Rwanda National Parks
Nyungwe Forest National Park
This forest was gazetted as a national park in 2004. The park has a total area of 970 KM².
The main features and attractions in Nyungwe forest include the following.
- Largest montane rain forest remaining in Africa.
- Mt. Bigugu (2925M)
- Kamiranzovu marsh (13 Km²)
- In the vicinity Cyamudongo community forest with resident population of Chimpanzees.
- 260 species of trees and shrubs.
- Over 100 species of orchids and giant lobelias.
- More than 275 species of birds recorded Including the Ruwenzori turaco, Ross’s turaco, Grey –cheeked hornbill, Red-throated alethe, Red-breasted sparrow hawk, White-headed wood.
What to do in the park
- Bird walks for bird watchers
- Primate trekking.
- Excursions to Kamiranzovu Marsh, Lake Kivu and Gisakura tea factory.
- Scaling Mt Bigugu(2925M).
- Photography.
- Chimpanzee tracking starts at 06:00 Hrs. Visitors are advised to book chimpanzee tracking in advance
DETAILS ON NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Akagera National Park
- Habitats: The park is covered with bust savanna tangled with acacia and branchystagia woodlands with stands of Euphorbia candlebrum, patches of rolling grasslands, riverine, lakes and swamps. The western parts of the park are hills reaching to elevations of 1600m-1800m above sea level.
- Features and attractions of Akagera National Park include ;-
Akagera River,Lakes: Ihema, Kivumba, Hago, Mihindi and Rwanyakizinga. - Mammal population like .elephants, buffalos, lions, Maasai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Butchel’s zebra, topi, bush baby, leopard and bushbuck. Aquatic include crocodiles and hippos.
- Bird life with over 525 species identified. Unique species such as Shoe billed stocks and papyrus gonolek can be encountered. Endemics include the jacanas, ibis, sand pipers and herons.
DETAILED INFORMATION ON AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Volcanoes National Park
The park was gazetted in 1925 with the major objective of protecting the Mountain Gorillas. It is one of the first National Park in Africa covering an area of 12,500 Hac.
Volcanoes NP is located in Ruhengeri 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Kigali to the Northwest of Rwanda.
Special Features of the volcanoes national park
- The Virungas with five peaks-Karisimbi (4507M), Bisoke (3711M), Sabyinyo (3634M), Gahinga (3474M) and Muhabura (4127M).
- The last families of mountain Gorillas on earth.
- Other animals including– the rare golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), Cape buffalo, black fronted duiker; a profusion of bird life including the Ruwenzori turaco, and beautiful francolins.
- In the vicinity the beautiful lakes Burera and Ruhundo.
- The Virunga ecosystem is composed of 4 major vegetation zones: Bamboo (base altitude), Hagenia and Hypericum forest (2600-3300m), Sub-alpine (3300-4000m), and Afro-alpine (4000m+).
- Between Bisoke and Sabyinyo volcanoes lies lakes Ngezi, Nyirambubu, Gasindikira and Muraro. Crater lake is at the peak of Bisoke. Visit to the lakes can be organized.
- When to track; High altitude makes it generally cold, especially during the evenings. Gorilla viewing is possible all the year round.
- Families of gorillas are habituated for tourist. These are:
· Susa group- the largest group with recent count of 37 due to recent twin birth.