Did you know that Nyungwe National Park has the best night walking safaris in Rwanda? Nyungwe National Park is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda, along the border with Burundi, and is characterized by extensive rainforests. It contains Africa’s oldest rainforests and is the largest rainforest in Rwanda. The park is home to over 13 primate species and about 300 bird species, including 30 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley, along with various other forest wildlife. However, among the wildlife, chimpanzees are the most recognized species that travelers often encounter on safari.
Night walking safaris in Nyungwe National Park offer a unique opportunity to explore the park’s nocturnal environment. Guided by an armed ranger, the journey begins in the evening around 5:30 PM, coinciding with sunset, followed by a briefing about the activity. This foot-based excursion lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours, typically concluding around 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Night walking safaris immerse you in the experience of encountering various nocturnal wildlife within the park. Among these animals are flying squirrels, tree hyraxes, bush babies, pottos, Rwenzori nightjars, and many more. These species become notably more active at night than during the day.
Nocturnal species to see on a night walk in Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest is a rich habitat for nocturnal species. On a night walk, expect to encounter the tree hyrax, flying squirrel, and bush babies. To birders, you will come across birds like the square-tailed nightjar, Ruwenzori nightjar, Albertine owlet, and the montane nightjar.
Other wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park
They include chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, silver monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, vervet monkeys, Dent’s monkeys, and blue monkeys. There are also several forest elephants, bushbucks, klipspringers, black-fronted duikers, Congo clawless, blotched serval, buffaloes, western tree hyrax, impalas, golden cats, caracal genet, mongoose, giant forest hogs, otters, and more.
What is a night walking safari permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
Travelers participating in safaris at Nyungwe Forest National Park must obtain permits. The fees for night walking safaris in Nyungwe are as follows: 150 USD for foreign non-residents and foreign residents, and 75 USD for East African residents. Note that these prices do not include the park entrance fees, which are payable separately on the day of the safari.
Guidelines for night walking safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park
When planning to participate in walking safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park, travelers should adhere to several important rules and regulations, including:
- No littering in the park during the safari walk.
- Listen to the guide’s instructions.
- Don’t go off the main trails of the park.
- Avoid using flash photography.
- No making loud noise during the walk.
- Always keep a distance from wildlife during encounters in the park.
- Always follow the guide’s lead during the safaris.
What should I pack for night walking safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
During a night safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park, travelers pack various essentials. These include:
- Hiking boots
- Water bottle
- Rain jacket
- Torch
- Walking sticks
- Insect repellents
- First aid kit
- Hat and gloves.
- Long-sleeved clothing.
- Night vision cameras and binoculars.
What other activities can one participate in at Nyungwe Forest National Park?
While participating in night walking safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park, travelers can also enjoy various other activities, including:
Chimpanzee trekking
One of the popular activities that travelers partake in at this park is chimpanzee tracking. Chimpanzees, which share about 98% of their DNA with humans, are among the largest primates in the park. Before encounters, the chimpanzees are habituated to human presence, which takes approximately two years in the jungle. The activity begins early in the morning with a briefing on what to expect, including the dos and don’ts of the encounter. To facilitate this experience, participants are divided into groups of eight, as each family or community of chimpanzees is visited by one group. The tracking experience lasts between 2 and 7 hours, culminating in a one-hour viewing of the chimpanzees in their habitat while maintaining a distance of 7 meters. Besides, to participate, you must obtain a chimpanzee trekking permit.
The cost of the chimpanzee permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park is 250 USD for foreign non-residents, 75 USD for foreign residents, and 25 USD for East African residents. Please note that the trekking permit cost does not include park entrance fees. However, Nyungwe Forest National Park has just one morning session, and the park is home to around three habituated chimpanzee families.
Canopy Walk
The canopy walk offers an exhilarating experience as you traverse a raised bridge approximately 200 meters above the ground. This exciting adventure connects you to various trails within the park, including the Canopy Walk Trail, Igishigishigi Trail, Umuyove Trail, Kamiranzovu Trail, and many more.
Birding
About 310 bird species survive within the different habitats in Nyungwe National Park. These include Albertine rift endemic species and resident birds. The birds of interest on the birding tour in Nyungwe National Park include archer’s robin chat, Doherty bush shrike, Rwenzori nightjars, white-bellied robin chat, Rockefeller’s sunbirds, red-throated lathe, Kivu ground thrush, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, red-faced woodland warblers,
Blue-headed sunbirds, Neumann’s warblers, red-collared mountain babblers, Grauer’s rush warblers, Great blue turacos, strange weavers, and chested Kakamega, to mention but a few.
Hiking
It allows visitors to immerse themselves in Nyungwe National Park. Hiking opportunities are available on the numerous walking trails. Nyungwe hiking trails include Bigugu, Ngabwe, Congo Nile divide, Muzimu Trail, Rukuzi Trail, Buhoro, Igishigishigi, Irebero, Imbaraga Trail, Umuyove, Umugote, Isumo, and Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail.
Where to stay while on a night walking safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Visitors planning to visit Kazembe to take part in this thrilling activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park have a variety of accommodation options. These facilities offer both budget, mid-range, and luxury levels. Besides, they include One& Only Nyungwe House, Mantis Kivu Manna Bay Hotel, Ear Ken Brahma Guesthouse, Nyungwe Hill View Hotel, Keza Nyungwe Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Chimpanzee lodge, Nyungwe Nzisa Ecolodge, Rebert Kivu Resort, Gisakura guesthouse hotel, and Kitabi Eco-center, among others
How to Get to Nyungwe Forest National Park
By Car, Driving is the most popular option. However, the journey from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, takes approximately 6-8 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. You can rent a car in Kigali or hire a driver to take you to the park.
By Flight: For those short on time, consider taking a flight from Kigali to Kazembe Airport, located near Nyungwe Forest National Park. The flight duration is approximately 45 minutes, and there are several flights per week. From Kamembe Airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the park.
When to visit Nyungwe for a guided night walk?
The Nyungwe Forest National Park night walk begins at 5:30 pm, lasting for 1-3 hours. The best time to travel to the park to take part in this experience is during the dry season. The dry season in Nyungwe National Park starts around June, July, August, September, and December, from January to February.
Some of the essentials to consider packing for your night walk include a headlight/torch/spotlight, waterproof walking shoes/boots, a camera, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a rain jacket, a sweater, and a daypack.
Normally, a night walking safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park runs from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, so you can enjoy observing the sunset in the wilderness. On the other hand, from 8:00 to 9:00 pm, the safari guide will escort you back to the safari lodge for a leisurely dinner and a midnight sleep.
