Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda protects one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and the best preserved mountain rainforest in Central Africa. Created as a national park in 2004, it covers 970 square kilometres of rainforest, grassland, bamboo and marsh, about 225 kilometres from Kigali.
The forest is astonishingly rich, with more than 1,000 plant species, 13 primate species, 75 mammal species, more than 275 bird species and around 120 kinds of butterfly. Chimpanzees are the main draw, living in communities of up to 100 animals, and Angolan colobus gather in troops that can number in the hundreds. L’Hoest’s monkeys, owl faced monkeys, Dent’s monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, vervets and olive baboons live here too, along with serval, mongoose, otter and leopard.
Nyungwe is made for exploring on foot. The canopy walkway, the first of its kind in East Africa, runs 160 metres through the treetops at a height of 70 metres, and six marked trails range from the 2 kilometre Buhoro Trail to the 10 kilometre Imbaraga Trail. Birders come for the Rwenzori turaco, hornbills, crowned eagles and sunbirds.
A guided search for one of the park’s two habituated chimpanzee groups, each numbering from about 40 to more than 60. The walk can take several hours, and once the group is found you spend an unhurried hour in their company.
The first walkway of its kind in East Africa carries you 70 metres above the forest floor for a bird’s eye view of the jungle and the monkeys, birds and butterflies that live in it.
Angolan colobus live here in exceptionally large troops, and watching hundreds of them swing through the canopy is unforgettable. Guides usually find a group within an hour of setting out.
A 7-day Rwanda designed around Two mountain gorilla treks (Volcanoes National Park), Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest, Golden monkey habituation experience.
The dry seasons from June to September and from mid December to mid February are best. Days reach around 20°C and nights fall to about 11°C, and the trails can become very slippery in the rains.
Rwanda
national park
Park entry, chimpanzee tracking and canopy walkway fees are confirmed in your quotation. Guided forest walks are included in the trek fee and start from the Uwinka Reception Centre. The park is open from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
A 4-day Rwanda designed around Chimpanzee tracking with habituated group, Canopy walk 70 meters above forest floor, Colobus monkey troop observations (400+ individuals).
A 3-day Rwanda designed around Big Five game viewing (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo), Black rhino tracking experience, Lake Ihema boat safari with hippos and crocs.