Nyungwe Forest National Park sits in southwestern Rwanda, bordering Burundi to the south and DR Congo to the west, and is the largest Afro-montane forest in East and Central Africa at 970 square kilometers. It’s also the only national park in Rwanda that offers chimpanzee trekking, making it a distinct stop from the country’s better-known gorilla trekking destinations.
Location and History
The park sits in Rusizi district, about 225km and a 4 to 5 hour drive from Kigali. It receives around 2,000mm of rainfall a year, making it Rwanda’s largest water catchment area, feeding rivers that flow into both the Congo and Nile river basins. This dual watershed role makes Nyungwe one of the most ecologically significant forests in the region, well beyond its value as a wildlife destination.
The forest was first protected as a reserve under German colonial rule in 1903, but later suffered from wildfires, poaching, and deforestation. Restoration work picked up in the 1980s, including the reintroduction of colobus monkeys, and the area was officially declared a national park in 2005, giving it formal protected status after decades of conservation effort.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
Nyungwe is home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Rwenzori colobus monkeys, along with more than 1,050 recorded plant species, 250 of them endemic to the Albertine Rift, and 200 orchid species. The park also holds over 120 butterfly species, 38 reptile species, 32 amphibian species, 85 mammal species, and 310 bird species. This density of species across such a range of categories is part of why Nyungwe is considered one of Africa’s most significant montane forest ecosystems, not just a chimpanzee trekking destination.
Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking begins in the morning, timed so visitors can watch the chimps rise from their nests before they set off to feed. Groups are capped at 8 people, with a maximum of 1 hour once the chimps are found. Recommended gear includes a hat, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, a rain jacket, at least a liter of water, and hiking boots. As with gorilla trekking elsewhere in Rwanda, permits are required and issued through the Rwanda Development Board, so booking ahead is worth doing given the popularity of this activity.
Monkey Trekking
Black and white colobus monkeys are a major draw here, including a semi-habituated group of around 400 individuals commonly seen near the forest and campsite, one of the largest groups of this species anywhere in Africa. Other species regularly spotted include red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and the Albertine Rift endemic owl-faced monkey, giving visitors a genuine variety of primate sightings beyond chimpanzees alone.
Canopy Walk
About 1km from the Uwinka ranger station, a metal canopy walkway stretches close to 200 meters through the forest canopy, reaching a maximum height of around 40 meters. It’s a strong vantage point for spotting birds, primates, butterflies, and old-growth trees, and stands out as one of the more unusual activities available in Rwanda. The walkway is suspended well above the forest floor, offering a different perspective on the ecosystem than trekking through it on the ground, and tends to be a highlight for visitors who might not otherwise get a clear view of the upper canopy.
Bird Watching
With 310 recorded bird species, Nyungwe offers strong birding without much difficulty finding species. Standouts include the Albertine owlet, the red-collared sunbird, and Rockefeller’s sunbird, species found only on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift Valley. Of the 27 Albertine Rift endemic birds recorded in the park, the Rwenzori turaco, red-faced woodland warbler, and Rwenzori batis are among the more commonly spotted, making Nyungwe a worthwhile stop even for travelers whose main interest is birdlife rather than primates.
Forest Hiking
Nyungwe has an extensive network of maintained trails, including the Igishigishi Trail, Ngabwe Trail, Kamiranzovu Trail, Karambi Trail, and the Isumo Waterfall Trail. Each route leads into a different part of the forest or nearby communities, passing waterfalls, tea plantations, orchids, and in some cases local markets and gold mining sites along the way. Trail difficulty and length vary considerably, so it’s worth choosing based on your available time and fitness level, from shorter half-day walks to longer full-day hikes deeper into the forest.
Best Time to Visit
Nyungwe can be visited year-round, but the dry seasons from June to September and December to early February generally offer easier trekking conditions, with drier trails and better visibility for both primate trekking and birding. Rain is still possible at any time given the forest’s high annual rainfall, so waterproof gear is worth packing regardless of when you visit.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options near the park are limited but cover a range of budgets. One&Only Nyungwe House is the park’s luxury option, set within the forest itself and built around a working tea estate. Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge sits in the mid-range, offering solid comfort without the luxury price tag, and Gisakura Guest House offers a more budget-friendly base close to the park’s Gisakura entrance.
Getting There
The main route to the park’s Uwinka entrance runs along the Cyangugu to Butare highway, a well-paved road from Kigali via Butare, accessible by private vehicle or the regular buses that run the route daily. Flights are also available with Rwanda Air or other domestic airlines to Kamembe Airport, about 49km from the park, followed by a 45-minute to 1-hour drive.
Combining with Volcanoes National Park
Many travelers pair Nyungwe with Volcanoes National Park in the north, combining chimpanzee trekking with mountain gorilla trekking on the same Rwanda itinerary. Since both parks are within a manageable drive or short flight of Kigali, it’s straightforward to build a single trip around both experiences rather than treating them as separate visits to the country.
Book Your Nyungwe Forest Tour
Between chimpanzee trekking, a canopy walk, and some of the best birding in Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park offers a combination of activities not found anywhere else in the country. Book your Nyungwe Forest safari with our team today, and we’ll help you plan trekking, hiking, and accommodation around your trip.
