This 1000 sq.km. Jungle in the south of rwanda is the largest and most ancient afro-mountane forest remaining in the East & Central Africa, dating back to the last ice age. One of the Africa´s Best kept secrets, the forest is inter-spersed with well marked and maintained trails and boasts 13 rare primate species, the world´s largest eveer recorded arboreal troup of black/white Colobus monkeys, over 300 species of birds and 100 types of orchids. Nyungwe forest and chimpanzee trekking is the ideal complement to any Gorilla safari.
COLOBUS MONKEYS
The Colobus monkey has a number of features that demonstrate adaptation to a life spent primarily in the upper levels of the forest canopy. A light weight bone structure and elongated limbs make it easier to leap from branch to branch. A hand with four fingers and no thumb provides a strong grasp on branches as the animal moves through the trees. (The name “colobus” means “mutilated one” and refers to the missing thumb.)
In Nyungwe you can watch them traveling from tree to tree, often performing spectacular downward leaps of 15-20 feet, during which the long shoulder hair acts like a parachute, fanning out to help check the animal’s descent.
This same white fringe also provides camouflage by breaking up the animal’s outline. Unlike other Old World monkeys, the Colobus has no cheek pouches. Home range of individual troops are defined and marked by a creaking and rattling vocalization. In Nyungwe Nationalpark the Angolan Colobus which may number over 400 individuals, are the largest aggregations of this species of the world.
CHIMPANZEES
Two species of chimpanzee occur in Africa. There is the Bonobo and the Common Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes (often shortened to Chimpanzee, and sometimes referred
to as the Robust Chimpanzee). The largest remaining populations occur in central Africa (Gabon, DR Congo and
Cameroon). About only 400 individuals, the population in Rwanda is an endangered one.
Early in the morning, around 6.00 am, after a two hours walk through the jungle, the chance to see the some of the apes hanging around in the trees and eating, is very high. It takes a lot of patience to observe them very well.
But if they are some in the middle of the cool morning mist, shouting around like to the dawn of the human beeing, is
an unforgetable experience
Holidays to Nyungwe Forest
TREKKING
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!
NYUNGWE FOREST CANOPY WALKING ADVENTURE
Memorable Canopy Walking Adventure in Nyungwe forest, a home to 13 primate species like Big groups of Chimpanzees, Vervets, Angolan, Black & White Colobus monkeys, Golden Monkeys, L’hoest’s etc and 288 birds.
