Established in 2004, Nyungwe Forest National Park features among the top three tourist destinations in Rwanda! The montane forest park sits on an area of 970 sq. km. Swamps, bamboo, rainforests, and grasslands characterize this Park’s landscape. Nyungwe Forest National Park lies near Lake Kivu and borders the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Nyungwe is set at an elevation range of 1600 to 2950 meters and is most popular for its biodiversity.

The Diverse Attractions to Explore in Nyungwe

Nyungwe features a wide array of attractions for tourists to explore, including 13 primate species, 40 amphibian species, 40 reptile species, 310 bird species, and over 1,280 plant species.

The animals to see in Nyungwe.

The interesting wildlife to explore on Rwanda safaris in Nyungwe includes red-tailed monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, over 500 chimpanzees, Hamlyn monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, silver monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys.

The birds to spot

Nyungwe is a rich birding spot with over 310 species of birds, which include 29 Albertine rift endemic species. The birds in Nyungwe Forest National Park include the blue-headed coucal, white-tailed blue-flycatchers, white-bellied robin chat, Rwenzori turacos, Elliot’s woodpeckers, chestnut owlets, red-collared babblers, regal sunbird, Doherty’s bush shrikes, Archer’s robin chats, handsome francolins, stripe-breasted tit, white-wood-hoopoe, and Kivu ground thrush.

The floral species of Nyungwe Forest

At Nyungwe, there exist over 200 tree species, including mahogany and Miliantus holstii. The orchids that account for 248 species and diverse vegetation zones featuring montane forest, sub-alpine, bamboo thickets, and more.

Chimpanzee tracking with a local guide in Nyungwe

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the most explored destination in Rwanda thanks to its enriching chimpanzee trekking adventures. At Nyungwe, visitors get a chance to search for chimpanzees on foot with the presence of an experienced park ranger guide. The key locations to start the chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe include Cyamudongo, Kitabi, and Uwinka. A long day trek with Nyungwe takes about 2 to 5 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees and visitor fitness levels.

The normal Nyungwe chimpanzee treks begin early at around 5:00 am when you are expected to be present at the briefing point. Visitors should have obtained a valid permit at USD 100 per visitor, and you can contact your reliable tour operator for all Rwanda safari bookings.

Birding and nature walks

Visitors have multiple birds to spot during the birding excursions. The birds to find include among others the Grauer’s swamp, Archer’s robin chat, Kivu ground thrush, regal sunbirds, Rwenzori turacos, blue-headed coucal, Archer’s robin chat, red-collared mountain babblers, African crested flycatchers, gray-headed bush shrike, lagden’s shrikes, African paradise flycatchers, less gray shrikes, red-backed shrikes, and more. The enriching birding trails of Nyungwe include Isumo waterfall trail, Karamba trail, Bigugu, and Kamiranzovu trail.

Canopy walks (guided excursions)

Nyungwe Forest canopy walks introduce you to the 200 walkway set about 60 meters from the forest floor. During the canopy walk excursion, expect to spot some of the primates and birds. Visitors begin their treks from the Igishigishigi trail and get briefed at Uwinka Visitor Center. The entire walk can run for 2 hours and comes with mesmerizing primate and bird sightings.

Hiking experiences in Nyungwe

Nyungwe offers unmatched hiking experiences. The Park features varied hiking trails where tourists can begin their treks to explore Nyungwe. They include Bigugu, Igishigishigi trail, Isumo waterfall trail, Irebero walking trail, Congo-Nile divide trail, Imbaraga walking trail, Ngabwe trail, Rukuzi, Muzimu hiking trail, Umoyove, and Kamiranzovu trails.

The Ngabwe hiking trail –this is an amazing trail worth exploring in Nyungwe on a guided hike. It extends 4.7 km and takes about 3 hours for you to complete trekking through this nature trail. Along the way, expect common sightings such as mangabey monkeys, silver monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, chimps, and many species of birds.

The Congo-Nile Divide trail –This is the longest of all the Nyungwe Forest hiking trails, approximately 42 km and runs along the scenic ridges of the forest. You may require between 3 and 4 hours to finish exploring the Congo-Divide trail.

Uwinka trail –This extends for 17.8 km, requiring about 8 hours for you to have a round trek. It is perfect for visitors interested in moderate guided hikes in Nyungwe National Park. This hiking trail begins from Irebero, connecting to the Kamiranzovu marsh trail.

Colobus monkey tracking (guided)

There is also an option of embarking on the trek with colobus monkeys. A total of about 400 colobus monkeys live in the scenic Nyungwe and can be explored during colobus trekking with an experienced guide from Rwanda. Visitors above 12 are eligible for guided colobus monkey treks in Nyungwe National Park.

The best time to visit Nyungwe for Rwanda tour

Nyungwe Forest National Park is best to visit during the peak dry season, which occurs twice a year. The longest dry season falls in June, July, August, and September, while the short drier months begin from December to February. Generally, these drier months come with ideal conditions for most of Nyungwe’s activities, including hiking, chimpanzee tracking, and colobus monkey tracking.

Accommodation Options

The various lodging options present for visitor overnight stay range from budget, midrange, to luxury. They include One&Only Nyungwe House, Kitabi Eco-Center, Nyungwe Nziza Eco-Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, and Gisakura Guesthouse.

How to reach Nyungwe for a vacation

Nyungwe can be reached from Kigali, which takes about 5 to 7 hours, and en route, visitors can make a stopover at Huye and Nyanza. If you are in Volcanoes National Park, visitors can also safely connect to Nyungwe, and this route comes with jaw-dropping views of Lake Kivu. Driving from Volcanoes to Nyungwe can take about 4-5 hours, depending on the driver’s speed and stopovers en route.

By air travel –Visitors can also have quick access to Nyungwe using a domestic flight, and within 45 minutes, you can be at Kamembe International Airport. From Kamembe Airport to Nyungwe is approximately 40 km.