Nyungwe National Park Rwanda is located in the majestic hills of southwestern Rwanda and borders Burundi on the south with Lake Kivu and the DR Congo on its western part. The park is the only largest montane forest remaining in Central Africa and East African region and is most famous for Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safaris.

Rwanda Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in the year 2004 and it covers an area of around 1,019 km2 consisting of rainforest, grasslands, bamboo, swamps & bogs. In 2023, the biodiverse Nyungwe forest park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list due to its great biodiversity.

Within Nyungwe park, over 13 amazing primate species have been recorded and among these includes over 300 chimpanzees and some communities are open for chimpanzee tours. Other interesting primates such as Red-tailed monkeys, Olive Baboons, and the Rwenzori Colobus monkeys, among others. The recorded mammal species go over 85 species!

More than 300 species of birds counting 30 Albertine endemic birds dwell in Nyungwe Forest and among the notable are the Regal sunbird and Ruwenzori turaco. Missing out on Nyungwe during Rwanda birding safaris is a big mistake!

Travelers on Rwanda wildlife safaris in Nyungwe NP have a lot to do! chimp trekking, Nyungwe forest canopy walk, primate tracking especially chimpanzees trekking, nature walks, and even birding tours among other activities can be enjoyed.

Don’t look any further, book with us an African safari in Rwanda and explore this ancient rainforest, the best area for chimpanzee safaris in Africa after Uganda Kibale Park.

Nyungwe National Park Location

Nyungwe forest park is located in southwest Rwanda’s Albertine Rift Valley. It borders Burundi Kibira National Park to the south and Lake Kivu and the DRC to the west.  The Congo River basin to the west and the Nile River basin to the east form the watershed. One Nile source branch comes from the east side of the Nyungwe rainforest.

Rwanda Nyungwe Forest National Park is 220km from Kigali, a 5- to 6-hour drive depending on the stopovers made.

Nyungwe Forest Coordinates: 2°29′24″S 29°17′34″E. Rwanda’s Nyungwe park is in the Rusizi district.

Nyungwe National Park History

In 1993, the Belgian colonial authority declared Nyungwe Park a forest reserve to protect wildlife- Chimpanzees and other wild animals. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) made this area a national park in 2004 to increase tourism beyond Volcanoes National Park Mountain gorillas.

Within October 2020, the Rwandan government made a successful partnership with the African Parks to manage Nyungwe park for 20 years, and in the year 2023, Nyungwe was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. All these efforts aim at the conservation of the park.

Tourist Attractions in Nyungwe Forest National Park

As you visit Nyungwe Forest National Park, expect to see various amazing tourist attractions for example, the beautiful primate species, bird species, plants, and various fauna species.

Let’s explore the main tourist attractions in Nyungwe park below;

1.    Primate in Nyungwe Forest Park

In Nyungwe park, primates are the main tourist attractions. Nyungwe has 13 primate species, but chimpanzees are the most common. Chimps share 98–99% of our DNA, making them our close relatives.

Chimpanzees are the smartest apes on earth. These remarkable great apes communicate and behave like people and use tools like humans!

Travelers on Rwanda safari tours in Nyungwe NP interested in spending time with chimps should opt to undertake Chimpanzee trekking

THE 13 PRIMATE SPECIES IN NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

1. Chimpanzees
2. Olive Baboons
3. Rwenzori colobus monkeys
4. Black and white colobus monkeys
5. L’Hoest’s Monkey
6. Mona monkey
7. Vervet Monkeys
8. Hamlyn’s Monkey
9. Angola colobus
10. Grey-cheeked Mangabey
11. Silver Monkey
12. Red-tailed monkeys
13. Blue Monkeys- a rare species in Albertine rift montane forests

Some people say that there are Golden monkeys in Nyungwe park however, this is not yet officially documented.

2.    Bird Species in Nyungwe Park

About 300 bird species live in Nyungwe Forest National Park, including 30 Albertine Rift endemics. The greatest way to see bird species in Nyungwe park is during guided forest hikes. An expert local birding tour guide will lead you through most environments to find birds.

Neumann’s Warbler, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Red-collared Babbler, Dwarf honeyguide, Albertine owlet, Rwenzori Turaco, Purple-breasted sunbird, Regal sunbird, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing are some of the common birds in Nyungwe NP.

3. Other Wildlife Species in Nyungwe Park

Nyungwe park has game animals besides primates, but they’re hard to spot due to the dense forest. Bushbucks, Bush pigs, Genets, Duikers, and other Albertine rift endemic species have been documented in Nyungwe park.

On Nyungwe park safaris in Rwanda, lucky visitors can see the above creatures during guided walks in the jungle for instance during the chimp trek.

4. The Stunning Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest vistas are stunning! Probably, Nyungwe Forest is among Rwanda’s oldest rainforests and one of the well-preserved montane forests in East Africa and even on the African continent. In the morning, the views of this forest are usually breathtaking as it’s usually blanketed in the mist.

About 1,100 plant species are recorded in Nyungwe, including 200 trees and orchids. Sub-alpine shrub and bamboo vegetation, enormous lobelias, and flowering plants are also present. The largest Nyungwe Forest tree is the African Mahogany which grows to over 60m.

Nyungwe canopy walks offer a beautiful view of Nyungwe forest and other interesting attractions around this forest.

5. Nyungwe National Park Canopy Walk

This is the first forest canopy walkway in E. Africa and one of three in Africa. Nyungwe canopy walk is a 160m-long, 70m-high suspension bridge.

Nyungwe canopy walk offers stunning views of Nyungwe Forest, Kivu Lake, and local towns around the park. Travelers on this hike should expect to encounter various beautiful birds, butterflies, and primates including the Black and White colobus monkeys.

Main Tourist Activities in Nyungwe National Park

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Nyungwe park, but things to do in this park go beyond this adventure! Tourists on Rwanda safari tours in Nyungwe park can also enjoy canopy walking, bird watching, etc.

Below is a detail of the popular activities in Nyungwe Park;

1. Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Park

Chimpanzee trekking is the main reason why travelers visit Rwanda Nyungwe Forest National Park. This wonderful lifetime adventure allows you to meet human cousins, the chimps in their lovely habitat.

Rwanda chimpanzee trekking tours in Nyungwe park begin with a briefing in the morning and the expedition can go up to 2 pm.

Over 400 chimps inhabit Nyungwe Forest and out of these, 2 communities are habituated for chimp trekking safaris in Rwanda. One of the chimp communities in Cyamudongo Forest (an isolated patch of the park) holds 30 members and the other community is Uwinka with over 60 Chimpanzees.

Most chimpanzee tours in Rwanda Nyungwe Forest National Park are done on the Cyamudongo chimp community, it’s easy to access.

During this adventure, expect to see chimps grooming, kissing, playing, feeding, chatting, etc.

The chimp trek in Nyungwe takes 2-5 hours. The movement of these playful apes determines the duration.  Chimpanzee trekkers in Nyungwe will see primates, birds, & butterflies, among others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe park costs $250.

2. Undertaking Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk

The greatest way to enjoy 3600 vistas of the primeval Nyungwe Forest is on the canopy walk. This wonderful hike begins at Uwinka’s visitor center.

A 2-hour guided canopy walk in Nyungwe woodland along a 160 m-long bridge suspension over the forest is perfect for photography. This 60-dollar stroll is for only for people over 6 years. Parents should accompany kids!

8 am, 10 am, 1 am, and 3 pm are Nyungwe forest canopy walk shifts. Remember to bring a camera to record memories.

The dry months offer the best experience for Nyungwe forest canopy walks.

3. Guided Forest Walks in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe park is great for hiking due to its rugged terrain. The tails for nature walks in Nyungwe vary in length and most of them are easy to explore. Each has distinct tourist attractions.

Notable trails for forest walks in Nyungwe park

• Bigugu Trail

The trail leads you to Nyungwe park’s highest peak and offers stunning views of the DR Lake Kivu, DR Congo, and the Virunga volcanoes.

• Congo Nile Divide Trail

It’s one of the most demanding trails but worth hiking to. This 42.2km multi-day hike exposes you to explore the Nile-Congo River basin split.

• Muzimu Trail

On clear days, this scenic hike in Nyungwe offers distant vistas of Lake Kivu, Virunga Volcanoes, and the largest expanse of this protected area.

• Rukuzi trek

It’s a popular 9.1km hike in Nyungwe park taking you through pine and eucalyptus forests giving you views of Lake Kivu, and amazing authentic African settlements around.

• Umugote route

Offers wonderful primate and bird-watching opportunities in Nyungwe park, with views of ridges, flowers, and butterflies. Burundi’s Kibira National Park is visible on clear days.

• The Karamba trail in Nyungwe Park

It’s a great place for birdwatching. Along this hike, you’ll see several fern tree species as you walk to the former gold mine, market, and army camp.

• The 2km Igishigishigi walk

Offers a beautiful view of the Nyungwe forest canopy, wildflowers, monkeys, and birds. All hikers must be over 6; youngsters walk with their parents.

• Isumo Trail

Allows you to tour the lush tea plantations. Tea plucking and other activities are possible if time allows. This route offers views of Nyungwe park’s largest waterfall.

4. Tracking Monkeys in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National is a primate paradise, so monkey tracking is possible! Over 25% of Africa’s primate population lives in Nyungwe Park, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Rwenzori Red Colobus, Red-tailed Monkeys, Black and white colobus, Blue Monkeys, Owl-faced monkeys, and Baboons.

Travelers who visit Rwanda Nyungwe park usually track Colobus monkeys. These lovely monkeys live in 400-500-person squads.

This memorable adventure costs for 140 USD each person.

Kitabi trail, Uwinka, and Gisakura trail are used for most Nyungwe monkey tracking tours.  All these routes will lead you into the middle of the Nyungwe rainforest.

5. Bird Watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe park is a delight for Rwanda bird-watching safaris, thus birdwatchers should never miss this joy.

Knowledgeable birding guides suggest travelers take morning birding expeditions as birds are so active- feeding up in trees. Birding tours in Nyungwe can take hours or even a day in the middle of the park therefore, you should leave your lodge with packed food.

The common birds in Nyungwe Forest to look out for include the yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Dusky crimsonwing, Chapin’s flycatcher, Black and white casqued hornbill, Mountain sooty boubou, Red-throated Alethe, Grauer’s warbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Regal sunbird, Blue Breasted Kingfishers, Purple-breasted sunbird, Great Blue Turaco, etc.

There are numerous birding-watching trails in Nyungwe park but, the Igishigishigi, Umugote, and Rukuzi trails are the most popular.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda

Rwanda welcomes visitors year-round. In Nyungwe Forest National Park, dry months offer the most spectacular activities. Chimpanzee tracking safaris and other forest treks are usually awesome in June–July, August–September, and December–January–February.

In March, April, May, and October–November, it rains most of the day. This is the best season for birdwatching because the jungle is full of food.

Rwanda Safari Packing List for Nyungwe National Park Trip

For a successful chimpanzee safari in Nyungwe park, bring the following!

1. Insect repellents
2. Light hiking boots ideal during a chimpanzee trek in the jungle
3. Camera for photoshooting while on Nyungwe forest canopy walkway
4. Sunscreens
5. Rain jacket
6. Sunhat
7. Binoculars to see well birds up in trees
8. Day backpack
9. Energy-giving snacks
10. Long-sleeved shirts, and trousers
11. Bottled water
12. Medical kit
13. Warm sweater and,
14. Travel documents

How to Get to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda?

From Kigali, getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park can be by either road or air however, most tourists travel by road.

Driving from Kigali to this park is around 220km and takes about 5-6 hours drive but this depends on the stopover you’ll make. In most cases, tourists going to Nyungwe Forest make en-route stopovers to explore the Butare Ethnographic Museum and Nyanza King’s Palace. The Rwandan speed limit is 60km/h.

For air travel to Nyungwe, RwandaAir flies from Kigali to Rusizi, and from here, you’ll connect to the park in a safari vehicle.

If you are to visit Nyungwe Forest in the rain season, it’s nice to use a 4×4 safari vehicle.

Rwanda Nyungwe National Park Accommodation

All tourists on Rwanda primate safari tours in Nyungwe park shouldn’t bother with the kind of accommodation to use on their visit. There are numerous lodges (tourist facilities) around Nyungwe park offering budget, midrange, and even luxury accommodations. Your budget determines which facility to use and we are available to guide you.

Best safari lodges in Nyungwe National Park for tourists;

a. Gisakura Guesthouse

This lovely inexpensive facility is 2km outside Nyungwe Park. It borders Gisakura tea plantations. All double, triple, and twin rooms at Gisakura Guesthouse feature showers and warm water upon request.

b. One & Only Nyungwe House

One & Only Nyungwe House is among the best luxury lodges around Nyungwe park. This luxury facility is set within a scenic tea plantation close to the Nyungwe park headquarters. Thus, it’s an ideal site to use for travelers going for Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking the next day. It holds luxury rooms and suites as well.

This facility has a swimming pool, bar, fireplace, and a fitness center. All rooms are air-conditioned and offer a minibar, hairdryer, digital TV, and free Wifi.

c.  Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel is a moderate hotel on the hill. It’s also popularly used by travelers going for a chimp trek in Nyungwe park. The hotel features 12 magnificent rooms, 4 of which are twins and 8 of which are private apartments with queen-sized beds.

Nyungwe National Park FAQs

1. What Is Unique About Nyungwe National Park In Africa?

Nyungwe Forest National Park is famous for its Chimpanzees however, this ecologically healthy tropical rainforest is popular for its canopy walk- one of a kind in E. Africa. Within this park, tourists will enjoy chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, as well as birding since it’s a birder’s paradise.

2. How Much Does It Cost to Visit Nyungwe National Park?

Each person pays $100 to enter Nyungwe Park. Two nights in the park cost $150 and three nights $200.

How Long Is the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe?

It’s about 160m long and a 70m high suspension bridge from the ground.

4. What Are the Threats to Nyungwe National Park?

Just like other national parks in Africa, Nyungwe park also faces some challenges including bushmeat, as well as illegal extraction of minerals from the park. Also, the other reason is human-wildlife conflict especially from human beings (local communities) around.

For a memorable experience during your primate safaris in Rwanda, supplement Nyungwe park on Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. While in Nyungwe, you’ll undertake remarkable adventures including chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, nature walks, and a canopy walk on Nyungwe Forest tree tops. The park is a jewel in Africa worth exploring!

It’s possible to add Nyungwe to Rwanda wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park.

If you have hopes of undertaking wildlife or Rwanda gorilla trekking tours, contact us and we experience Nyungwe National Park vacation together.