Luxury rainforest lodge overlooking Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s largest protected rainforest and one of Africa’s most important montane forest ecosystems, offering exceptional primate encounters, remarkable biodiversity, and spectacular natural scenery. Situated in south-western Rwanda along the border with Burundi, the park encompasses ancient rainforest, bamboo thickets, waterfalls, wetlands, and mist-covered mountain ridges that form part of the Albertine Rift, one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots.

Internationally recognised for its extraordinary primate diversity and exceptional conservation value, Nyungwe National Park is home to Rwanda’s largest population of chimpanzees alongside numerous monkey species, forest birds, orchids, and indigenous plants.

Why Visit Nyungwe National Park?

Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s premier rainforest destination, offering some of Africa’s finest chimpanzee tracking experiences within one of the continent’s oldest and most biologically diverse tropical forests. The park combines exceptional primate encounters, ancient rainforest ecosystems, breathtaking mountain scenery, and internationally recognised conservation, making it an essential destination for nature lovers exploring Rwanda.

Visitors can enjoy exhilarating chimpanzee tracking, guided canopy walks, birdwatching excursions, forest hikes, monkey tracking, and immersive nature experiences while discovering one of Africa’s most significant biodiversity hotspots. Located approximately five to six hours from Kigali, Nyungwe National Park is commonly combined with Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Lake Kivu, and Kigali as part of a comprehensive Rwanda safari.

Wildlife & Natural Highlights

Nyungwe National Park is best known for its habituated chimpanzees, offering one of the best opportunities in Africa to observe these fascinating primates in their natural rainforest habitat. The park is also home to more than 12 other primate species, including the Ruwenzori colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, owl-faced monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, and olive baboon, making it one of Africa’s richest primate destinations.

The park’s diverse habitats include ancient montane rainforest, bamboo forests, swamps, waterfalls, and mountain grasslands that support exceptional biodiversity. Bird enthusiasts can observe more than 320 bird species, including numerous Albertine Rift endemics such as the red-collared babbler, Rwenzori turaco, Rockefeller’s sunbird, grauer’s swamp warbler, and handsome francolin, making Nyungwe National Park one of East Africa’s premier forest birding destinations.

Popular Experiences

Nyungwe National Park offers a variety of unforgettable activities that showcase its exceptional rainforest ecosystems, wildlife, and conservation heritage.

Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is the park’s signature experience, allowing visitors to follow habituated chimpanzee communities through the rainforest while observing their social behaviour, communication, and daily activities under the guidance of experienced park rangers.

Canopy Walk

The famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk offers a thrilling perspective of the rainforest from a suspended bridge approximately 70 metres above the forest floor, providing spectacular views of the surrounding canopy, mountains, birds, and primates.

Birding & Nature Walks

Guided birdwatching excursions and nature walks introduce visitors to Nyungwe’s remarkable birdlife, indigenous plants, waterfalls, orchids, butterflies, and rainforest ecology while highlighting the park’s outstanding biodiversity.

Forest Hiking & Primate Tracking

An extensive network of well-maintained forest trails allows visitors to Hike, explore waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and diverse habitats while searching for several monkey species and experiencing one of Africa’s oldest tropical rainforests.

Best Time to Visit

Nyungwe National Park can be visited throughout the year, with each season offering rewarding rainforest and primate experiences.
The dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, are generally considered the best periods for chimpanzee tracking, hiking, canopy walks, and photography, as forest trails are typically less slippery and wildlife viewing conditions are more comfortable.

The green seasons, from March to May and October to November, bring lush vegetation, flowing waterfalls, and excellent birdwatching opportunities, particularly for Albertine Rift endemics and migratory species. Chimpanzee tracking remains available throughout the year, although trekking conditions may be more challenging after periods of rainfall.

Featured Safari Packages

Discover Nyungwe National Park through our professionally guided safari itineraries, carefully designed to combine unforgettable chimpanzee tracking with Rwanda’s other iconic destinations.

Featured Packages

Explore each itinerary to compare destinations, accommodation collections, pricing, and included experiences before choosing the Rwanda safari that best matches your travel style, or browse all our Safari Packages.

Stay Collections

Complete your journey through the Nyungwe Forest National Park by selecting the accommodation collection that matches your preferred level of comfort and travel style. Our carefully selected safari lodges and camps provide exceptional hospitality, strategic locations, and memorable experiences while following the same professionally planned itinerary.

Choose from our Mid-Range Collection, Premium Collection, and Signature Collection to compare accommodation standards and discover the stay that best complements your Rwanda safari.

Plan Your Visit

Planning your safari begins with selecting the itinerary that best matches your interests and travel style. Explore our Rwanda Safaris, Chimpanzee Tracking Safaris, Birding Safaris, and Uganda & Rwanda Safaris to discover journeys featuring Nyungwe National Park alongside Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Lake Kivu, and Kigali. You can also browse our complete range of safari collections to compare destinations, trip durations, activities, and accommodation standards before planning your East African adventure.

Conservation & Tourism Partners

Nyungwe National Park is recognised as one of Africa’s most important rainforest conservation areas, protecting one of the continent’s oldest tropical forests and an exceptional diversity of primates, birds, and plant species. Conservation efforts led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), together with conservation organisations, researchers, and local communities, play a vital role in safeguarding the park’s unique ecosystems while promoting sustainable tourism and scientific research.