Nyungwe National Park Rwanda | Chimpanzee trekking & Canopy Walks
With its 1,019 km2 of thick Afromontane forests, meadows, and wetlands, Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and Rwanda’s greatest forest expanse. Much of Rwanda’s potable water comes from this park, which also supplies water to the Nile and the Congo, the two biggest rivers in the world. This extraordinary environment is home to more than 1,100 plant species, 345 bird species, and 85 mammal species, including 13 species of African primates, such as chimpanzees, Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
After a fruitful collaboration in Akagera National Park, African Parks in 2020 inked a 20-year management agreement with the Rwandan government for Nyungwe. Community growth, economic sustainability, and the restoration of the parks’ essential ecosystems are all being aided by this relationship.
The Nyungwe Forest National Park encourages responsible use of resources and encourages revenue-generating activities to boost the local economy via its support of community cooperatives, which consist of small-scale businesses. Concurrently, the expansion of the park’s tourist offerings is bolstering its sustainability and generating jobs in the area. In addition to laying the groundwork for a conservation-led future, these efforts are fostering a sense of collective duty to protect biodiversity.
Nyungwe National Park Rwanda Safaris
Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda is a premier African destination for primate trekking, featuring habituated chimpanzees, 13 primate species, and the iconic 70m-high canopy walkway. Safaris often include chimpanzee tracking, colobus monkey spotting, birding, and hiking through ancient rainforest, with popular, high-end, and mid-range tours available.
6 Days Rwanda Primates Itinerary
A 6-day Rwanda primate safari typically combines gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This action-packed itinerary often includes golden monkey tracking, a canopy walk, and cultural visits to the Iby’Iwachu village.
6 Days Rwanda Wildlife & Gorillas
A 6-day Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari typically combines trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park with savannah game drives in Akagera National Park or primate tracking in Nyungwe Forest. this itinerary, often starting and ending in Kigali, provide a comprehensive experience featuring gorillas, chimpanzees, the Big Five, and cultural tours.
8 Days Rwanda Itinerary
An 8-day itinerary in Rwanda typically combines primate tracking (gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys) with wildlife safaris, cultural experiences, and relaxation by Lake Kivu.
9 Days Rwanda Itinerary
A 9-day itinerary in Rwanda typically combines a mix of wildlife adventures (gorilla, chimpanzee, and Big Five trekking) and cultural experiences, exploring the country’s key national parks and cities.
Nyungwe, Lake Kivu And Volcanoes
A 10 day Rwandan itinerary connecting Nyungwe National Park, Lake Kivu, and Volcanoes National Park offers a premier blend of primate trekking, volcanic scenery, and relaxation. Highlights include chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks in Nyungwe, relaxing by Lake Kivu, and gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes.
7-Day Nyungwe And Volcanoes
A 7-day Rwanda safari typically combines mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Highlights often include golden monkey tracking, hiking Mount Bisoke or Karisimbi, visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, and relaxing by Lake Kivu. This action-packed itinerary usually starts and ends in Kigali.
Nyungwe Highlights
- In 2023, Nyungwe was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was acknowledged as a site of exceptional universal value, boasting notable biological variety and essential ecological functions.
- No other forest in the Albertine Rift Mountains can compare to Nyungwe in terms of the amount of endemic species it contains.
- Many of the members of Nyungwe’s eco-ranger team have repented of their illicit past and are now devoted to clearing the forest of snares.
- Community cooperatives have enabled more than 1,600 locals to participate in long-term economic activity, which has benefited more than 6,800 household members.
- With a length of 1,935 meters, the Nyungwe Zipline is among the longest in Africa.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
The most significant biodiversity area in Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is also given the highest priority for forest conservation in Africa. Nyungwe is hardly well-known outside of East Africa despite its enormous biodiversity. The opportunity to follow chimpanzees, who have grown accustomed to human visitors over the years, is Nyungwe’s biggest attraction. A further delight is the straightforward joy of trekking over the verdant, verdant valleys of the equatorial rainforest on well-kept routes.
While chimps take center stage here, sightings of other monkey groups—such as Angolan colobi, Dent’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and diademed monkeys—are almost certain.
Huye–Cyangugu road splits Nyungwe National Park in half. Both the Gisakura and Kitabi Booking Offices are located along this route and provide admission to the park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nestled over 1,019 km2 of lush Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, meadows, and marshes, Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and the biggest forest area in Rwanda. The Nyungwe Forest National Park supplies a substantial amount of freshwater for Rwanda and feeds the Congo and Nile, two of the biggest rivers in the world. In this remarkable terrain are over 1,100 documented plant species, 345 bird species, and 85 known mammal species, including 13 of Africa’s primates, including chimpanzees, Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
Rich biodiversity in Nyungwe has historically been threatened by widespread poaching, illicit mining, unsustainable harvesting, and agricultural encroachment. In 2020 African Parks was approached by the Rwandan government to sign a 20-year agreement to administer Nyungwe after a fruitful collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Akagera National Park. In order to increase the park’s economic sustainability, we are collaborating to engage the local communities, restore and conserve animals, and create a robust tourism offering. These days, the park is fostering an ecologically sound and financially self-sufficient asset while also giving the locals a sense of ownership of conservation.
Nyungwe Forest National Park Highlights
- With excellent conservation, tourism and sustainable revenue-generating activities under way, Nyungwe is quickly emerging as a biodiversity hotspot that supports healthy ecosystems for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
- Among the forests in the Albertine Rift Mountains, Nyungwe has more endemic species than any other.
- Three chimpanzee communities are watched upon and tracked every day, and visitors are welcome.
- Programmes for community awareness have reached more than 30,000 people.
- Comprising community members who have all given up their prior involvement in poaching, Nyungwe’s eco-ranger team has helped remove 60% of all poachers’ snares from the forest.
Animals in Nyungwe Forest National Park
There are 75 different species of mammal living in Nyungwe forest, most of which are hard to see since they are small or nocturnal. The primary draw of Nyungwe Forest are the chimpanzees, which are walked every day early in the morning. Visitors to the park can enjoy another interesting pastime as troops of up to 300 colobus monkeys roam the treetops.
Nyungwe forest’s 13 recorded primate species: Chimpanzees, Silver monkey, Golden monkey, Owl-faced monkey/ Hamlyn’s monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, Vervet monkey, Olive baboon, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Blue Monkey, Angolan Colobus Monkeys.
- 85 mammal species
- 300+ bird species
- 200 different tree species
- 248 species of orchids
Things to Do in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is a top biodiversity hotspot, famous for chimpanzee tracking, a thrilling 70m-high canopy walk, and extensive hiking trails through ancient rainforest. Key activities include tracking over 13 primate species (including colobus monkeys), birdwatching, waterfall hikes, and experiencing the lush canopy.
Huge ferns and orchids blanket the forest floor below the canopy, and the views across the rainforest canopy are simply breathtaking. Networks of walking routes in Nyungwe provide excellent possibilities for trekking birds, butterflies, and primates. It all feels remarkably naturally pure, wild, and unspoiled; several of the paths pass through ravines lined with ferns and bubbling streams.
Getting there
- Travel by car from Kigali to Nyanza, then on to Huye, and ultimately reach Nyungwe National Park. The duration of the drive is around 5 hours, with variations depending on any stopovers you may make.
- Alternatively, you have the option to travel by air using the services provided by Akagera Aviation.
Helicopter Tours
Akagera Aviation provides helicopter charters and beautiful trips in Rwanda.
The fleet consists of three types of helicopters: the Agusta 109, Agusta 139, and Robinson 44. The Agusta 109 can accommodate up to 6 passengers, the Agusta 139 can accommodate up to 5 passengers, and the Robinson 44 can accommodate up to 3 passengers.
Scenic trips vary in duration from 30 minutes to two and a half hours, and guarantee a breathtaking aerial perspective of the hilly landscape.
Akagera Aviation, established in 2004, is a privately-owned company headquartered at Kigali International Airport. The company has offices located in the primary terminal building, and its operations are conducted from a specialized hangar situated on the airside of the airport.
The company holds a license issued by the Rwandan Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA). Rwanda is a member state of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), ensuring that visitors may be confident that all services adhere to global standards of excellence.
In 2008, Akagera Aviation became the first dealership and service center for Robinson Helicopters in the East African region.
Akagera Aviation offers a range of services including emergency medical services, aerial photography, surveys, and other related services.
Where to stay in the Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe Top View Hotel:
Top View offers stunning vistas of the surrounding forest and tea plantations from its elevated location. Its close proximity to the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park makes it an ideal starting place for hiking expeditions to observe chimpanzees and explore the area.
One&Only Nyungwe House:
Nyungwe House, which is owned by The One & Only Collection, is encompassed by a vast area of verdant tea estates. The lodge is a remarkable and secluded resort that offers contemporary lodging in an excellent position for primate tours. As anticipated from the One&Only group, this establishment exudes a contemporary, elegant, and refined ambiance, offering all the luxuries that a secluded hotel can provide.