Nyungwe forest National Park located in the south west of Rwanda is famous for chimpanzees, congo nile trail walk and the great canopy walk.

A 5hrs drive will take you to Nyungwe Forest National Park from Rwanda's Capital City Kigali. The park is located in the south western part of Rwanda covering an area of over 1000Sq Km about 600square miles. The area was gazzetted as a reserve forest in 1934 and was first called the Rujeje forest by the first forest duellers. It was declared a National Park in 2005 by the Rwandan Government.

The Nyungwe Forest is a home of 280 species of birds, 32 species of amphibians, 38 species of reptiles, 200species of plants and 160 species of orchids and many flower species.

Chimpanzee Tracking - Nyungwe forest is home to about 400 Chimpanzees and represents one of the last intact populations in the area. In addition to several wild chimp communities, there are currently two habituated chimpanzee groups. One in chamdungo and Uwinka (around Mayebe). A third group is still under habituation in the northern section of the park at Gisovu.

The tracking is an exciting challenge as you trek through a dense forest with great sightings of other various species of monkeys like the Red tailed, vervets, Olive baboons, Grey cheeeked mangabeys, L'hoest'd Monkeys.

The Canopy walk at Uwinka - The Nyungwe forest Canopy walk gives visitors a great opportunity to experience the rain forest with canopy walk way challenge. The walk way was built in 2010 by a canadian NGO - Green heart with help from U.S.A.I.D. It is embedded in a specialised guided tour as you slope down from the Uwinka visitor's center through the Igishigishi trail. The trail will take you approximately 30minutes to get to the starting point of the canopy as you walk slowly in a steep slipperly valley.

The Canopy walk way is 160Meters and 70meters from ground. It has 3 sections with the first Canopy at 45Meters, second at 90Meters and third being at 25Meters. From the Top of the Canopy walk way, you are able to have great view of the Nyungwe canopy, monkeys playing, close encounter with birds and on a clear day, Lake Kivu can be spotted. The Congo nile trail, Birding, H and the Isumo water falls visit are among the activities done in the Nyungwe Forest National Park.

• Elevation ranges from 2200Meters to nearly 3000Meters. (about 7000 to 9000feet).
• Park Covers over 1000 Square Kilometers (about 600Square miles).
• It is Africa's Largest Protected Mountain forest.
• 2005 was established as a National Park.
• Annual rain fall is over 2000mm(about 80 inches).

• Rain Jacket, Umbrella and scarf as it rains almost throughout the year.
• Hiking / trekking boots.
• Warm clothes.
• Walking sticks.

• 2 Days Nyugwe tour
• 2 Days Canopy walk and Chimps
• 3 Days Chimpanzee Tracking, Nyungwe National Park
• 5 Days Gorillas & Chimpanzees
• 5 Days Nyungwe & Gorilla tracking
• 5 Days Primates Rwanda
• 5 Days gorillas & chimpanzee tour Rwanda
• 7 Days Rwanda Adventure
• 9 Days Vacation Rwanda

About Nyungwe – Africa’s Oldest Rainforest

Nyungwe Forest is one of the oldest and largest high-altitude montane rainforests in Africa, covering over 1,000 km² and rising to nearly 3,000 m above sea level at Mount Bigugu, a place believed by some to be among the most distant sources of the Nile River. Its rich and lush environment forms part of the Albertine Rift, a critical biodiversity hotspot.

Primate Richness & Wildlife

Nyungwe is home to 13 species of primates, including:

• Eastern chimpanzees (habituated groups available for tracking)

• Large troops of Angolan black and white colobus monkeys (one of Africa’s largest)

• L’Hoest’s monkeys and other fascinating species

This makes Nyungwe one of the best places in Africa for primate encounters outside gorilla trekking locations.

Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Bird enthusiasts will find Nyungwe exceptional, with over 300 recorded bird species, including many endemic to the Albertine Rift region. Highlights include the Great Blue Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, red-throated alethe, and other colourful forest dwellers.

Top Activities & Trails

Nyungwe offers a wide variety of activities beyond the main attractions:

Canopy Walk Adventure
The Canopy Walkway is one of East Africa’s most iconic forest experiences, suspended high above the rainforest floor. From here you can enjoy panoramic views, spot birds and monkeys at treetop level, and appreciate the vast forest from a unique perspective.

Chimpanzee & Primate Tracking
Guided chimpanzee tracking lets you move through the forest with experienced trackers, following habituated troops and observing the behaviour of our closest animal relatives.

Hiking Trails
There are extensive hiking routes suited for all levels, from short nature walks to longer trails like the Congo-Nile Trail, Isumo waterfalls trail, and paths leading to scenic viewpoints deep inside the rainforest.

Night Walks
Night walks with local guides give you a chance to see nocturnal wildlife such as galagos, tree hyraxes and more, a completely different forest experience after dark.

Community & Cultural Experiences
At sites like the Cyamudongo Community Centre, travellers can enjoy Rwandan coffee, buy local handicrafts, and learn about community projects that support conservation and sustainable tourism.

Getting There & Practical Info

• Location: South-western Rwanda, bordered by Burundi to the south and Lake Kivu to the west.

• Distance from Kigali: About 5–6 hours’ drive (~225 km) from Kigali, or a short flight to Kamembe Airport followed by road transfer.

• Climate: The forest is wet and cool year-round, with frequent rains, good rain gear and sturdy boots are recommended.

• Best Times to Visit:

  • Dry periods: June–September and December–February offer easier walking conditions and better wildlife visibility.

  • Wet season: Ideal for lush scenery, waterfalls and bird activity.

Tips for a Better Experience

• Early starts pay off: Activities like chimp tracking often begin early in the morning, arriving at the reception centre a little before departure time improves your chances of great sightings.

• Dress appropriately: Long pants, waterproof layers, insect repellent, and good hiking shoes make forest exploration more comfortable.

• Book activities ahead: Some experiences like chimpanzee habituation or guided birding have limited daily spots, pre-booking can help secure your place.