Nyungwe National Park

Why visit Nyungwe National Park?

Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda hosts Africa's most extensive protected tract of montane forest and is an excellent location for chimpanzee trekking.

Nyungwe's forest ecosystem

Nyungwe covers 1,019km2 (over 100,000 hectares) of forested mountains, burbling streams, sun-starved valleys, and extensive swamps seemingly hiding a myriad of new species waiting to be discovered (or rediscovered).

Part of the Albertine Rift, and ranging in altitude from 1,600-3,000m, this high-altitude montane forest towers above Lake Kivu and comprises the watershed between the Congo and Nile Rivers. Some believe it is the most remote source of the Nile River.

Chimpanzees and other primates

Nyungwe hosts 13 species of primates, and tourists delight in trekking for chimpanzees and other primates such as Rwenzori pied colobus monkeys (including a mega-troop of over 400 individuals), grey-cheeked mangabey, L'Hoest's, Grivet's, Syke's, silver, blue, red-tailed monkeys, and the olive baboon. Owl-faced monkeys occur here but are hard to locate.

Nyungwe's other mammals

Amongst the 75 mammal species found, notables include Congo clawless otters, servals, golden cats, Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrels and the rare Central African linsang (related to genets).

Bird watching in Nyungwe

Bird-watching is extremely rewarding at Nyungwe, with 337 species - including 29 Albertine Rift endemics. Species to look out for include Albertine owlet, red-collared mountain babbler, Rockefeller's sunbird, mountain masked apalis, Ruwenzori turaco, dwarf honeyguide, handsome francolin, Neumann's short-tailed warbler, red-throated alethe and Shelley's crimsonwing.

Canopy walkway

The spectacular Canopy Walkway offers incredible views into and beyond the forest canopy. The 160-meter-long walkway is divided into three sections and is accessible via the 2.1 km Igishigishigi Trail, which commences at the Uwinka Visitors Centre

Why Nyungwe is a responsible safari choice

Your Africa Geographic safari to Nyungwe contributes directly to the conservation of the park to the benefit of local people because:

• 100% of Nyungwe tourism revenue earned by African Parks goes to the park's conservation efforts and local communities.

• We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level.

• Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about Nyungwe and other threatened ecosystems.

• Our chosen lodges and other service providers support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited visitor numbers to primate sightings and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem.

African Parks has managed Nyungwe since 2010, in a successful partnership with the Rwanda Development Board.

Historically, Nyungwe’s rich fauna and flora were exposed to rampant poaching, illegal mining, unsustainable harvesting and agricultural encroachment, endangering the survival of its rich biodiversity.

The park is now on a strong upward trajectory to restore and protect wildlife, engage with and involve local communities, and develop a strong tourism offering to improve the economic sustainability of the park.