Strategically located in the center of beautiful green tea plantation fields, Nyungwe Forest National Park is Africa’s largest mountain forest. It is arguably the most ancient and preserved on the African continent.
This national park in Rwanda has significantly boosted its travel industry, with thousands of visitors flocking there to track chimpanzees, the main activity in the park.
The establishment of Nyungwe Forest National Park dates back to when the German government declared it a German colony and a game reserve in 1903.
However, between 1958 and 1978, encroachments on the park, bushfires, poaching, and deforestation became rampant, reducing the park’s size to as small as 150 sq. km.
During that time, several elephants and buffaloes lost their lives to merciless poachers.
In the 1990s, a research station was set up at Uwinka, although this facility didn’t survive the Rwandan Genocide, which saw it destroyed.
The restoration of the Uwinka research station resumed in 1995 and continued until 2004, when this mountain forest was upgraded to National Park status.
Since Nyungwe was upgraded to a national park, it has continuously evolved into an important tourism destination, notably for primate trekking, canopy walks, and birding expeditions.
At the time Nyungwe was granted national park status, Rwanda was ranked among the top 10 tourist destinations by Lonely Planet.
Therefore, establishing Nyungwe Forest as a national park was a timely and perfect decision.
To this day, Nyungwe Forest remains a vital water catchment area for Rwanda, composed of significant natural resources that benefit many Rwandans.
The forest also feeds two major rivers: the Nile in the east and the Congo to the west.
Visit Nyungwe with one of these recommended Rwanda Tour Operators.
Other National Parks in Rwanda include Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Popular Nyungwe National Park Chimpanzee Trekking Tours
Below are some of the most popular Nyungwe National Park Chimpanzee Trekking Tours:
Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest
Wildlife is Nyungwe’s most important feature, much like any other natural park in Africa. This is why it continues to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Rwanda.
Nyungwe is home to not only 85 mammal species but also 13 primate species, more than 280 bird species—including the elusive Albertine endemics—32 species of amphibians, over 1,060 flora species, 38 reptiles, and numerous colorful butterflies.
Nyungwe is a natural wonder filled with undiscovered and colorful treasures.
Chimpanzees are the park’s highlight, alongside several other monkey species, including L’Hoest’s, Angola Colobus, red-tailed monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Olive baboons, and other animals such as golden cats, fronted duikers, forest elephants, and Sitatungas.
Attractions and Activities in Nyungwe Forest
Below are some of the most popular attractions and activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
There are two main habituated chimpanzee families in Nyungwe Forest National Park—one at Cyamudongo and the other at Uwinka Research Centre.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe begins as early as 8 am, with a limited number of 8 people allowed to trek a given family, similar to Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Nyungwe receives a large number of visitors each year for chimpanzee trekking, which is why it is always recommended to secure your chimpanzee trekking permit as early as possible through your travel agent or directly through Irembo, an online platform managed by the Rwanda Development Board to help visitors book different tourism services.
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park costs $150 per person for foreign non-residents excluding the $100 park entry fees.
There are over 64 slots available daily, so you are advised to secure your space early, as spaces tend to run out during the high season.
There are over 400 chimpanzees in this forest, and tourists must be up as early as 5 am to drive to the park headquarters for briefing and the eventual trek into the misty jungles.
Participants must be 15 years or older to track chimpanzees in this park.
Please note that the chimpanzee trekking price in Nyungwe Forest includes park entrance fees (for one day), guide fees, and trackers but excludes porters.
Colobus Monkey Trekking
This is one of the 13 primate species in Nyungwe, with large populations of this monkey species in the park.
These monkeys live in groups as large as 300 members in a given family, and while tracking these Colobus monkeys, there is a high chance of spotting other primate species like the owl-faced monkeys, blue monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
Nyungwe Canopy Walk
Introduced in 2010 by the non-governmental organization Green Hart with support from USAID, this 2 km canopy walk can be accessed from Uwinka Visitor Station.
It has proven to be one of the greatest places for nature walks while on Rwanda safaris.
While on the walkway, you will enjoy spectacular views of Nyungwe Forest and sights of Lake Kivu to the north.
To participate in the canopy walk, children must be above 6 years old, and if they are children, they must be escorted by an adult. This activity lasts around 2 hours.
Bird Watching in Nyungwe Forest
With a total of over 310 bird species, Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda’s top bird-watching spot.
Nyungwe alone is home to over 29 Albertine endemic bird species, including the Paradise Flycatcher, Ruwenzori Turaco, Forest Hornbill, Regal Sunbird, and Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, among others.
There are several bird-watching trails across the park, and the more trails you explore, the more birds you discover.
Since it is a large rainforest, a guide is necessary, as some birds are difficult to spot, and you may end up identifying them by their calls with the guide’s help.
Hiking/Nature Walks in Nyungwe Forest
If you are an avid hiker, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the place for you, with over 13 established hiking trails that may take you about 1-8 hours to explore.
While on the hike, with the help of a guide, be prepared to identify a large number of tree species, birds, and encounter some primates, especially the colobus monkeys.
There are over 130 km of different trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park, giving every traveler on a Rwanda safari the opportunity to hike, regardless of their level of fitness.
Location
The mountain rain-forest is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda, east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, south of Lake Kivu, and north of the Republic of Burundi.
Nyungwe Forest National Park hosts over 85 mammal species and 300 bird species, 29 of which are Albertine Rift Valley endemics, making the park a significant bird-watching destination in Rwanda.
The ecosystem and biodiversity of Nyungwe Forest are blessed with various features, including tropical rainforests, bamboo thickets, and swamps, making it an ideal habitat for over 13 primate species, with chimpanzees being the most famous.
The park harbors a vast population of over 1,068 different plant species, including 200 tree species and over 248 orchid species, with new tree species being discovered annually.
How to Get There
Nyungwe Forest National Park is approximately 230 km, or a 5-hour drive, from Kigali. The journey will take about 5 hours by road transport.
During the drive, you can make stopovers to visit the King’s Palace in Nyanza Province and gain insight into life in the former Kingdom of Rwanda.
For those on short tours in Rwanda, Rwanda Air offers chartered flights from Kigali to Kamembe Airport, just 32 km south of Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Helicopter services are also available at Kamembe Airport, offered by Nyungwe Forest Lodge, especially if you prefer not to be driven for those additional 32 km.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is accessible year-round; however, the most recommended seasons are June-September and December-February, as these are the dry months in Rwanda.
The remaining months are typically wet, with heavy rains making the hiking trails in the forest extremely slippery.
To visit and undertake any activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you must secure or purchase a permit online through the Rwanda Development Board website.
The park is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm year-round.
Accommodation Options in Nyungwe
While on a tour of Nyungwe Forest National Park, be ready to stay in a lodge that matches your safari budget.
This mountain forest is surrounded by accommodation options ranging from luxury, mid-range, and budget facilities.
Some of the luxury lodges include Nyungwe Forest Lodge and One & Only Nyungwe House, both five-star lodges offering excellent service and a sense of exclusiveness.
Visit Nyungwe with one of these recommended Rwanda Tour Operators.