Nyungwe Forest Chimp Tracking

Nyungwe National Park, officially established in 2005, spans approximately 1,019 square kilometers in southwestern Rwanda. This vast expanse of montane rainforest was recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 2023, recognizing its exceptional biodiversity. The park's history of conservation dates back to 1933 when it was first designated as a forest reserve. The forest is a critical water catchment area, supplying 70% of Rwanda's water and feeding into both the Congo and Nile river basins. Its diverse landscape includes rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs. This variety of habitats supports over 1,068 plant species, including 200 types of orchids, and more than 322 species of birds. Nyungwe is home to an estimated 500 chimpanzees, with two main groups habituated for tourist tracking. One of the most accessible groups resides in the fragmented Cyamudongo Forest, while another larger group of over 60 individuals lives near the Uwinka reception center. Chimpanzee trekking here is considered physically demanding due to the steep terrain. Beyond the chimpanzees, the park is a primate paradise, hosting 13 different species, which accounts for about 25% of all primate species in Africa. This includes the world's largest recorded troop of Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus monkeys, with over 400 members. Other notable primates include the L'Hoest's monkey, endemic to the Albertine Rift. The biodiversity of Nyungwe extends to 85 mammal species and a remarkable number of endemic species. Among these are 29 bird species and 21 butterfly species found only in the Albertine Rift. The critically endangered Hill's horseshoe bat is one of the species endemic to the park itself. Conservation efforts in Nyungwe face significant challenges, including illegal poaching, mining, and encroachment from agriculture due to high population density around the park. In 2020, the Rwanda Development Board partnered with African Parks for a 20-year management agreement to bolster conservation, community development, and tourism. The park's last known elephant was poached in 1999, and the last buffalo was killed in 1974, highlighting the historical pressures on its larger wildlife. Current conservation strategies focus on anti-poaching patrols, which have significantly reduced the number of snares found, and community engagement to reduce human-wildlife conflict.