Best time to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park has always been a topic of contemplation by intending safari-goers. Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Rwanda’s most popular destinations and the prime Chimpanzee tracking destination set within the forested hills of South-western Rwanda bordering Burundi and approximately 225 kilometers/4-5 hours’ drive from the Capital (Kigali). Book Now
Views of Nyungwe Forest. Photo by: One &Only Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest National Park is open for visitation all year round although the drier months of January, February, June, July, August, September, and December are the most preferred because, during these months, the trails are less wet and slippery in addition to vegetation being less thick hence making hiking easier and tourists experience limited interruptions from rainfall while undertaking activities. Since the conditions tend to be dry underfoot and the odds of being drenched by a shower are relatively low, this has favored other activities to take place including nature walks as well as the breathtaking canopy walks and among others. Besides visiting Nyungwe forest, this is an excellent season for tracking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Because it falls into the long dry season, this is also the best time to visit Akagera National Park. Game safari drives and wildlife viewing is less tasking in the park
The wetter months of March, April, May, October, and November are often avoided because hiking trails tend to be wet, slippery and vegetation thicker making hiking slightly challenging and difficult. Nonetheless, some activities such as birding are best done during the wet season because breeding usually takes place in the rainy season and migratory bird species are common at such a time. Also due to the plenty of food/vegetation during the wet season, most primates rarely move to long distances because food is easily accessible hence making activities such as chimpanzee tracking and Colobus monkey tracking a lot easier, so the best time to visit Nyungwe is much ideal in dry months.
As a traveler visiting Nyungwe Forest must know that this is a tropical rainforest; hence it can experience rainfall at any anytime of the year even in the dry season therefore advised to be prepared at all times by carrying a waterproof rain jacket among other important requirements.