Rwanda · National park
Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzees in an ancient rainforest
Size
About 1,019 km²
Location
South-west Rwanda
Best time
Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb
Known for
Chimpanzees, canopy walk
About the park
One of Africa's oldest rainforests
Nyungwe protects a vast mountain rainforest in the far south-west of Rwanda, on the border with Burundi. Its ridges and valleys are wrapped in mist most mornings, and the forest sits on the divide between the Nile and Congo river basins.
Thirteen primate species live here, including a habituated chimpanzee community and large troops of Ruwenzori colobus. The canopy walkway, suspended high above a forested valley, is one of the best ways to see the forest from above.
Highlights
Why visit Nyungwe
Chimpanzee tracking
Set out with rangers at dawn to find a chimpanzee community.
Canopy walkway
Walk among the treetops on a suspension bridge high above the valley.
Forest birds
Around 300 species, including many found only in the Albertine Rift.
Waterfalls & colobus
Trails lead to waterfalls and to troops of hundreds of colobus monkeys.
When to visit
Open all year. The dry months make trails easier, while in the wetter months chimps are often easier to find as fruit is plentiful.
Wildlife you may see
Chimpanzee, Ruwenzori colobus, L'Hoest's monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey and more than 300 bird species.
Getting there
About 5–6 hours by road from Kigali or 3 hours from Lake Kivu, or a short domestic flight to Kamembe.
Visit with Asili
Safaris to Nyungwe
9 days
Rwanda Discovery Safari
Add-on
Add Nyungwe to your safari
Tailor-made
Design your own Rwanda trip
Plan your Nyungwe visit
Chimp permits are limited each day. Tell us your dates and we'll arrange permits, lodges and transfers.
Enquire now