Tucked away in the lush, mountainous southwest of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a mystical haven of biodiversity and raw natural beauty. As one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, Nyungwe offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of a pristine ecosystem, brimming with rare wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and immersive adventure experiences. Nyungwe is not just a forest—it's an ancient, living world teeming with life. From the moment you enter, the air changes, filled with the earthy aroma of thick vegetation and the distant calls of primates echoing through the trees.
Top reasons to visit:
- Chimpanzee Trekking: The park is famous for its chimpanzee tracking experience. Guided treks take visitors deep into the forest to observe these intelligent, playful primates in their natural habitat.
- Canopy Walk Adventure: Dare to walk above the treetops on East Africa’s only canopy walkway. Suspended 50 meters high and stretching over 90 meters, the canopy bridge offers breathtaking views of the forest and its treetop dwellers.
- Bird Watching Paradise: With over 300 bird species—29 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift—Nyungwe is a birdwatcher’s dream.
- Botanical Wonders: Home to 1,068 plant species, including orchids and medicinal plants, the forest is a rich tapestry of flora.
Nyungwe’s dense jungle is a sanctuary for: 13 primate species (including Ruwenzori colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, and owl-faced monkeys), Over 85 species of mammals, A remarkable mix of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. This makes it one of the most biologically rich areas in Africa and a conservation hotspot. Nyungwe is located about 200 kilometers from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. The scenic drive takes approximately 4–6 hours and is well worth every twist and turn through Rwanda’s “land of a thousand hills.” The park borders Burundi to the south and Lake Kivu to the west, offering stunning views and nearby adventures.
Nyungwe is a biodiversity hotspot bursting with life. In the heart of the Albertine Rift, it is the largest high-altitude montane forest in East and Central Africa. One of the oldest rainforests in Africa and the largest expanse of trees in Rwanda, its large tracts of montane forest are interspersed with marshland, dappled savannahs and deep valleys, harbouring exceptional numbers and diversity of fauna and flora.
Nyungwe is the watershed between the Congo and Nile Rivers; some believe it is home to the Nile River’s most remote source, a stream that originates on Mount Bigugu, the highest point in the park.
Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, and the largest expanse of forest in Rwanda, covering 1,019 km2 of dense Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, grasslands and wetlands. The park feeds two of the world’s largest rivers, the Congo and the Nile, and provides a significant portion of Rwanda’s fresh water. Over 1,100 recorded plant species, 345 bird species and 85 known mammal species, including 13 of Africa’s primates – notably, chimpanzee, Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys – are found in this exceptional landscape.
Historically, Nyungwe’s rich fauna and flora was exposed to rampant poaching, illegal mining, unsustainable harvesting and agricultural encroachment, endangering the survival of its rich biodiversity. Following a successful partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Akagera National Park, in 2020 African Parks was invited by the Rwandan government to sign a 20-year agreement to manage Nyungwe. Together, we are working to restore and protect biodiversity, engage with the local communities, and develop a strong tourism offering to improve economic sustainability of the park. Today, the park is building a sense of ownership of conservation among the people who live around it, and developing an ecologically healthy and financially self-sufficient asset.