From Wikitravel

Nyungwe National Park is in Western Rwanda.

[edit] Understand

Nyungwe national park is a high altitude mountainous rain forest that is contiguous with Kibera national park in Burundi.

[edit] History

[edit] Landscape

[edit] Flora and fauna

[edit] Climate

[edit] Get in

The main entrance is at Uwinka on the main Cyangugu - Huye road. It's about 55km from Cyangugu and 90km from Huye. The road is mostly in good condition. There are regular buses along the route and hitching is also an option. Buses are often full when the reach here so if you're getting a bus out it may be best to try and book your ticket in advance.

If travelling from Cyangugu ignore the sign in town that says it's 20km and further ignore the sign 15km from Cyangugu directing you right up a dirt track. These refer to a small off shoot of the park, not the park proper.

[edit] Fees/Permits

There are no "park fees" as such but you must be accompanied by a guide on all of the walking trails. The costs vary depending on the length of the trail and what your immigration status in Rwanda is (Tourist, National, Resident or EAC Resident). If you are a tourist expect to pay around $40 - $60 per trail.

Camping fees are pretty high ($50 if you don't do any other activities, (I think) $35 if you do) but the camp site is well situated in the jungle, there are European toilets and a cold shower.

[edit] Get around

Other than the main road through the forest there are no (public) roads or vehicle tracks in the park, everything is on foot (see do).

[edit][add listing] See

A whole host of different Primate species, a few other mammals including leopard and duiker (which you're unlikely to see) and a phenomenal array of birds and plants.

[edit][add listing] Do

There are a number of trails ranging from the very easy to the reasonably challenging. nb. their "strenuous" guide is based on the assumption that you are not a regular walker. Any hiker would not find their "very strenuous" trails particularly challenging.

In the future there will be a 'canopy walkway', basically a rope bridge that goes through the treetops. As of June 2010 it was still being constructed but looks like it will be impressive once it's finished.

There are also a couple of multi day trails such as the Nile-Congo divide trail (which is the only way of reaching the longest source of the Nile). These must be booked at least seven days in advance (they will not negotiate this).

Chimpanzee tracking is available and there are two groups habituated to human contact. In principal Colobus monkey tracking is also available but at the time of writing (June 2010) they have moved too far away from the trail head to be tracked. Should they move back this may be possible again in the future.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is a small kiosk selling basics but if you are camping bring whatever food you will need.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Water, Soft drinks and Primus (beer) is available.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

There are guest houses at either side of the park on the main road. In Kitabi (on the Huye side) the guest house is situated in the school of wildlife management. Coming from Huye take the left turn marked 'tea factory' about 200m before the park entrance. There is then a right turn about 500m further on, this is the guest house. The reception is is l'Hoests monkey house. Rooms are 6'000 - 14'000Francs (there is a student discount available if you have student ID)

[edit] Camping

There is camping at the Uwinka head quarters, it's a bit pricey (see fees and permits) but you do get a guy who lights your fire for you. This may sound a bit unnecessary but after a cold night (apparently it can get down to 0C here due to the altitude), waking up to a roaring fire is heaven!

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