Highlight

One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Nyungwe National Park has up to 15 trails, along with various other activities, visitors can choose to sample the delights of the forest or indulge themselves for a week or more in one of Africa’s most stunning forests.
Primate tracking tops most visitor’s list, but it’s worth lingering a little longer for those with time to relax and take in the primal atmosphere.

Botanists will marvel at the 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids. The Bird watching is among the best in Africa with 322 birds’ species including Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species. Butterflies are also a common sight, with at least 120 species.

There are 75 known mammals in Nyungwe, such as the cerval cat, mongoose, Congo clawless otter and leopard to name but a few. Many tend to be shy so sightings are luck of the draw.
Memorable and photogenic moments include walking up to the Isumo waterfall or along the Canopy Walk suspension bridge. Tea plantations border the edges of the park, with a habituated troop of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys at Gisakura as well as forest fringe birds.

With plenty of rainfall, Nyungwe is also the major catchment area in Rwanda, and supplies water to 70% of the country. A ridge running through the forest forms a watershed between the drainage systems of the Nile and the Congo. A spring on the slopes of Mt Bigugu is said to be the most remote source of the Nile, the world’s longest river.

The government body responsible for managing the Nyungwe National Park is the Rwanda Development Board with support from several wildlife conservation Agencies. Unlike all the other parks in Rwanda, Nyungwe park entry is charged according to which activities you looking at. For Chimpanzee trekking- $90, Nature guided walk- $40, Bird watching-$50 and the canopy walk-$60 per person on a daily basis.

Chimpanzee trekking and hiking in the Nyungwe National Park is open throughout the entire year. Although March, April and November being the peak of the rainy season we don’t recommend that time for any of the Nyungwe Activities.

While in Nyungwe National park slightly heavier clothing is useful. A lightweight waterproof jacket may come in handy in the moist mountains.

The greatest health risks in Rwanda are accidents and malaria. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are recommended. Travellers should seek professional medical advice on taking anti-malarial medicines and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially between dawn and dusk.

Travellers should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, following the advice of their local healthcare provider, and should consider bringing a small first aid kit. A certificate of yellow-fever vaccination is required.

As of 1st January 2018, nationals of all countries receive a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders.

Nyungwe can be reached by air and road. The nearest airport and link to the park is Kigali international airport in Rwanda’s capital Kigali. RwandAir Qatar Airways, Turkish Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and KLM all have flights to Kigali international Airport. Rwanda being a small country we don’t advise any domestic flight to any of the Rwandese National Parks. Road transport is the best way one can enjoy the full beauty of this magnificent Country