Nyungwe National Park protects one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse montane rainforests, covering roughly 1,000 sq km along Rwanda’s southwestern border with Burundi. The park is home to 13 primate species, including a large community of habituated chimpanzees, and holds the source waters that feed both the Congo and Nile river systems.
The park at a glance
- About 1,000 sq km of montane rainforest in southwestern Rwanda
- Home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees and several colobus and monkey species
- Straddles the Congo-Nile watershed divide, feeding rivers that flow toward both basins
- Rwanda’s Canopy Walk, one of the few of its kind in East Africa, crosses the forest at height
Chimpanzees and primates
Nyungwe’s habituated chimpanzee community can be tracked on foot through steep, forested terrain, offering an experience that complements gorilla trekking further north in Volcanoes National Park. The forest also holds large troops of Angola colobus monkeys, along with L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and other primate species, making it one of the richest primate habitats in East Africa.
Canopy walk and forest trails
Nyungwe’s suspended canopy walk lets visitors cross a series of walkways strung between platforms high above the forest floor, offering views over the canopy that are otherwise impossible to reach on foot. A network of well-maintained hiking trails through the surrounding forest passes waterfalls and varied vegetation zones, giving visitors options beyond primate tracking.
Things to do
- Chimpanzee trekking with experienced forest guides
- Crossing the suspended canopy walk above the forest floor
- Colobus monkey tracking and general primate walks
- Hiking forest trails to waterfalls and viewpoints
Practical information
- Reached by road from Kigali, about five to six hours, or via Huye (Butare) from the north
- Best visited in the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, though the forest can be walked year-round
- Cool, often misty mountain conditions mean warm, waterproof layers are worth packing regardless of season
Nyungwe offers some of the richest primate viewing and forest scenery anywhere in East Africa, a strong complement to gorilla trekking elsewhere in Rwanda. Offmap Safaris can combine it with Volcanoes National Park or Lake Kivu for a fuller Rwanda circuit. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.