Nyungwe National Park lies in Southwestern Rwanda, stretching across the Nyamagabe and Gisagara districts and offers a rainforest adventure like no other with green, full mysteries, primate encounters and canopy whispers.
It is one of the largest and oldest montane rainforests in East Africa.
How to get there
From Kigali, the drive to Nyungwe takes about 5-6 hours, depending on your entry point (Uwinka, Gisakura or Kitabi)
With many tour operators that include Nyungwe as part of the larger Rwanda safari loop, combined with Akagera or Volcanoes, perhaps you can also self-drive or hire a car through a local operator.
As for trekking and parking activities, you can start from one of these reception centres, Uwinka, Kitabi or Gisakura.
What to see and expect
Primate encounters as the park is home to over a dozen species of primates, including habituated chimpanzee troops and colobus monkeys.
Waterfalls and hiking trails with numerous trails that lead to numerous viewpoints, waterfalls falls and forest interiors.
Birdlife with Nyungwe being home to over 300 bird species, including many Albertine rift endemics
Night walks for the truly adventurous, guided night walks reveal nocturnal creatures like bush babies and owls.
Canopy walk through a raised walkway high in the forest canopy that gives a thrilling bird’s eye view of the tree tops.
Places to stay
One and only Nyungwe House is ideal as it features elegant rooms, private decks, a spa, gourmet dining and immersive forest access as the lodge is situated on a walking tea plantation along the forest edges.
Munazi Eco Lodge has rustic A-frame chalets, solar lighting, private decks and rainforest-based activities. As it’s a mid-range eco-lodge inside and very close to Nyungwe forest.
Uwinka Campsite/Eco-lodge, as here there are campsites near the Uwinka visitor Centre with basic facilities (toilets, showers, picnic gazebos)
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is perched on a hill with panoramic views of Nyungwe rainforest and nearby hills, along with Cottages, a restaurant, and easy access to hiking and canopy walks.
Gisakura guest House, a budget-friendly but comfortable guesthouse just a couple of kilometres from the forest that is run cooperatively with simple rooms, a restaurant and guided forest walks.
Where to eat
Gisakura guest House restaurant, as the guest house has a cosy dining area that serves home-cooked meals, which is especially convenient for early starts to treks
Eco-lodge dining at Munazi, the lodge includes a restaurant that uses local produce, provides forest views and serves a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner to guests.
Activities to do
- Chimpanzee trekking with expert rangers into the rainforest to follow habituated chimpanzee troops
- Canopy walks are a must-see as you walk through the tree tops on a suspended bridge that gives you an unforgettable way to view the forest from above.
- Hiking and waterfalls, as you hire a bird guide and look out for rare species, Nyungwe makes an ideal birdwatcher’s paradise.
- Tea plantations and cultural tours, as you get to visit nearby tea estates (especially near Kitabi or Gisakura) to learn about tea production, taste fresh tea, and interact with local communities.
- Night walks, when you join guided night walks to see nocturnal forest life like bush babies, owls and other nighttime creatures.
- Bird watching.
- Consider going for guided walks to spot colobus and other monkey species in the forest.
