National Park · Southwestern Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park
One of Africa's oldest rainforests, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 2023, with over 1,100 recorded plant species and 13 primate species.
How to get there
By road from Kigali, roughly four to five hours southwest, or paired with Akagera and Volcanoes on a country-loop itinerary.
What to find
Chimpanzee tracking, golden and L'Hoest's monkeys, a canopy walkway above the forest floor, and the Congo-Nile Trail.
Overview
Nyungwe National Park protects about 1,019 km² of ancient montane rainforest in southwestern Rwanda, one of the largest and oldest forests of its kind in Africa. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, and has been co-managed with African Parks since 2020.
Nyungwe is a primate paradise with 13 species, including chimpanzees, large troops of Angolan colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys. It also has more than 300 bird species, many of them Albertine Rift endemics, and a suspended canopy walkway high above the forest valleys.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking at Cyamudongo and around Uwinka
- The canopy walkway, suspended high above the forest
- Large troops of Angolan colobus monkeys
- Hiking trails, including the Isumo waterfall trail
- Tea plantations on the forest edge at Gisakura
Things to do
Chimpanzee tracking
Early morning treks. The forest is steep, so good fitness helps.
Canopy walkway
A short hike and a walk above the treetops.
Forest hikes
Waterfall and ridge trails ranging from 2 hours to a full day.
Tea estate visits
Walk through the plantations around Gisakura.
Best time to visit
All year. The drier months (June to August and December to February) make hiking easier. Rain is possible in any season.
Getting there
About 4.5 to 5.5 hours by road from Kigali, or by domestic flight to Kamembe and a short transfer.
Where to stay
Lodges on the forest edge and around Gisakura, from simple guesthouses to a luxury lodge in the tea estates.
Nyungwe National Park
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Rwanda →
Good to know
- Pair with Lake Kivu and the Congo-Nile Trail for a western Rwanda loop.
- Bring layers. The forest is cool, especially at dawn.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.