Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the most important protected areas in Rwanda. The park receives about 2,000 millimeters of rainfall every year, which makes it the largest water catchment area in the country. Nyungwe supplies nearly two thirds of Rwanda’s fresh water, making it very important for both people and wildlife.
Nyungwe Forest is rich in wildlife and plant life. Besides chimpanzees, the park is home to about 300 bird species, 13 primate species, 75 mammal species, 120 butterfly species, 140 orchid species, 15 reptile species, 12 amphibian species, and more than 1,000 plant species. Because of this, Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the best places in East Africa for nature lovers.
The park covers about 1,020 square kilometers. Its elevation ranges from 1,600 to 2,950 meters above sea level. This high altitude helps support thick forest growth and cool temperatures. Nyungwe also has very tall trees, with some reaching over 50 meters high. The park is also famous for having the longest forest canopy walk in East Africa, which is 200 meters long.
History of Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest has a long conservation history. It was first protected in 1903 by the German colonial government as a forest reserve known as Colonial Crown Land. Over the years, the forest faced pressure from human activities.
Between 1958 and 1973, about 150 square kilometers of forest were lost due to logging, poaching, and bush fires. The last buffalo in the park were killed in 1974, although elephants were still present at that time. A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society later recorded very large groups of black and white colobus monkeys, some with more than 400 members.
In 1995, restoration work began to protect the forest. In 2004, Nyungwe Forest officially became a national park. Although the 1994 genocide caused an increase in poaching, the park has recovered well. Today, Nyungwe is safe and is one of the most visited national parks in Rwanda.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Treks start very early in the morning between 4:30 and 5:30 am. Visitors begin their day at one of the main visitor centers, which are Gisakura, Kitabi, or Uwinka.
The day starts with a briefing, where guides explain the rules and confirm chimpanzee trekking permits. Between 5:30 and 6:00 am, visitors are driven to the starting point of the trek. There are more than 60 habituated chimpanzee groups in the park.
The trek can last from 2 to 6 hours. The length depends on how fast the group walks and where the chimpanzees are located. Chimpanzees move a lot, so tracking them can take time. Once the chimpanzees are found, visitors are allowed to spend one hour with them. During this time, you can take photos and watch their daily behavior, such as feeding, grooming, and playing.
Chimpanzee Permits
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest costs 100 USD per person per trek. Only eight healthy visitors without infectious diseases are allowed in each group. This rule protects the chimpanzees because they share over 98 percent of their DNA with humans and can easily catch human illnesses.
There are 64 permits available each day. It is best to book your permits three to six months in advance, especially during peak travel months. Permits are issued on a first come basis. Late bookings are possible, but you must confirm availability with your tour operator.
Forest Canopy Walk
The forest canopy walk is one of the most popular activities in Nyungwe. The walkway is about 90 meters long and rises up to 50 meters above the forest floor. From the canopy walk, visitors can see trees, birds, monkeys, and the forest below.
The walk to reach the canopy bridge is steep and can be tiring. Some visitors choose to stop before reaching the bridge. No refunds are given if you decide not to continue. Visitors with breathing problems should inform their tour operator before the trip so assistance can be arranged if needed.
Hiking Trails & Safaris
Nyungwe Forest has 13 hiking trails of different lengths and difficulty levels. Some trails are short, while others stretch over 130 kilometers. Hiking can take from 30 minutes to several days depending on the trail you choose.
These trails pass through thick forest and lead to waterfalls, viewpoints, rivers, and open areas. Along the way, visitors may see birds, monkeys, butterflies, flowers, and large trees. Popular trails include Isumo Waterfall, Bigugu, Igishigishigi, Ngabwe, Karamba Birding, Congo Nile Divide, and Kamiranzovu March.
Bird Watching in Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the best bird watching destinations in Africa. The park has over 300 bird species. Among these, 27 species are found only in the Albertine Rift, and 16 species are found only in Nyungwe Forest.
Birds you may see include the blue headed sunbird, purple breasted sunbird, yellow eyed black flycatcher, red throated alethe, Chapin’s flycatcher, great blue turaco, Rwenzori nightjar, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, and Grauer’s warbler. Bird watching tours can be arranged through specialist birding tour companies.
Nature Guided Walks
Nature guided walks are available on several trails such as Isumo Waterfall, Bigugu, and Ngabwe. These walks allow visitors to learn about forest plants, trees, insects, butterflies, and wildlife with the help of experienced guides.
Monkey Tracking
Nyungwe Forest is also a good place for monkey tracking. Visitors can see black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, Mona monkeys, owl faced monkeys, and L’Hoest monkeys. Monkey tracking permits are affordable and vary depending on the species and activity.
Adding Gorilla Trekking to Your Trip
Visitors to Rwanda often combine Nyungwe Forest with gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. Since Nyungwe is in the south, travelers need to plan for travel time between the two parks.
Location of Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the southwest of Rwanda near the borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visitors can reach the park by road from Kigali, which takes about six hours. Another option is flying from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport, which is about 32 kilometers from the park.
Because of the long travel time, visitors should stay overnight near the park.
Best Time to Visit Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest can be visited all year. The best months are June to August and December to February, when trails are drier and easier to walk on. During the rainy season, trails can be muddy and slippery.
For bird watching, the wet season is better because more birds are present. The best time to visit depends on your interests.
Accommodation Near Nyungwe Forest
There are several accommodation options near Nyungwe Forest. Popular choices include Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Gisakura Guest House, and One&Only Nyungwe Lodge.
Gisakura Guest House is suitable for budget travelers. Nyungwe Top View Hotel is a good mid range option. One&Only Nyungwe Lodge is ideal for visitors looking for a high end experience. All these places offer good service and are best booked in advance.
