Nyungwe Forest National Park Safari
Witness the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle across 14,763 km² of open savannah — Without a doubt, this park is Uganda’s crown jewel.
Best time to visit
Jun-Sept
Minimum stay
4-5 days
Top Sightings
Habituated Chimpanzees, Colobus Monkeys & Endemi birds
Distance from Capital
329 Kms2
Location
Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru & Karongi
Best for
Family & Couples
Nyungwe Forest National Park Safari
A huge breathtaking ancient rainforest in the Smokey Mountains, with gorgeous views, winding roads, and lush green foliage home to the majestic apes and cascading waterfalls.
Nyungwe National Park is an incredible park located on the western border of Rwanda near Cyangungu town and Lake Kivu. The park covers an area of 970 sq.Km of land. The park has a medley of exciting activities such as nature walks, canopy walks, hiking, bird watching, colobus monkey tracking, as well home to chimpanzees and famous waterfalls.
Deep in the heart of this African Rainforest, there are a lot of secrets and treasures to uncover, the pristine forest of Rwanda is rich in biodiversity with over 100 plant and tree species like Carapa, Cyathea Manniana, Engtandophrama, Newtonia,13 species of primates like Chimpanzees, B&W Colobus Monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, golden monkeys and Angola Colobus Monkeys, 75 species of mammals, 120 species of butterflies and over 2oo species of colorful bird birds singing melody sounds in the nature.
Nyungwe NP Safari activities
COMBINE 01
Bird watching safaris
What do you know about Uganda birding, what birds do you know in Uganda birding
COMBINE 01
Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Golden monkey trekking one of the best experiences
Things to do while at Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe National Park offers several exciting activities such as primate tracking, Forest nature walks, birding, and canopy walks with amazing views of mountains, water bodies, and green vegetation. The activities include.
Chimpanzee Tracking.
Nyungwe forest is captivating, lush vegetation that is a haven for over 400 individual awesome chimpanzees in Rwanda with only two groups habituated groups.
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest is one of the exhilarating activities that will allow you to discover and explore the magical forest immersing into a million treasures that the forest beholds.
You join an early morning nature walk into the forest following the footpaths under the guidance of experienced guides and rangers to search for one of the two habituated clans found in the Uwinka and Cyamudongo sections of the park.
Once you encounter the chimps, visitors get are given one magical hour to spot the apes scampering at the treetops, playing, feeding, and grooming as you take photos of a lifetime experience.
Always pack lots of drinking water bottles and light snacks to renew your energy. To have a comfortable time tracking the chimps
A chimpanzee trekking permit costs $100 and can be obtained directly from the Rwanda Development Board or by using the services of a good tour operator to get you one. One also needs to pay for the park entrance which costs $100. The age limit for Chimp tracking in Rwanda is 15 years.
Selected Nyungwe NP Sightings & Attractions
Chimpanzee
Black and white colobus monkey
colobus Monkey
Blue monkey
Colobus Monkey Tracking
Besides Chimpanzee tracking, Nyungwe forest is a haven for others like the Angola Colobus Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Hamlyn’s Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Olive Baboon, Red-tailed Monkeys, Silver Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, White and Black and Colobus monkeys.
Colobus monkey tracking is one of the incredible activities that will immerse you in real African adventure movies full of monkeys roaming and scampering at the treetops, playing and interacting with each other.
Nyungwe’s small primates can be tracked using four trails – The Kamiranzovu Trail which involves walking through orchids and marshes to spot some of the primates.
The Bigugu Trail takes you up to the peak of Mount Bigugu to see more of the monkeys already sited in other trails and others only seen in higher altitudes.
For Colobus Monkeys, then the Waterfall Trail that starts from around the Gisakura Guest House up to the Tea estate is just perfect. The Unwika Campsite Trail is the last and is divided into two – Red (10 Km) and Grey (1 Km). This trail allows you to spot several primate species and over 400 Colobus Monkeys.
Forest Canopy walks.
The Canopy walk in Nyungwe is the most extraordinary activity in the rainforest with breathtaking hangs over 60 m above the floor within the giant trees and towers, revealing a stunning view of flora and fauna.
The canopy walk starts at the Uwinka Visitors Center at 8:00 am and goes through a hanging bridge that is adjourned between the giant trees at 60 meters above the ground. The canopy walk offers visitors the freshness of the air, wonderful spectacular aerial views of the rainforest tops, animals, and colorful flying birds.
Hiking
The hike in Nyungwe is an on-foot walk experience that enables hikers to explore the hidden gem of the Rainforest. The several hiking trails are painted in different colors allowing visitors to spot the forest animals and birds in the interior. The Igishigishigi Trail is the shortest while the Bigugu Trail leading up to the mountain is the most difficult taking at least 5 hours to complete. The waterfall trail is designed to lead visitors to the beautiful waterfalls of the forest. Nature lovers with time to spare usually take time to complete each trail at a time. By the end of their time in the forest, they would have discovered and explored everything there is to know about this old forest including the primates.
Bird watching
For birding enthusiasts, Nyungwe forest is the perfect destination to spot a variety of stunning birds. Nyungwe National Park is home to over 300 bird species of which 27 can only be found in the Albertine region.
A birding nature walk through trails in the forest offers the best spots of the Archer’s Robin-Chat, Barred long Tailed Cuckoo, Blue Turaco, Chapin’s flycatcher, Doherty’s Bush Shrikes, grey-chested Kakamega, Handsome Francolin, Lagden’s Bush Shrikes, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Pockefellers’s sunbird, Purple Throated Sunbird, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Rwenzori Double Collared Warbler, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, White Bellied Robin-chat, White Tailed Flycatcher and the Yellow Eyed Black Flycatcher.
Birding Nature walks need to be booked with the Rwanda Development Board for $50. The Birds Guides have knowledge about the characteristics of most of the bird species and where to find them. Their best method of identifying them is by bird calls.
The dry season is perfect for birding because migrant birds usually flock to the forest to find food and escape harsh winter conditions in Europe.
Selected Nyungwe NP Safari Packages
3 Days
Private
3 Days Kibale Forest National Park Fly-in Chimpanzee Safari
from
$ 700
per personBiking
Biking in Nyungwe takes through the Congo Nile Trail: The Congo Nile Trail passes through Nyungwe National Park allowing visitors to bike through this particular section.
Biking or cycling through the Congo trail offers perfect opportunities to explore the park the beauty of the park. As one meanders through the trail by bike, they are bound to encounter countless bird species, primates, and other forest wildlife.
It is also a perfect way to see all the beautiful trees and plant species that make the forest so attractive to nature lovers. Camping is a must while biking through the trail. It is therefore important to carry along the right clothing, camping equipment, snacks, and water.
In Conclusion,
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest tropical forests with incredible forest activities that offer the first-of –its Kind experience
Nyungwe NP in Summary
Best Attractions
Habituated Chimpanzees, Colobus Monkeys & Endemi birds
Best time to visit
Jun-Sept
Best Attractions
Wildlife, river scenery and game drives
Top activities
Chimpanzee trekking, Canopy Walk & Colobus monkey trekking
How to Get there.
By Road where a scenic drive from Kigali takes about 5 to 6 hours (covering roughly 225 km) passing through Huye. You can rent a car, hire a driver, or take a public bus from Kigali's Nyabugogo park toward Rusizi, getting off at the Uwinka visitor center or By Air with RwandaAir operates domestic flights from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport near Rusizi, followed by a 1-hour drive to the park. Alternatively, you can charter a helicopter via Akagera Aviation
Recommended duration
Gisakura Guest House (Budget), Nyungwe nziza Eco Lodge
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nyungwe Forest National Park located and how do I get there?
Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in southwestern Rwanda, bordering Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It lies approximately 225 kilometres from Kigali. You can reach the park via a 5- to 6-hour scenic drive from the capital city, or by booking domestic flights via Akagera Aviation to the nearby Kamembe Airport.
What makes Nyungwe Forest so unique?
It is one of Africa’s oldest and largest remaining Afromontane tropical rainforests, spanning over 1,000 square kilometres. Managed by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, it serves as Rwanda’s largest water catchment area—supplying two-thirds of the country’s water and feeding the furthest headwaters of both the Nile and Congo rivers
What is the Canopy Walkway?
Nyungwe features East Africa’s iconic suspended Canopy Walkway, hanging 70 metres high above the forest floor and stretching 160 metres long. It offers an incredible bird’s-eye view of the ancient rainforest canopy but can be challenging for those with a severe fear of heights
What essential gear should I pack?
The area is surrounded by forests, and because the rainforest sits at high altitudes (up to 3,000 metres) and experiences unpredictable mountain weather, your pack should include sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with excellent grip, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect against biting insects, a warm jacket and rainproof wear, High-quality binoculars, a waterproof bag for electronic gear and cash in local currency for tipping park guides or hiring local
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No surprises. Your quotation explains accommodation, permits, park fees, transport, meals and exclusions before you book.
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Your journey supports conservation areas, local guides, porters, lodges and communities connected to wildlife tourism.
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We only work with knowledgeable guides who value wildlife, safety, hospitality and meaningful guest experiences.
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You receive personal support from start to finish. Before arrival and reliable assistance throughout your safari.
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After booking, no surprising changes. Your tours depart when, how and from the same location we mentioned it would.
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All our safaris are strictly designed around your interests, travel dates, comfort level and budget shape every itinerary.
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Low Season
Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, may
Peak Season
Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Dec
Recommended Stay
Buhoma Gorilla Camp,
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