Nyungwe and Akagera national park safari

Nyungwe National Park & Akagera National Park : These two national parks are all found in Rwanda and their combination makes the perfect primate and wildlife safari in Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest National Park is the ideal destination for chimpanzee trekking tours in Rwanda, while Akagera National Park is the perfect place for wildlife safaris in Rwanda.

Nyungwe National Park, also referred to as Nyungwe Forest National Park, was first established as a forest reserve in 1903 by the German colonial government. Later in 2004, it was gazetted as a national park by the Rwandan Government.

The national park covers an area of about 1020 square kilometers and receives a record amount of 2000mm of rainfall every year. The forest is also Rwanda’s largest water catchment area holding 2/3rds of all the country’s water. This large tropical forest also contributes to the water distribution in River Congo and the Nile River as well. The national park is elevated at an altitude between 1600 to 2950 meters above sea level.

Nyungwe National Park is located in the Southwestern part of Rwanda, and borders Burundi in the South, with Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the West. The national park is part of the famous Nyungwe Forest which is the largest tropical rain forest in East and Central Africa. It is believed to have been in existence for over thousands of years.

The national park is home to about 14 primate species, 300 bird species, 2000 plant species, 90 mammal species and 38 reptile species. This national park is truly gifted by nature and tourists visiting the national park have a lot to see and do while in the park.

Among some of the activities that visitors in Nyungwe National Park can do include; the canopy walk, guided nature walks, birding, hiking to Isumo waterfalls, and chimpanzee trekking to mention but a few.

Some of the attractions that visitors in the park can see include; black & white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, the Grey cheeked Mangabey, Angola colobus monkey, the Silver monkey, Hamlyn’s monkey, vervet monkey, Olive Baboon and the Red tailed monkey, and numerous bird species such as; Regal Sun bird, Ruwenzori Batis, Black and White casqued Hornbill, Batis diops, Crytospiza Jackson bird and the Yellow- eyed Black Flycatcher among so many more.

As far as accommodation is concerned, visitors can stay in the following facilities; Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe One & Only, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge and Nyungwe Top View Hotel. These accommodation facilities carter for all kinds of visitors ranging from budget to mid—range and luxury travelers.

After a visit to Nyungwe National Park, visitors can connect to Akagera National Park for a wildlife safari. Akagera National Park is located in Kayonza district in the northeastern province of Rwanda. The national park was first established in 1934 by the Belgian colonial government and it is the only refuge for savannah wildlife animals in Rwanda. This is the only national park in the country where visitors have the opportunity to see the Big Five animals, which include; the lion, leopard, buffalo, African Bush Elephant and the Rhino.

Akagera National Park in Rwanda derives its name from River Kagera which flows through the national park and on-wards into Uganda. Most Akagera national park is dominated by swamps, marshland, savannah grasslands, woodland, forests, lakes and rivers. The national park has a total of 10 lakes that are located in different areas within the park, with the most popular ones being; Lakes Ihema, Shakani, and Rwanyakazinga among others.

Visitors in Akagera National Park can take part in a number of interesting and fun-filled activities which include; day & night guided game drives, guided nature walk, behind the scenes Akagera tour, Walk the line tour, boat cruises, camping, sport fishing and others.

Among some of the attractions that visitors can see in Akagera national park include; zebras, giraffes, buffalo, lions, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, duikers, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas, antelopes and even the rare Shoebill stock among others. The national park also has unique bird species like; marabou stocks, egrets, crowned cranes, herons, Swamp Fly Catchers, the Red Faced Barbets and so many more species.

Visitors looking to spend a night or more in Akagera national park can stay in the following accommodation facilities; Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Safari Camp, Ruzizi Tented Camp, and Karenge Bush Camp. The national park also has designated camping sites for visitors interested in outdoor camping, and these camping sites include; Shakani Akagera Campsite, Mutumba Campsite, and Muyumbu campsite.

Visitors travelling from Nyungwe Forest National Park to Akagera National Park will have to use 4×4 wheel drive safari vehicles when travelling by road. It takes approximately 6½ hours, covering a distance of about 291 kilometers.

Visitors can choose to combine a chimpanzee trekking tour in Nyungwe Forest National Park with a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park. At Explore Rwanda Tours, we offer our clients the best Chimpanzee trekking and wildlife tours to Rwanda, and at very affordable rates.