The Ndambarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest, southwestern Rwanda, is one of the best hiking trips to see this pristine natural wonder. The entire guided experience is done in 3-4 hours to cover the 9.5 kilometers adventure. As you hike to the Ndabarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest, other opportunities offered to you include seeing birds, primates, and other wildlife species. This great experience starts at around 7:00 AM with a short briefing before the adventure starts.
What is the cost of hiking to the Ndambarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest?
The Ndambarare Waterfalls hike in Nyungwe Forest costs USD 30 per person, minus the park entrance fees, which are USD 100 per person. For a seamless experience, book the Ndambarare Waterfalls tour in Nyungwe Forest with a registered tour operator, like Standard Safaris. We offer unforgettable tour experiences with our exceptional Nyungwe Forest itineraries, which can be designed to suit your preferred adventures.
What is the best time to hike the Ndambarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest?
The Ndambabarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest flow at all times, so they can be explored on any day of the year. However, for an uninterrupted hiking experience, visit during the dry season. During this time, the weather is cool and wet, but the rains are not as heavy as during the wet season. The forest trails are not slippery, so you will face fewer challenges in walking on them.
The dry season is experienced from June to mid-September and also from mid-December to February. However, because the former period is the peak season, you might want to hike to the Ndambarare Waterfalls during the wet season if you are a budget traveler. This is usually during the wet season, which runs from March to May. A second rainy season is experienced in October and November.
Accommodation, transport, and some activities are offered at discount rates during the low seasons. During this time, however, you should be determined enough to brave the muddy and slippery waterfall trails. The atmosphere is also relatively cooler and humid. However, you will also have fun with an experience done during a time when heavy rains are expected any time. Just do not forget to carry your rain jacket or poncho with you.
How to get there?
Get to Ndambarare Waterfalls by traveling to Nyungwe National Park by either road or air transport. By road, you will enjoy a scenic trip from Kigali city, covering a road distance of 225 kilometers. Private transfers are much suited since they are more convenient and comfortable. And with a knowledgeable driver guide, the journey is as insightful as it is fun.
Reputable tour operators such as Standard Safaris offer better car hire services and qualified driver guides. Our guides are capable of driving you in any car for the safari. The cars include drones, minivans, buses, saloon cars, or the much-recommended 4X4 safari land cruiser. Though you can hire a car from us on the day of your trip, you can also make prior bookings. Nyungwe Forest can also be reached from Lake Kivu, Volcanoes, and Akagera National Parks.
An alternative mode of transportation is using air. Helicopter flights are offered by Akagera Aviation from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport. The journey takes almost an hour. You will arrive at Kamembe where our representative will receive you and take you by road to Nyungwe Forest. This drive takes around 40 minutes. To avoid the difficulties of obtaining a flight ticket, do the reservations with a reputable tour operator like Standard Safaris.
What else to do in Nyungwe Forest?
These are some of the most popular tour activities to indulge in during your tour of the Ndambarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest,
Chimpanzee trek
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the major activities in Nyungwe Forest. The Mayebe chimpanzee group is habituated in Nyungwe Forest for tracking. In Cymudongo Forest, just less than 8 kilometers from Nyungwe National Park, there is another chimp group for tracking. Tracking one of them is an exciting adventure in addition to your Ndambarare Waterfalls tour. Experienced ranger guides will accompany you as you locate one of the chimpanzee groups. When you find them, watch them for an hour and take amazing photos.
Birdwatching
With over 345 bird species in Nyungwe Forest, birdwatching in addition to a tour of Ndambarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest is great. Birding in Nyungwe Forest is a memorable time that makes spotting delightful bird species possible. Albertine endemic birds are also on the checklist. The birds include black-winged kite, African snipe, double-collared sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warbler, handsome spurfowl, African olive pigeon, and brown snake eagle, etc.
Colobus monkey trek
The Gisakura and Uwinka troops of Angolan colobus monkeys are offered for trekking throughout the year in Nyungwe Forest. While on a tour of Ndambarare Waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest, you might as well wish to track these habituated colobus monkeys in their natural homes. You will encounter the troop while in the company of experienced ranger guides. They will allow you to spend an hour observing their exciting behaviors while taking photos.
More activities include the canopy walk, forest walk, and identification of butterflies, among others.
