Colobus Monkey Trekking In Nyungwe Forest. A Complete Guide By Safari Experts

Colobus Monkey Trekking In Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the oldest rain forests in East Africa, it is angelically placed in the western part of Rwanda, the protected conservation area is dominated by tropical forest tree species rising to 55meters tall that form an angelic canopy, the forest covers an area space of approximately 1020 square kilometres, Nyungwe was gazette in 2004 following the government of Rwanda recognising the need to boost tourism in the sector, it is home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, owl faced monkeys to mention a few and over 500 species of birds.

There are large troops of colobus monkeys living within the Nyungwe Forest National Park, the name Colobus is a Greek word to mean Mutilated, because these type of monkeys do not have thumbs compared to other monkeys, they grip the tree branches with support of their tails, they are characterised by their Long white Mantle, whiskers, bushy trail, and a u-shaped cape of white hair running down their shoulders to the lower back, they weigh between 4 to 14 kilograms and approximately 75meters long. The black and white colobus monkeys are native to Africa and are closely related to the red colobus monkeys. These are divided into 2 troops: the eastern colobus monkey and the Angolan colobus monkey. They are social primates and live in groups of 8 to 15 individuals.

Colobus monkey tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the most thrilling things to do in Rwanda, imagine watching more than 300 colobus monkeys at a go in one area, the activity sparks off at 8:00 am with a briefing from the park rangers, the morning time, it is an active time of the primates, feeding, and grooming happens in the morning, the colobus monkeys are more active compared to the chimpanzees, there is a group in the forest that is seemingly makes it more interesting, as they swing up and down of trees. The trek starts from and Uwinka visitor center, and it takes 2-3 hours to do the activity. Upon finding the primates, an hour is allowed with them and later return. They present the best picture moments, and there are many.

What to carry for trekking colobus monkeys includes insect repellents, drinking water, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, cameras, waterproof hiking boots, hats, a raincoat or a poncho, safari-themed clothes, hand gloves, sunscreen, and any other important items of personal nature. Colobus monkey tracking can be done all year round but best during the dry season in December, February, June, July, August, September and in the early October, during this time the trails of the park are much drier hence easier to hike through, the forest is at its best with less rain fall.

Besides colobus monkey tracking in Nyungwe Forest national Park, several other activities can be combined during your trip for example chimpanzee tracking, the park is the only place of Rwanda where chimpanzee tracking is done, the primates have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA, they live in the forest areas, nest in the tree canopies, feeding on plants, leaves, tree backs, insects and occasionally small monkeys. These are tracked in the morning hours for 2-3 hours through the well-distributed trails of the forest, en route, expect to encounter plants of different species, other primate types, for example, the red colobus monkey, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, to mention a few. The Nyungwe forest Canopy Walk, conducted on a suspended bridge within the forest, is one of the best things to do while on safari in Nyungwe of western Rwanda. The activity can be done by up to individuals 6 years of age. Birding in the forest is a rewarding experience; guests have the chance to view Albertine endemics despite Rwanda not having rare birds in the destination.

There is available accommodation within and outside the park premises ranging from the best budget to luxury facilities, these do offer great places to stay and mouth dropping meals to travellers for example the One and Only Nyungwe Lodge, Nyungwe top hill Lodge to mention a few.