Animals in Nyungwe Forest National Park Rwanda

Home » ANIMALS IN NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK – FAUNA

ANIMALS IN NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK – FAUNA

Discover the fascinating animals in Nyungwe Forest National Park worth looking at during Rwanda wildlife safaris.

From the stunning 13 primate types or species, including Chimpanzees and many species of monkeys; 300+ beautiful birds; 86+ mammals; 43+ reptiles; and 31+ amphibians, many of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift, Nyungwe National Park is definitely a biodiversity hotspot.

Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in the southwest part of Rwanda, is one of Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots with a high montane rainforest in the Albertine rift, particularly famous for its primates and birds.

It is also found in a watershed located between the River Nile in the east and the River Congo of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. And the eastern part is where one of the Nile sources is found.

Nyungwe NP has several habitats hosting the animals, including the Nyungwe Forest, Cyamudongo Forest, Gisakura tea estate, Bigugu mountain, Cyinzobe area, and hiking trails.

It is a Rwanda national park managed by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its outstanding biodiversity and endemism.

Explore the Most Popular Nyungwe Forest National Park Tour Packages Below.

Essential insights about the animals in Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda has over 86 mammals, 13 primates, 300+ birds, including ~30 Albertine Rift endemics, over 43+ reptiles, and 31+ amphibian species.
Nyungwe Forest NP has one of the largest populations of endemic species in Africa, with over 14 mammal species and 26 avian species endemic to the Albertine Rift.
You have plenty of chances to see the animal species in Nyungwe NP if you join in safari activities such as chimpanzee trekking, birdwatching, and colobus monkey tracking, among many others.
Additional information you need to understand as you start planning Rwanda safaris to go see the animals in the Nyungwe NP.

Here is a breakdown of the fascinating animals worth seeing when visiting Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park!

Primates

Primates are one of the major animals found in Nyungwe National Park, often seen during Rwanda primate tours.

Nyungwe NP hosts over 13 primate species, including

Eastern Chimpanzees

Eastern chimpanzees are the main primate species and attraction of Nyungwe NP, often seen during Rwanda chimpanzee trekking tours.

Sharing close to 98% DNA with humans, the chimpanzees are found in the Nyungwe Forest and Cyamudongo forest inside Nyungwe National Park, their natural habitat, in habituated groups available for tracking.

There are over 500 chimpanzees found in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park.

Monkey Species

Besides the chimpanzees, Nyungwe Forest NP also has several monkey species, including

Angola Colobus Monkeys/Rwenzori colobus monkeys (in supergroups of about 400-600 individuals, the largest ever recorded on the continent, and they are an endemic species found in the Albertine Rift Mountains)
Golden monkeys (small numbers)
Grey Cheeked Mangabeys
Blue monkeys
Owl-faced monkeys/ Hamyn’s Monkeys
Dent’s Mona monkeys
Silver monkeys
Vervet monkeys
Olive baboons
l’Hoest’s monkey (300+ individuals)
Bushbabies
Red-tailed monkeys

Some of these monkey species are considered to be nocturnal species, including the pottos and several species of galagos (eastern needle-clawed galago) or bushbabies.

Other Mammals

Nyungwe is home to over 86 mammal species, with around 14 of them being endemic to the Albertine Rift. Some of the notable ones are.

Antelope Species

Nyungwe National Park is home to several antelope species often seen during guided walks and hikes. Some of the antelope species include

Duikers, like the black-fronted duiker, the Yellow-backed duiker
bushbucks

Carnivores

Carnivores are one of the unique animal species found in Nyungwe Forest National Park, seen during Rwanda safaris. There are several big and small carnivores in the park, including

Elusive Leopards
African golden cats
Servals
Side-striped jackals
African civets
Genets
Tree Hyrax
Mongoose, etc.

OTHERS

Elusive elephants in the deeper sections of the park
Rare Giant Forest Hogs
Congo clawless otters
White-bellied Pangolins
Critically endangered Hills’ Horseshoe Bat

Birds

Nyungwe National Park is home to over 275-322 bird species, including over 26-30+ endemic species, forest specialists, and other resident avians, which makes it a world-class birdwatching destination.

Some of the Albertine Rift endemics found in Nyungwe NP include

The great blue turaco
Rwenzori Turaco
Grauer’s Swamp Warbler
Chapin’s Flycatcher
Grey Parrots
Colored sunbirds, e.g., the regal sunbird and purple-breasted sunbird
Albertine owlet
Archer’s robin chat
Red collared mountain babbler

All these are best seen during birdwatching excursions, especially in March to May, though year-round bird spotting is also possible.

Other Wildlife Species in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Beyond the birds, mammals, and primates, there are other wildlife species in the park seen during Rwanda tours, and they include.

Reptiles And Amphibians

Nyungwe National Park hosts over 32 amphibians and 38+ reptile species, including

Chameleons
Forest snakes
Lizards
Several frogs

Insects

Nyungwe Forest National Park is also home to several insects, both big and small, and some of the species present include

120+ Butterflies
Moths
Driver ants

Plant Species

Beyond the living animals, Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 1,068 plant species that are part of the wildlife in the park, with over 200 tree species and 140 orchid types with most common one named Mahogany.

Some of the key plant species present in the Nyungwe vegetation zones and montane forests include.

Mahogany trees
Flowering plants
Tree ferns
Tall trees eg Carapa, Cyathea Manniana and Newtonia
Orchids that look vibrant during blooming time
Endemic plants like Impatiens kagamei, etc.
Herbaceous and Medicinal plants, among other forest plants. READ MORE!

Popular Safari Activities Done to See the Animals in Nyungwe National Park (e.g., Chimpanzee Trekking and Nyungwe Canopy Walk)

Nyungwe Forest National Park offers a variety of safari activities that allow visitors to experience the rich biodiversity of the park, including

Chimpanzee trekking to see large troops of huge chimps
Colobus monkey trekking
Nyungwe Canopy walkway set up above ground level (50m above sea level) for birds and monkeys (only treetop walkway in East Africa)
Birding on various designated trails like Kamiranzovu, Bigugu, Uwinka, etc. Especially in January to June, when migrants arrive.
Guided night walks for smaller mammals and nocturnal species.
Guided forest walks
Hiking trails
Tea Plantation visits
Mountain climbing
Cultural tours, etc. READ MORE!

Best Time to See Animals in Nyungwe Forest Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a year-round Rwanda safari destination that can be explored during the dry and rainy seasons.

However, for you to see most of the animals that call Nyungwe Forest National Park home, we strongly encourage you to visit during the dry seasons (optimal time) from June to September and December to February, when the trails are dry, perfect for tracking chimpanzees; animals are concentrated around watering holes; and there are clear blue skies to see the birds and small mammals. READ MORE!

Nyungwe National Park Animals: Threats and Conservation

Nyungwe National Park animals face several threats that affect their survival, such as

Poaching (e.g., the last buffalo was killed in 1974 by poachers)
Habitat loss
Human wildlife encroachment
Climate change, which affects plant growth (eg it eroded the grasslands and shrub in the park that were present during the last ice age)
Invasive species, etc.

However, despite these challenges, the Rwanda government, through the Rwanda Development Board, in partnership with other NGOs and stakeholders, is working tirelessly to mitigate the threats via conservation efforts like

Anti-poaching patrols
Park management using strict park rules
Regeneration of forests
Reforestation
Community involvement, etc.

Average Costs to Incur When Exploring Rwanda’s Nyungwe Park Animals

To see the animals in Nyungwe NP, you can expect to pay or spend money on activities and entrance fees, i.e.

Chimpanzee trekking permits- USD 100-200 per person
Nyungwe Canopy Walkway- USD 60-80
Colobus Monkey Trekking- USD 40-80
Birding- USD 40-150
Park Entrance Fees- USD 5-100 depending on nationality and age

Getting To Nyungwe National Park

The most efficient way to get to Nyungwe Park, located ~225km southwest of Kigali near Lake Kivu in Rusizi with the nearest town being Cyangugu, is by flying into Kigali international airport and transferring to the park via road transfers (5-6 hour drive via Butare town) or taking a domestic flight to Kamembe airstrip (~45 minutes) followed by a short drive to the park headquarters in Uwinka or Gisovu. READ MORE!

Nyungwe National Park Accommodation

When you visit Nyungwe Park to see its animals, you have plenty of accommodation options to stay, ranging from budget to midrange to top luxury, such as One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guesthouse, etc. READ MORE!

Rwanda Safari Packing List for Nyungwe Park Wildlife Tours

We strongly encourage you to pack and carry some of these clothing and essential items when coming to Nyungwe National Park to see the animals, i.e., sturdy hiking boots/shoes, rain jacket/poncho, birding binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, camera, warm layers, etc. READ MORE!

Other Tourist Attractions to see in Nyungwe Park

Bigugu mountain
Hiking trails
Lakes and rivers
Cyinzobe area
Cyamudongo forest
Nyungwe Canopy walk way
Tea plantations
Isumo waterfalls, etc. READ MORE!

Reputable Rwanda Travel Agencies Offering Wildlife Safaris

Answers To Commonly Asked Questions About Animals in Nyungwe NP

What Animals Are in Nyungwe National Park?

The animals in Nyungwe Park include chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), duikers, L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, elephants, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, birds, carnivores, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, among others.

Are There Gorillas in Nyungwe?

No, there are no gorillas in Nyungwe Park. The rarely encountered gorillas in Rwanda are only found in one park in the country, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

What Is Unique About Nyungwe National Park?

Nyungwe Park is unique in East and Central Africa because of its incredible biodiversity, unique habitats, and fascinating canopy walkways.

Which Of the Following Primates Can Be Found in Nyungwe National Park?

Eastern chimpanzees and various monkey species like dent’s mona monkeys, such as the Rwenzori colobus monkeys and blue monkeys, among others, are some of the primates in Nyungwe NP.

Call or email us today and we will plan the best safari for you to see all these animals firsthand!