|
|
 |
| WHERE
AFRICA COMES TOGETHER |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
|
NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
 Extending
for 1,000 square kilometres across the majestic hills
of southeast Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest
block of montane forest in East or Central Africa, and
one of the most ancient, dating back to before the last
Ice Age. A uniquely rich centre of floral diversity,
the forest has more than 200 different types of tree,
and a myriad of flowering plants including the other-worldly
giant lobelia and a host of colourful orchids.
Nyungwe is most alluring for its primates: 13 species
in all, including humankind's closest living relative
the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L'Hoest's monkey
and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic
Angola colobus. The most important ornithological site
in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours almost 300 bird species
of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane
forests on the Albertine Rift. The avian highlight of
Nyungwe is the great blue turaco - an outlandish blue,
red and green bird which streams from tree to tree like
a procession of streamlined psychedelic turkeys.
An extensive network of well-maintained walking trails
leads through the forest to various waterfalls and viewing
points. A comfortably rustic resthouse and perfectly
situated campsite lie alongside the main road, and the
reserve can readily be visited as a day trip from the
towns of Butare and Cyangugu. Nyungwe does, however,
deserve more time: anybody who wants to track chimps
and see several varieties of smaller primate will need
two days there - and dedicated birdwatchers might never
want to leave!
Accommodations:
For more information on accommodations available in
Butare, click here
For more information on accommodations available in
Cyangugu, click here
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
 The
Virungas are the last outpost of the endangered mountain
gorilla, and their lush slopes provide an appropriately
dramatic natural setting for what is perhaps the most
poignant and thrilling wildlife experience to be had
in Africa. Nothing can prepare the visitor for the impact
of encountering a troop of gorillas munching bamboo
in their unfenced natural habitat. The sheer physical
presence of an adult male silverback - three times as
bulky as the average man, yet remarkably peaceable and
tolerant of human visitors - defies verbal description.
Nor are there words to convey the thrill of recognition
attached to staring deep into the liquid brown eyes
of these gentle giants, who share some 97% of their
genes with humans.
That mountain gorillas survive today is largely thanks
to Dian Fossey, who is buried at Karisoke, her research
centre in the Virungas, alongside some of the animals
to which she dedicated her life. Fossey became a household
name following the release of the biographical film
Gorillas in the Mist, which was set in the Parc National
des Volcans, and shot on location there. Critical and
public acclaim ensured that Gorillas in the Mist also
served to raise international awareness of the plight
of the mountain gorilla, whose numbers have increased
from an all-time low of 250 in the 1970s to almost 400
in 2001. Roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas
are resident on the Rwandan slopes of the Virungas,
where four habituated groups - ranging in size from
seven to 37 individuals - can be visited by up to 32
tourists daily. Permits to visit the gorillas are issued
by the Office Rwandaise du Tourisme
et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) / The Rwanda Tourism
Board, in Kigali or Ruhengeri.
Accommodations:
For more information on accommodations available in
Ruhengeri, click here
|
| |
|
| |
|
BIRDS,
BUTTERFLIES AND ORCHIDS |
|
 Rwanda’s
location in the Albertine Rift and its dense forests and
mountains create a unique and remarkable environment for
the ecotourist to enjoy. Though small, (about 250km east-west
by 150km north-south), it has a bird list of over 670
species and supports a higher number of Albertine Rift
endemics than any other country outside the DR Congo.
The wetlands and lakes of Akagera
National Park is home to the elusive Shoebill stork,
and is one of the easiest sites in the region where it
can be seen. In addition, Akagera supports a mixture of
acacia and papyrus species, including red-faced barbet,
Bennett`s woodpecker, papyrus gonolek, white-headed, black
and familiar chats, Carruther`s and Tabora cisticolas,
white-winged and broad-tailed warblers and miombo wren-warblers.
The existing lodge at Akagera is being renovated, but
there are plenty of camp sites to stay at while exploring
the park. It is a rewarding trip for visiting birders,
who will find a supporting cast of large mammals, including
hippo, elephant and giraffe.
 In
the southwest, just a few hours drive from Akagera, Nyungwe
Forest National Park is a vast tract of virgin forest,
one of the largest uncut natural forest reserves remaining
in Africa and home to more than 300 species of birds,
27 of which are regional endemics. Much of the forest
is unexplored, with access being extremely difficult,
because of the steep high hills and deep valleys. However,
an excellent winding tarmac road bisects the forest, following
the crest of the mountains. This road is one of the few
places in the world that allows the visitor to look directly
into and even down on the rainforest canopy. Along this
road you can find most of the Albertine Rift endemics,
including handsome francolin, Rwenzori turaco, mountain
sooty boubou, Rwenzori batis, yellow-eyed black flycatcher,
Archer`s robin-chat, Rwenzori hill babbler, Grauer`s rush,
Neumann`s and Grauer`s warblers, masked mountain apalis,
stripe-breasted tit and Strange weaver, and a full range
of Rwenzori double-collared, purple-throated, blue-headed
and regal sunbirds. A speciality is the red-collared mountain
babbler, which has its only easily accessible site here,
as does Kungwe apalis. Recent possible sightings of Rockefeller`s
sunbird show that much is left to be discovered, and perhaps
even such gems as the Congo peacock (found only 70km distant
in the DR Congo) could exist in the remote dense forest!
There are also good forest tracks for birding based
around the ORTPN Guesthouse at Gisakura, and the ORTPN
Campsite at Uwinka, where some of the more skulking
species can be seen such as the red-throated alethe,
Archer`s robin-chat, Kivu ground thrush, collared apalis,
and Shelley`s and dusky crimsonwing. Other special birds
here include white-bellied robin-chat, Doherty`s and
Lagden`s bush-shrikes, white-tailed blue flycatcher,
great blue turaco, barred long-tailed cuckoo and white-bellied
crested flycatcher. At night, Rwenzori nightjar is not
uncommon, Albertine owlet may be found, and there might
be a possibility to see the Congo bay-owl. Add to this
the presence of 13 primates, including chimpanzee, more
than 100 different butterflies and over 125 varieties
of wild orchids and this should be a site on any birders
must-visit list.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
ORTPN/Rwanda Tourist Board Contact Details
For further information, contact your travel agent or:
Office Rwandaise du Tourisme et des Parcs Nationaux
(ORTPN)
The Rwanda Tourism Board
Boulevard de la Révolution n° 1
PO Box 905
Kigali, Rwanda
Tel (250) 576514 or 573396
Fax (250) 576515
Email: reservation@rwandatourism.com
For more information on tour operators,
travel agents and accommodations
in Rwanda, please go to our Travel
Guide section
|
| |
|
|
