Africa's Ancient Rainforest
Nyungwe National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, covering 1,019 km² of dense montane forest in southwestern Rwanda. It's a paradise for primates, birds, and nature lovers.
Highlights
- Canopy walkway: Walk 50 meters above the forest floor on East Africa's only canopy walk — a 200-meter suspension bridge offering breathtaking views
- Chimpanzee tracking: Trek through the forest to find habituated chimpanzee communities
- Colobus monkey trek: See troops of up to 400 black-and-white colobus monkeys — the largest groups in Africa
- Waterfall hikes: Beautiful trails through pristine forest to hidden waterfalls
- Bird watching: Over 300 species including 27 Albertine Rift endemics
Getting There
Nyungwe is a 5-6 hour drive from Kigali through stunning hill country and tea plantations. The route passes through Huye (worth a stop for the National Museum). We recommend combining Nyungwe with Lake Kivu for a multi-day road trip.
Best Time to Visit
The dry seasons (June-September and December-February) offer easier trekking conditions, though the forest is beautiful year-round.