Nyungwe Forest National Park Birding Overview

Nyungwe Forest national park is one of the three national parks in Rwanda that have proven to be the leading tourist destinations in the land of “a Thousand Hills”. Located in the southern province of Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park is found between Lake Kivu and the international border with Burundi. The park is very famous for its vegetation cover as well as being a home to many different bird species of about 310.  Nyungwe forest is the largest and oldest Montane forest in Africa. Birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park can be done anytime of the year but its best between December and January. It’s because thousands of migratory birds come into the country  due to fear of winter conditions.

Why go for birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

There are many reasons as to why one should really include birding in Nyungwe forest on his bucket list. The Park contains Bigugu mountain which is the highest summit in the park. The Bigugu Mountain in the forest is one of the best spots for observing the birds as they feed on the tree canopies. Birders come here to see the Red-collared Mountain-babbler among others. Nyungwe forest also has  other bird species any tourist can see on their birding expedition in the park, these include; the Albertine owlet, Handsome Francolin, Handsome spur fowls, Regal sunbird, Rwenzori Nightjar and many more.

How to enjoy birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

The best way to explore the birds is by walking or biking through part of the Congo Nile trail which cuts through the forest or using one of the well-developed forest trails that lead to the different sections of the forest. Also a canopy walk in the forest is the other way you can watch and spot these birds.

One can also get the best of birding in Nyungwe forest by moving out of the forest and go to the Gisakura tea estate to watch your favorite  birds. The canopy walkway that is  built in high heights that you be above the canopy trees which gives you an aerial view. It’s 160metres long.

Why you should hire a professional birding guide?

Just like any other tour, birding in Nyungwe forest National park also requires a professional guide who will help you  identify species like the Red-chested Owlet, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Ruwenzori Blue-headed Sunbird, Sharpe’s Starling, Slender-billed Starling, Striped-breasted Tit, Stuhlmann’s Double-collared Sunbird, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Thick-billed Seed-eater, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher and many more. The professional guide will also take you to the best spots of Nyungwe forest where you can have clear views of the birds and their nests. Birding  also  exposes you to other creatures like golden monkeys and many more.

Other things to do besides birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park;

Visit the Gisakura tea estate.

Gisakura tea estate is a vast tea plantation with a variety of parallel ridges with amazing mountains in the background. For all the tea lovers, will have an adventurous tour in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The hard working farmers of Gisakura tea estate work Monday to Saturday and not on Sundays. For the visitors who will come on Sunday, they wont be able to meet them since they will be resting in their residents. These farmers be busy picking and collecting in to the baskets but are welcoming people who are ready to associate with you.  To spot the rigdes clearly, carry a camera along. Associating with them will help you discover how  tea is harvested, processed and manufactured since they are willing to explain.

Hiking and forest nature walks in Nyungwe

For hikers and nature lovers, there is over 130 kilometres of hiking routes created in the Nyungwe Forest, allowing visitors to explore the interior and its fascinating habitats.The amazing  Igishigishigi Trail is one of the shortest hikes yet includes East Africa’s highest canopy walk with spectacular views across Nyungwe Forest, while Bigugu Trail leads you to the highest mountain in the Park at 2950m. This gives an aerial view of the canopy plants and the abundant primates, Butterflies, coloured birds  of Nuyngwe Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe

Chimpanzee trekking is also done in this great Nyungwe Forest National  Park. Before starting the journey, the tourists are expected to have a brief meeting to get to know  the don’t s and the does during trekking. The chimp follow a gestation period ranging from 202 and 261 days, females give birth to a single young, and occasionally twins, every 5-6 years. The mother takes care of the baby, nurses it and later its left on its own. There are two opportunities for chimpanzee trekking where the first session starts at 7:00am and the second one starts at 12:00pm in the afternoon.

Touring of the primates in Nyungwe Forest.

There are 13 primate species that occur in Nyungwe Forest. Rwenzori Colobus is the most common primate in the Albertine rift. The colobus monkeys are so sociable, the ones in Nyungwe are also unique since they move in troops of many animals jumping one tree to the other. Their are also Golden Monkeys that move in a group of 3-4. In each group of the Golden monkeys their exists one mature male. The other types of monkeys include: Silver monkeys, L’Hoest Monkey, Owl faced monkeys, golden monkeys, the red tailed monkey, crowned monkey, the Dent;s Mona Monkey, vervet monkey and the Olive baboon. Olive baboon are also called Anubis baboon characterized of a greenish-grey coat covering their bodies. They found along the road at Nyungwe Forest and inside of Akagera National Park. They are primarily a terrestrial primate and they live in large groups.