in Uganda

Uganda is one of the best places to go for Chimpanzee tracking in Africa and it’s located in the Eastern part of the African Continent with wide range of Chimp species in different National Parks and Sanctuaries with over 4950 Species recorded. These human closely related species are found in Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Kibale Forest National Park is a great destination to visit in Uganda with ever green cover vegetation characterized with big species of trees. This park is commonly known for chimpanzees in its diversity with over 1,420 species recorded in this park, while in Kibale Forest National Park you can do both Chimpanzee tracking and habituation experience.

The Tracking activity involves visiting the ever-green cover vegetation of Kibale characterized with big tree species in search of these primates very excited to watch them while feeding, playing with young ones, hanging in tree branches, mating and taking photos of them for memories. It’s advised to move slowly while in the Jungle because you may scare them and let them to extend far away from the exact place you are supposed to find them, some tend to hide in the tree branches and leaves.

After locating the presence of these apes, you are allowed to stay around them for one hour while experiencing their ways of living plus behaviours, after that you are entitled to vacate the place.

The Habituation experience involves trailing with these primates in the Jungle shaping them in a way of behaving friendly with human beings and this is done for almost a full day, the price for Chimpanzee tracking and habituation experience in Kibale Forest National Park goes for $150 USD and $220 USD per person respectively, the difference between tracking and habituation experience is the time spent while with these primates in the Jungle.

For the tracking experience the time is divided into three sessions named morning session, afternoon session and evening session therefore it depends on your choice and itinerary to decide which session to go with.

If it’s hard for you to reach Kibale Forest National park but in Queen Elizabeth National Park it’s easy for you to do the chimp tracking there which is done in the Kyambura gorge side part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, this is also a good haven for bird watching for birders mostly in the morning or evening time. Chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park costs $50 USD per person.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is another place you should not miss on your bucket list while in Uganda, this is a protected area gazetted to provide care to the rescued orphaned Chimpanzees. It is located on Lake Victoria and you can better reach it by use of a boat from Entebbe which is about 40-50 minutes’ drive by boat and about 20 minutes’ drive by Aero plane, 90 minutes’ drive by local expert. When you reach a couple of activities in the bucket for you to participate in like Chimpanzee feeding, car giving plus Volunteering which takes a couple of days while at this sanctuary.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Rwanda

This activity in Rwanda is listed first among the top activities to do if you decide to spend your time in this destination while visiting its top National Parks located in different regions. This Chimpanzee tracking activity is only done in Nyungwe Forest National Park located in the Southern part for the case of Rwanda because they are only uniquely located here among the top destinations to visit with two habituated groups of Chimpanzees.

Over 500 species of Chimps are recorded in Rwanda with most part found in the Afro Montane Forest of Nyungwe Forest National Park; some of the Chimps are recorded sightable in the Cyamudongo Forest.

Discounted Rwanda Gorilla Permits 2019

Rwanda is one of the very few countries which protect the endangered Mountain gorillas however the cost of a gorilla permit has increased from US$ 750 to US$ 1500. Therefore, it has made it difficult for some people to buy the gorilla permits at such a high price but the Republic of Rwanda has come with some offers which can enable the gorilla trekkers to purchase the permits at an affordable price.

The first easiest way to view the Mountain gorillas in Rwanda at an affordable and discounted price is when you are to have a conference which is to be held in Rwanda like the ‘’Heads of States Conference’’ which is to be held in 2020, you are emphasized to book with any tour company of your choice for gorilla tracking activity in Volcanoes National Park because you will be given a certain discount and you will only need to pay US$ 1050 instead of US$ 1500 which is always the usual price for the permits.

Therefore, you are advised to always remember to book for your trip whenever you are to held any conference in Rwanda in order to achieve a discounted gorilla permit and be able to view the endangered and rare Mountain gorillas and other animals such as golden monkeys, silver monkeys, black-Fronted duikers, spotted hyenas, bush bucks, buffaloes, elephants though rare plus others which you will see in the Lake Bulera and Ruhondo which are twin lakes situated within the Park where from there you will have many chances of viewing hippos and crocodiles plus the aquatic birds and also involve in boat cruises.

The park is made up of almost 200 bird species which you will enjoy their brilliant view and you will still get engaged in Mountain hiking because the Park consists of five of the eight Virunga Mountains namely; Karisimbi volcano, Bisoke volcano, Gahinga volcano, Sabyinyo volcano and the Gahinga volcano thus the Park being ideal for photographer tourists who likes photographing tourism.

The other way of purchasing a gorilla permit in Rwanda at a discounted price is, whenever you are to visit Rwanda for gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park, you are emphasized to include at least one of another national park of Rwanda or when you want to visit any of the national parks in Rwanda you should always budget to end your tour with a visit to Volcanoes National Park and you will end up getting a gorilla permit at a discounted and affordable price.

For example, if you want to visit the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park you should either add chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park or game viewing and bird watching in Akagera National Park on your schedule or whenever you are to go for chimpanzee or game viewing in those other Parks respectively, you should include the purchasing of your gorilla permit because it will be discounted for you. If you consider the above, your gorilla permit will be at a reduction of US$ 230 which will make you to pay US$ 1275 for the gorilla permit instead of paying US$ 1500.

Therefore, get a discounted gorilla permit when you have a conference in Rwanda whereby you will pay US$ 1050 or visit at least two Parks (Volcanoes inclusive) for you to pay US$ 1270 and enjoy the rare endangered Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and many other things found in the Park. The Park is less than three hours’ drive from Kigali city where Kigali international airport is found.

All About Chimpanzee Tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Welcome to Rwanda and enjoy chimpanzee tours in Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park with the Nature Adventure Africa Safaris one of the best tour companies in East and Central Africa.

You will order for your tours in Rwanda when you are still in your home country and here you will be talking with the company’s consultant who will tell you what it needs for you to have a chimpanzee tour in Nyungwe Forest National Park and you will also be asked to pay at least 30% of the price of your tour in order to confirm your tour and for the company to be aware of it.

On your arrival at Kigali Airport, meet the company’s professional safari guide who will transfer you to Kigali city. If you arrive early, you will first have some detours in Kigali city to visit Gisozi Genocide memorial museum, Local Art & raft shops, Fruit market and so on. And then after the short detours, you will be taken to any of the hotels or lodges that would have been booked for you and on these they include Kigali Serena Hotel, Manor Hotel or Step Town Hotel and so on.

You will stay there for the night and in the morning, you will wake up early in the morning and have a breakfast and after your breakfast, you will enjoy a scenic journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park. On your way to the park, you will also have a chance to visit the old King’s Palace in Nyanza. Lunch en-route, proceed to the Park. You will have your dinner on one of the nearby lodges that will have been booked for you and these lodges include Nyungwe Forest Lodge a Luxury lodge, Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, a Deluxe lodge or Gisakura Guest House, a Budget lodge.

Early morning breakfast of the next day; proceed to the park headquarters for briefing. You will enter into the forest to search for the exciting chimps alongside other primate species such as Columbus monkeys, forest birds among others. Return to your lodge for Lunch and relax in the afternoon or have community walk to the nearby communities or Canopy walk for clear birding and canopies. Dinner and overnight will also be offered as on the previous day.

On the following day, breakfast with your packed lunch move for a full day forest guided walk within Nyungwe Forest National Park. On this long walk, you will visit the Kamiranzovu waterfalls where you will enjoy the picnic lunch. On this walk expect to see a lot of bird species and also primates like monkeys among others.

NB: During chimpanzee tracking, you will be 1km away from the chimpanzee to prevent the easy spread of diseases from humans to chimpanzees however chimpanzees are too friendly to humans. Chimpanzee tracking and other activities you will perform in the park, you will be accompanied by well trained and professional park rangers.

After your chimpanzee tour to Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda, you will return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

In the morning, you will then clean yourself and have breakfast after which you will return back to Kigali together with the company’s tour operator. You will first have lunch from Kigali and then you will be taken to Kigali International Airport for your flight back home.

Therefore, use the Nature Adventure Africa Safaris for any of your tour all over East and Central Africa for the best services.

What to Do and See in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park was gazetted in 2014 and it covers a total land area of 970km² and it is located in the south-western parts of the Republic of Rwanda, this park borders Democratic Republic of Congo and it is separated by the Congo Nile. The park is covered by montane forests, bamboo and swamps including some grassland areas. Nyungwe Forest National Park is composed of 13 Species of Primate, the 1068 plant Species, 310 bird Species plus 85 mammal Species, 38 reptile Species along with 32 amphibian species.

Due to the fact that Rwanda is a land of a thousand hills, Nyungwe forest is ranked among the top largest Tropical montane forest in central and east Africa with an annual rainfall of 2000mm, this makes Nyungwe a one stop center for those who always come to Rwanda for gorilla trekking tours in Volcanoes national park. The park is a nice one and therefore tourists enjoy the different activities at their maximum since it’s not congested, there are different things to see and do within the park.

Birding, out of 300 bird species fund here in Nyungwe, 27 of them are said to be endemic to the park and are found within the Albertine region including Grauer’s Warbler which is found around Kamiranzonvou swamp in Nyungwe, Rwenzori Turacos are also seen over the trees praising the conducive environment through their sounds and soul healing voices purple breasted and the blue headed sun bird can also be spotted here and many more birds hence being a home for birders hide.

Hiking, within Nyungwe forest national park, there are over 13 trails that are free for hiking and all these total up to 130km within the forest and the tea plantations around the park, through this activity, you will discover much more tree species and the different wildlife that is found here including, birds, primates, plants, flowers, butterflies and the trees. You will see how impressive is the landscape which is full of rolling hills and valleys as you experience no sunshine due to the shade provided by the tree canopies.

Chimpanzee Tracking, this is the main national park in Rwanda where chimpanzee tracking is done, before you think of entering the forest, think of your safety first since you are encouraged to move along with your gears including day pack where you have a couple of liters of water, have long trousers, the long sleeved shirt, rain jacket, the hiking boots and the hat. The activity starts early in the morning in order to catch up with the chimps that constantly build nests in different areas as a result of a long day of searching for food. No worries while with the chimps since they are used to people as they are habituated though maximum respect to the rules and regulations governing trekking is vital since chimps can charge as well as human beings.

Monkey Tracking, you cannot leave Nyungwe minus engaging in monkey tracking, the park has got around 13 primate species including the various types of monkeys such as the Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Rwenzori Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Owl Faced Monkeys, Mona Monkeys plus other monkeys, prepare your camera as you will take many photos as you may wish as monkeys converge in groups of over 50 individuals

Forest Canopy walk, this is a unique one and it is considered to be the first canopy in east Africa, the canopy is said to be 200m long and 60metres above the forest hence enabling you to have a nice stunning view of the park, tea plantations, monkeys and birds. You need to be steady enough to take up this activity, the beautiful scenery and the green environment good for viewing under the misty day. You cannot miss out Mount Bigugu found inside the park.