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Nyungwe Forest National Park
Spectacular mountains, extreme endemism, adventurous activities and unique biodiversity – Nyungwe is one of Africa’s most extraordinary tourism destinations
Introducing Nyungwe Forest National 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 freshwater. 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.
Experience the Nyungwe Forest National Park
Wildlife 
Birdlife
Wildlife at the Nyungwe Forest National Park
In this beautiful green forest – one of the oldest rainforests in Africa – rushing streams, sun-starved valleys, tree-filled mountains, dappled savannahs and extensive swamps create a home for myriad species. Nyungwe is a wonderful option for visitors wanting to see some of Rwanda’s spectacular endemics, its 13 primate species, and of course, to experience a chimpanzee trek to view one of its semi-habituated troops. It is also a place of active adventure, with hiking and cycling trails, exciting Canopy Walkway, and the enchanting Ndambarare and Kamiranozu waterfalls. Nyungwe is also a birder’s paradise with around 300 recorded species, 30 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift region.
Two groups of Chimpanzees are being habituated in Nyungwe national park: one found at Uwinka and other big group found at Cyamudongo as fragmented forest. Chimpanzees trekking in Cyamudongo forest distance, altitude gain and estimated time will depend on where the chimpanzees are located and the terrain of the forest area being trekked. The round trip walk for the chimpanzee trekking of this hike takes about 4.2km with a total altitude gain of about 240m. This represented roughly an hour of walking and three hours of looking through treetops mainly to look out for chimps, monkeys and birds.
Birdlife at the Nyungwe Forest National Park
Bird species in Nyungwe Forest National Park stands at over 300 different speciesrecorded, including 27 species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Three of these,the Albertine owlet, red-collared babbler, and Rockefeller’s sunbird, areunrecorded elsewhere on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift. Forest birding is never easy, but the wide road running through the park offers a great vantage point into the canopy. Of specific interest are the many Albertine Rift endemics (birds restricted to the Albertine Rift). Nyungwe Forest National Park is a wonderful birding area that lies in south-west Rwanda between Lake Kivu and the international border with Burundi. The Park is divided north-south by a line of mountains that reach 2,600–2,900 m and which form part of the Congo–Nile watershed. As a result, Nyungwe is composed of two areas differing in pedology, vegetation, water-flow, and biodiversity.
For birdwatchers, March and April are excellent months for bird watching, partly because resident birds are boosted by a large number of passage migrants, but also because it is the main breeding season, and several species are at their most colorful and conspicuous. For birdwatchers whose main interest is non-migrant species, May is a good month to visit Nyungwe National Park and Rwanda at large, because it falls into the main breeding season, and several species are at their most colorful and conspicuous. The resident bird species in Nyungwe Forest are boosted by a large number of Palaearctic migrants between November and April. During the bird-watching trek, no meals are included with the walk, but you’ll be served a light breakfast, or lunch, at your lodge prior to leaving for your walk. Do remember to take plenty of water with you for the walk and all the necessary gear to help you in sighting great birds around Nyungwe Forests.
Best time to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is open for visitation all year round although the drier months of January, February, June, July, August, September, and December are the most preferred because, during these months, the trails are less wet and slippery in addition to vegetation being less thick hence making hiking easier and tourists experience limited interruptions from rainfall while undertaking activities. Since the conditions tend to be dry underfoot and the odds of being drenched by a shower are relatively low, this has favored other activities to take place including nature walks as well as the breathtaking canopy walks and among others. Besides visiting Nyungwe forest, this is an excellent season for tracking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
The wetter months of March, April, May, October, and November are often avoided because hiking trails tend to be wet, slippery and vegetation thicker making hiking slightly challenging and difficult. Nonetheless, some activities such as birding are best done during the wet season because breeding usually takes place in the rainy season and migratory bird species are common at such a time. Also due to the plenty of food/vegetation during the wet season, most primates rarely move to long distances because food is easily accessible hence making activities such as chimpanzee tracking and Colobus monkey tracking a lot easier, so the best time to visit Nyungwe is much ideal in dry months.
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