Discover Nyungwe Forest National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a hidden gem that not many people outside of East Africa know about. This blanket of lushness, which looks like it came from the beginning of time, is one of Africa’s most beautiful and oldest rain forests. It is also one of its biggest.

There are more than 1000 plant species, 13 types of primates, 75 types of animals, 275 types of birds, and 120 types of butterflies that make the forest look beautiful.

The park’s monkeys and the chance to track them are two of the main things that bring people there. Here, you can find chimp communities with up to 100 people living together in very cooperative groups. But chimpanzees aren’t the only monkeys you’ll see in the park. Spend some time following the groups of Colobus monkeys that live here. Their long, white, smooth hair will help you find them. The Colobus lives in groups of up to 300 people.

Along the well-kept tracks in the park, you might see a variety of other monkey species, such as the L’Hoest’s monkey, the Owl-faced monkey, the Dent’s monkey, the grey-cheeked mangabey, the olive baboon, and the vervet monkey.

There is also a lot of interesting wildlife in the park. You might see a leopard, serval cat, mongoose, or otter peering through Nyungwe’s thick forest. The African crowned eagle, sunbirds, wagtails, hornbills, and the red-collard babbler are some of the birds that live there.

On the Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway, you can walk high up through the trees, which is another great thing about the park. The first canopy in East Africa is 160 m (524 ft) long and 70 m (229 ft) high. It gives you a bird’s-eye (or maybe a monkey’s-eye) view of the thick, colorful bush below. You’ll be high up in the trees, close to the animals that are flying around, and have a view that not many people get to see.

One of the best things about Nyungwe is that it has many great walking tracks. Few national parks give you so many options for walking tours. The six color-coded paths wind through the forest and range in length from the short Buhoro Trail (1.2 mi) to the long Imbaraga Trail (10 km, 6.2 mi).

About the National Park Nyungwe Forest

In Central Africa, the Nyungwe rainforest is the mountainous jungle that has been kept the most intact. There are rainforests, grasslands, bamboo forests, and ponds in the 970 sq. km (374 sq mi) park that was made in 2004.

Climate: Because the park is close to the equator, the temperatures stay pretty steady all year. However, the weather is cool there because of the height. Daily highs will be around 20°c (68°f), and at night, they will be about 11°c (51°F).

Nyungwe Forest is in the southwestern part of Rwanda, about 139 miles (225 km) from Kigali, the country’s capital.

When to go: The best times to go are from mid-December to mid-February and from June to September, when it’s dry. In the rainy season, the park’s great system of tracks can become very slippery.

Days and times: The park is open from 6 am to 4 pm.

One way to get there is by car. From Kigali, you can book a tour with African Safari Kenya.

Things to see and do

Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzees are our fun genetic cousins. They are not as big as gorillas, but they are just as interesting. No trip to Nyungwe is complete without a guided walk to find them. It might take a while, but the walk through this lovely park is worth it. When you meet one of the two habitual groups, it will have between 40 and over 60 people. Once you get there, you’ll have an hour to enjoy, learn, and take it all in during this very special African tour.

Colobus Monkey trekking
The Angolan colobus monkeys that live in the park make huge groups of 500 animals, just like the black and white colobus monkeys. You’ll never forget the thrill of seeing hundreds of monkeys swinging around all over the place. Within an hour of starting your hike, your guide will usually be able to find a group colobus.

The Canopy Walkway
As part of your safari, don’t miss this unique walk through the tree canopy. It was one of the first of its kind in Africa. From above and below, you’ll be able to see the green biosphere as if you were a bird or a monkey.

Watching birds
The park is famous for its wonderful birds, which number over 300 kinds. The purple-breasted sunbird, hornbills, mountain buzzards, turacos, and eagles are some birds to look out for.

Walks in the forest
A well-kept network of color-coded trails can be found in the park. All walks have a guide and are part of the trek fee. They start at the Uwinka Reception Center.

The Waterfall Trail
The forest is very lush on your way to a beautiful, hidden waterfall. This walk isn’t as busy as the others, but it’s still worth your time.

With so many plant, bird, primate, and mammal species to choose from, Nyungwe is a verdant paradise that should be a big part of any wildlife tour. Where else could you listen to over 120 different kinds of beautiful butterflies? The plant and animal life in this park will amaze you, as will the beautiful views.

We will plan a tour for you that you will never forget in this tropical paradise if you come to Rwanda. We offer tours from Kigali that go to this park and other fun places.