Nyungwe national park covers an area of over 1,020 sq. km which contains a dense Afro-montane tropical rainforests. The forest thrives in the high-altitude region of the Albertine Rift Valley, with elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,950 meters above sea level. The park’s highest point is Mount Bigugu, and can be reached on foot with a guide.
Nyungwe is one of the most ancient tropical forests in central Africa having been gazetted in 2004 its rich biodiversity is well protected including over 1,058 plant species including 230 tree species; over 280 bird species of which 26 are Albertine Rift Endemics; 86 mammal species of which 14 are endemic, 120 butterfly species of which 40 are endemic; 43 reptiles, 33 amphibians, and 13 primate species including chimpanzees, L’hoest monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, and Rwenzori colobus monkeys.
The park was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list in September 2023 boosting its potential as an eco-tourism destination, offering unique activities like chimpanzee trekking, colobus monkey tracking, birding, canopy walkway, over 13 hiking trails, and attractions such as waterfalls.
In addition to wildlife, the Nyungwe Cultural Village, a project of One & Only Nyungwe House compliments the park’s natural attractions with rich Rwandan customs which including music, dance, storytelling, crafts, and cuisine. To guarantee the long-term protection and sustainable development of Nyungwe forest national park, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) partnered with African Parks Network (APN) to manage the park since 2010.
This partnership is aimed at strengthening tourism, conservation, and law enforcement to protect the park from illegal activities, including poaching, deforestation, and encroachment. In 2013, the APN started an initiative to train all guides as Certified Interpretive Guides, who offer a quality tourism experience. Chimpanzee trekking safaris to Nyungwe forest are available booking through RDB or a tour operator.
Flora and fauna
Nyungwe’s unique vegetation types include Afro-montane and lowland forests, East African montane moorlands, bamboo thickets, and papyrus and carex wetlands together with rivers such as Kamiranzovu wetland. The montane forest contains tree species that form a dense canopy which can grow up to 45 meters tall including Entandrophragma excelsum, Newtonia buchanani, and Syzygium guineense.
Tree ferns Cyathea manniana and Cyathea dregei can be seen along the Igishigishigi trai that leads visitors to the canopy walkway from Uwinka visitor center and back. The floor of the forest contains a dense undergrowth of orchids, ferns, shrubs, and epiphytic species of which most are found in Kamiranzovu Swamp, the largest peat bog in Africa including Eulophia horsfellii, Cynorchis kassneriana, Calanthe sylvatica Epistemma neuerburgii, Polystachya virginea, Polystachya parva, which flourish under shade in humid conditions.
Due to a variety of habitats Nyungwe supports a diverse range of species including over 1,058 plant species including 230 tree species; 13 primate species, over 280 bird species of which 17 are Albertine Rift Endemics; 86 mammal species of which 14 are endemic, 120 butterfly species of which 40 are endemic; 43 reptiles, and 33 amphibians.
Among the primate species found in Nyungwe include chimpanzee, L’hoest monkeys, Owl faced monkeys, Mona monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, red-tailed monkey, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, olive baboons. There are also the nocturnal galagos and bush babies such as the Greater bush baby and Eastern needle clawed galago.
Mammal species in Nyungwe forest national park black fronted duikers, Lestrade’s duikers, and yellow-backed duikers, bush pig. Among the big and small cat species include leopards, Golden cats, Serval cats, African civets, Two-spotted civet, side-striped jackal, wild cats, Cape genets, and servaline genets.
Birds
Of the 280 bird species found in Nyungwe the most sought after are the 17 Albertine rift endemics which include Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori nightjar, Red throated alethe, Red faced woodland warbler, Neumann’s warbler, Rwenzori batis, Blue headed warbler, Regal sunbird, Strange weaver, Collared apalis, Mountain masked apalis, Strip breasted tit, Yellow eyed black flycatcher, and Equatorial akalat.
What to do and see in Nyungwe national park
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee tracking offers an opportunity to hike on foot through the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe with almost. The chimpanzee communities in Nyungwe have been habituated for tourism since 2005. The primates accustomed to humans yet still wild which offers almost 99% chance of seeing them in their natural habitat.
The activity starts at 4:30 or 5:30 am in the morning with wakeup call followed by breakfast and departure to the pre-determined briefing center at 6:30 am. There are three visitor centers where chimp trekking takes place which include Uwinka, Gisakura, and Kitabi. During the briefing session, RDB guides will explain the trekking rules, safety precautions, and also give a hint on how long the trek might take.
However, in regards to the duration it takes to locate the chimps, this is not easy to predict as they keep moving in the forest. Chimps are highly active and tend to spend most of their time in the tree canopies as well as on ground looking for food. As such, searching for them can be challenging due to the nature of terrain.
The trails will begin on a cleared path and eventually wind into the interior part of forest where trackers often use machete to cut away to follow through. It is highly recommended to hire a porter to assist you carry a backpack and give you a hand. Porters are part of the local community and some are ex-poachers tourism offers an alternative source of livelihood other than depending on nature.
RDB rangers know how to track the chimps based on their vocalizations. Once a chimpanzee troop is located, visitors spend about 1 hour observing them from a safe distance about 7-10 meters. During this time, visitors can watch the chimps feed, play, groom, and interact with one another. After the time allotted is over, visitors will trek back to meet the driver and return to the lodge for lunch. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate in chimpanzee trekking.
Colobus monkey tracking
This is another awesome primate activity only available in Rwanda. Nyungwe forest national park is famous for harboring the largest troop of black and white colobus monkeys, with a single troop containing over 300 individuals. The colobus monkey tracking experience starts at Gisakura tourism center to the western entrance of the park neighboring the Gisakura Tea Estate. The activity is relatively easier when compared to chimpanzee trekking. Given that they tend to dwell in secondary forests and woodlands along the edge of the park, so they’re easier to track and see.
Kamiranzovu waterfalls trail
Reaching a height of 17 meters tall with two spectacular cascades, Kamiranzovu is a must-visit gem in East Africa. The falls are formed by streams that originate from the swamp, one of the largest tropical peat bogs in Central Africa. The swamp retains water all year round which ensures a continuous flow of waterfalls, so put on sturdy hiking boots when going for the hike.
The forest around the falls is wet and mossy and contains a variety of beautiful flowering plant species with over 160 species orchids recorded including Polystachyas and Bulbophyllum species which include Bulbophyllum expallidum and Bulbophyllum oreonastes which grow on dead wood and Polystachya virginea, Polystachya parva endemic to Rwanda. Among other plants include Cynorchis kassneriana, Eulophia horsfellii, and Calanthe sylvatica. The Kamiranzovu waterfall trail is almost 6 km and takes 3 hours roundtrip from Uwinka visitor center.
Hiking
Nyungwe offers over 13 hiking trails including Mount Bigugu, a hike to the highest point of the park. Each hiking trail differs in terms of difficulty, duration, and the attractions you’ll encounter along the way.
Tea plantation tours
The western edge of Nyungwe national park is surrounded by tea plantations including the 1,596 hectares Gisakura Tea Estate which acts as a buffer zone. Given that tea is unpalatable for gorillas and other wildlife, it helps to prevent human-wildlife conflicts. The tea estate is 64% managed by smallholder farmers which provide jobs and income given that Gisakura’s CTC black tea has a steady demand in both global and regional markets for use in tea bags.
As such overreliance on the forest for resources like firewood and bush meat which can contribute to deforestation and habitat destruction has tremendously reduced. Taking a tea plantation tour is one of the ways to support conservation and tourism around the park and learn about the tea production process and local culture.
You can try your hands at picking tea leaves or observing the drying, rolling, packaging processes and taste the tea at the end of the tour. Freshly packaged tea bags are available for purchase giving you the chance to take home a piece of your experience. Those intending to enjoy the aerial views of the plantations can go for paramotoring activity.
Nyungwe Cultural Troupe
This cultural troupe is based in Gisakura area and offers cultural entertainment to those who hire them. Those intending to enjoy Rwandan storytelling, art, and performances can request their lodge to invite the troupe around campfire.
How to get there
Nyungwe forest national park is 220 km (5-hour drive) southwest of Kigali capital. There are two entrance gates which include Gisakura to the west and Kitabi to the east. Kigali to Kitabi is the most direct route with awesome stopovers along such as King’s Palace and Ethnographic Museum in Huye.
Gisakura entrance gate can be reached by car using the route from Volcanoes national park via Rubavu and Karongi along the shores of Lake Kivu. It is a longer but scenic route for a keen photographer. Depending on the route you take, Nyungwe is 220 km (5-hour drive) southwest of Kigali. The park can also be reached by air through Kamembe International Airport located in Cyangugu town about 50 km (1-hour drive) from Nyungwe Gisakura entry gate.
Where to stay
The park offers a wide range of accommodations including ultra-luxury lodges such as One & Only Nyungwe House located on the edge of the forest along the Gisakura Tea Estate. Among other lodges in the same area include Gisakura Guest House offering basic budget accommodation. Camping is also available at Uwinka and Gisakura visitor centers.