wikitravel_rwanda/Nyungwe_National_Park.txt

Nyungwe National Park is in Western Rwanda.
Nyungwe rainforest is in southwestern Rwanda bordering Burundi along the south with Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
 It is probably the best preserved rainforest in the mountains throughout Central Africa.
 It is located in the watershed between the basin of the river Congo to the west and the basin of the river Nile to the east.
 From the east side of the Nyungwe forest is one of the sources of the Nile.
The National Park was established in 2004 and covers an area of approximately 970 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs.
 The nearest town is Cyangugu, 54 km to the west.
 Mount Bigugu is located within the park boundaries.
Important to Rwanda and the world for its biodiversity, beauty, and natural resources, today Nyungwe is officially recognized as a protected area.
Nyungwe forest is hundreds of thousands of years old.
 People’s presence in Nyungwe dates back at least 50,000 years.
1903 Colonial Crown Land
Nyungwe is declared a forest reserve, first by the German colonial government then by the Belgians, with restrictions on clearing.
 Protection is not consistently enforced.
1958-1973 Forest Lost
Nyungwe is reduced by over 150 km2 due to fires, woodcutting, hunting of animals, and small-scale agriculture.
 Nearby Gishwati and Virunga forests are cut in half at this time.
1969
Elephants still number in the hundreds in Nyungwe.
1974 
The last buffalo is killed in Nyungwe by hunters.
1984
Nyungwe is divided into areas that allow for sustainable use and harvesting of timber.

The Government of Rwanda develops a plan for a buffer zone that can still be seen today.
1984 Wildlife Revealed
Biodiversity surveys conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) with RDB document colobus in groups of up to 400 members—an unheard of phenomenon.
1987
Trail system begins to be formed at Uwinka.
1994 War and Genocide
War and genocide devastate the country and destroy many of the research and tourist facilities in Uwinka.
 Most senior staff are forced to flee, but many junior staff members at Nyungwe stay on to protect the park.
1995
The park begins to rebuild, but security and stability are still uncertain.
1999
The last elephant in Nyungwe is killed in the swamp by poachers.
2005 Officially ProtectedThe Rwandan Government makes Nyungwe an official National Park, giving it protected status, the highest level of protection in the country.
Revenue Sharing and Outreach projects
Bee-Keeping Associations
Handicraft Associations
Rural Electrification Project
Community Tourism Project
Community Tourist Lodge Project
Energy Efficient Stoves
Benefits from TourismHandicrafts and beverages purchased by tourists create local income and the Rwanda Development Board gives a portion of park revenue to surrounding communities, who help protect the forest.
Community Tourism at Banda Village“When tourists come to Banda, they pay to watch dancers and purchase handicrafts.
 Tourists buy food, water, and soda.
 This began as a nature conservation club.
 The objective was to transmit messages, and people used dancing.
 In 2003, the community got a permit to be a cooperative with the general aim of ecotourism development of Nyungwe National Park using Banda culture and handicrafts.
 The objective is to reduce poverty in the cooperative and in the general population while promoting nature conservation.
” (Nyanwi Fidele, VP Banda cooperative).
Teaching kids about the forest through nature clubs will protect the park for generations to come.
Nyungwe Communities Depend on the Forest
Rwandans depend on Nyungwe as a source of natural resources and water, and protection from erosion.
A Source of Income
People depend on Nyungwe to make a living—it provides jobs for guides and trackers, and opportunities for the local economy, like the selling of handicrafts.
Environmental ServicesNyungwe forest provides estimated hundreds of millions of US dollars (billions of RFW) worth of “ecological services” to surrounding communities, Rwanda and the entire planet every year—such as slowing global warming and watershed protection.
Natural Resources
Rope, bamboo, and other traditionally used forest plants are still important to people for weaving, medicines, building and more.
 They must be harvested sustainably to protect the forest’s integrity.
Local LoreThe bark of the umugote tree makes a good cough medicine.
Medicinal plants in Nyungwe National Park: Several plants found in Nyungwe have important medicinal value.
 A list of these can be see by clicking here.
 Some medicines have yet to be discovered!Animal life
Nyungwe forest has a wide diversity of animal species, making it a priority for conservation in Africa.
 The forest is situated in a region where several large-scale biogeographical zones meet and the variety of terrestrial biomes provide a great span of microhabitats for many different species of plants and animals.
The park contains 13 different primate species (25% of Africa's total), 275 bird species, 1068 plant species, 85 mammal species, 32 amphibian and 38 reptile species.
 Many of these animals are restricted-range species that are only found in the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion in Africa.
 In fact, the number of endemic species found here is greater than in any other forest in the Albertine Rift Mountains that has been surveyed.
 The forest, which reaches its maximum altitude of 3000 meters above sea level, is of particular interest for the presence of colonies of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes - Blumenbach, 1775) and Angola colobus (Colobus angolensis - Sclater 1860), the latter now extinct in Angola for the intense hunt for which they were subjected.
Primate species
Nyungwe is home to 13 species of primates.
Nyungwe Forest
Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
The only ape in Nyungwe, 500 live in this park.
 Your guide can help you spot them and their signs: calls, nests, or scat.
Adolf Friedrich's Angolan Colobus (Colobus angolensis ruwenzori)
Nyungwe is the only forest in Africa where these monkeys form large “supergroups” of over 350 individuals.
L'Hoest's Monkey (Cercopithecus l'hoesti)/Sun-tailed Gabon/Preuss’ Cameroon
These three monkeys were most likely one species that lived in a continuous larger forest before the last ice age.
 Over time the forest split into fragments and each monkey adapted to its own forest.
 Today they are separate species.
Blue Monkey ( Cercopithecus mitis doggetti)
These tree-dwelling guenons can be found around Uwinka.
Silver Monkey (Cercopithecus doggetti)
Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus kandti)
Hamlyn's Monkey (Cercopithecus hamlyni)
Red-tailed Monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius)
Dent's Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus denti)
Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)
Olive Baboon (Papio anubis)
Grey-cheeked Mangabey (Lophocebus albigena)Birds of Nyungwe
Nyungwe is classified by BirdLife International as an “Important Bird Area” (IBA), which means that the park has “true significance” for the international conservation of bird populations…”  In their fact sheet, they say that Nyungwe is one of the most important forests for conservation of montane birds in the region.
A birder’s paradise, Nyungwe is home to 278 species of birds—26 of those are found only in the few forests of the Albertine Rift.
Grauer’s Rush Warbler is an Albertine Rift endemic that thrives in isolated mountain swamps, such as Kamiranzovou.
Turacos such as this Ruwenzori Turaco are rare elsewhere but abundant in Nyungwe.
 You are likely to hear their loud repetitive call resonate in the forest.
Spectacular and rare sunbirds, such as the endemic Purple-breasted and Blue-headed can be seen feeding in flowering trees.
The Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, one of two hornbill species in the park, is known by its huge bill and honking call.
Some Albertine Rift Endemics Found in Nyungwe:Red-throated Alethe
Alehe poliophrysKungwe Apalis
Apalis argenteaRuwenzori Apalis
Apalis ruwenzoriiRuwenzori Batis
Batis diopsStripe-breasted Tit
Parus fasciiventerRuwenzori Nightjar
Caprimulgus ruwenzoriiArcher’s Robin-chat
Cossypha archeriDusky Crimson Wing
Cryptospiza jacksoniShelley’s Crimsonwing
Cryptospiza shelleyiHandsome Francolin
Francolinus nobilisNeumann’s Warbler
Hemitesia neumanniRed-collared Babbler
Kupeornis rufocinctusYellow-eyed Black Flycatcher
Melaenornis ardesiacusRegal Sunbird
Cinnyris regiusVegetation zones of the park:2950 m Subalpine – bamboo, shrubs
Species present: Podocarpus, Phillipia, bamboo, Erica johnstonii
2500 m: High elevation – upland trees
Species present:  Podocarpus, Syzygium, Macaranga, Balthacaria, Hagenia
2250 m: Middle elevation – tree ferns, tall trees
Species present:  Carapa, Entandophragma, Newtonia, Polycscias, Symphonia, Cyathea manniana
1900 m: Low elevation – taller trees
Species present:  Carapa, Newtonia, Engtandophragma, Prinaria exelsium,    Cyathea manniana, etc.

Epiphytes are mosses, ferns, orchids and other plants that live high in trees without needing soil.
  These “air plants” are characteristic of moist mountain rainforests.
This fruit is from a Carapa grandiflora, a tree commonly found in Nyungwe.
  Monkeys and squirrels eat the large round seeds, while chimps, monkeys and people eat the young fruits.
Entandrophragma excelsum, or African mahogany (locally called “umuyove”) is one of the largest trees in the forest!As altitude changes, so does vegetation.
 Nyungwe’s varied vegetation provides a diversity of habitats for its many species.
  Nyungwe has over 1000 different kinds of plants, many of which you will only find in the Albertine Rift.
The western part of Nyungwe was refugium for rare forest species and still has richer, taller forest with more biodiversity today.
The eastern part of Nyungwe forest was grasslands and shrub during the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago.
Only in NyungweNyungwe’s great variety of plants and animals, some found nowhere else, makes it one of the most important protected places in all of Africa.
This impatiens is named in honor of President Kagame for his efforts in environmental protection.
  It is endemic to the Albertine Rift and found in Cyamudongo and parts of Congo.
  (Impatiens kagamei)This impatiens is endemic to Nyungwe, found only on Mt.
 Bigugu—it grows nowhere else in the world!  (Impatiens nyungwensis)This begonia is found only in western Nyungwe.
  (Begonia pulcherrima).
Abundant Plant Species

Don’t let all the green fool you, Nyungwe forest is comprised of over 1,000 different kinds of plants, many of which you’ll only see in the Albertine Rift.
Medicinal plants
Nyungwe National Park is home to many medicinal plants.
 The following list includes some of the plants that can be found in the Park.
 Descriptions of some of these plants can be found in the Handbook of African Medicinal Plants by Maurice M.
 Iwu.
 Another book that might be of interest is Medicinal Plants of East Africa by John O.
 Kokwaro.
Scientific name / English name / Kinyarwanda name / Traditional UsesErythrina abyssinica/ Lucky bean tree/Flame tree /Umuko
Gonorrhea, Burns, Joint pain, Fresh cuts/wounds, Backache, Syphilis.
 According to the World Agroforestry Centre, it is also “used in Kenya to treat diseases such as anthrax, and the bark is boiled with goat meat for treating gonorrhoea.
The bark of the green stem may also be pounded and then tied into a fine piece of cloth and the liquid from it squeezed into the eyes to cure inflammation of the lids.
”Zanthoxylum gilletii/ East African satinwood/ Umuturirwa
Cold and fever, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Ulcers, ToothacheVernonia amygdalina/ Bitter leaf/ Umubirizi
Malaria, Fever, Worms, Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, AsthmaCrassocephalum vitellium/ Isununu/
Sterility in men, High blood pressurePrunus African/ Bitter almond/ Umwumba
Fever, Stomachache, Benign prostate cancer, Diabetes, CoughFicus natalensis/ Bark-cloth fig/ Imvuvumu
Stimulation of pregnancy, Cold, Cough, Wounds, Bed wettingSyzygium guinense/ Waterberry/ Umugote
Amoebas, PoisonCarapa grandflora/ Bitter Oil/ Umushwati
AmoebasMyrica californica/ California Bayberry/ Umusengesi
Poison, Stomach acheOrchidsIf you visit at the right time and you look closely, you can see lots of these in the park.
  How many kinds can you find in Nyungwe?  Nyungwe has over 140 species of orchids!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 they reach here so if you're getting a bus out it may be best to try to 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 offshoot of the park, not the park proper.
From Kigali to the Uwinka the bus costs around 5000 RWF and takes over 5 hours.
 There is also a park office in Kitabi.
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.
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).
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.
 For the best experience, most tourists tend to combine chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe with a gorilla tour in the nearby Volcanoes National Park.
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.
Canopy Walk - In October 2010, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)  launched canopy walk tourism in Nyungwe National Park as part of a strategy to diversify tourism attractions.
 Canopy tourism is also aimed at encouraging tourists to spend a longer time in Rwanda.
 The Canopy Walk is the only attraction of its kind in East Africa.
This is the first ever hanging platform that allows tourists to view different animal species in Nyungwe Forest.
 The dizzying platform is above a steep and deep valley stretching across the massive forest.
John Gara, CEO of the RDB, said the platform is 50 meters above ground level and 90 meters long.
 It allows tourists to view butterflies, birds and blue monkeys that dwell in the upper levels of the forest.
 The forest has 13 rare primate species, the world’s largest ever recorded arboreal troop of black/white colobus monkeys, and nearly 300 species of birds and 154 types of orchids.
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 principle, Colobus monkey tracking is also available but they may have moved too far away from the trail head to be tracked.
  Should they move back this may be possible again in the future.
There is a small kiosk selling basics, but if you are camping bring whatever food you will need.
Water, Soft drinks and Primus (beer) is available.
There are guest houses on 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.
At the upper end is the Nyungwe Forest Lodge, which is a luxurious eco-lodge surrounded by tea fields and at the edge of Nyungwe Forest.
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!The NR10 highway passed through the park.
 It's easy to catch a bus to/from any locations along it.
 That means the park, and lodges near it, are well connected to Huye or Kigali.
 If you are heading the other direction, it's just as easy to get to Kibuye, where you can connect to Gisenyi or Ruhengeri.
 Just make sure to start early if you are going far because the buses are slow.