Nyungwe Forest National Park which lies in the south-west region of Rwanda is Africa’s most ancient rainforest, a biodiversity hotspot and a naturalists’ paradise. This expansive montane forest spreads over the continent’s most biodiversity rich zone – the Albertine Rift known for its endemic flora and fauna. Inscribed by UNESCO as a natural world heritage site in 2023, Nyungwe forests’ biodiversity include 13 species of primates including the chimpanzee, 29 Albertine Rift endemic birds, high montane vegetation zones and the largest high-altitude swamps.
Although Nyungwe forests’ biodiversity attracts mainly naturalists on their quest for the Albertine endemics and trek expereince along the chimpanzee and other smaller primates, the park is an outdoor adventure hotspot offering a wide range of activities. Among the top highlights is hiking along the forest’s excellent trails, canopy walk, biking, ziplining and forest camping.
Biodiversity brief of Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Size: 1,019km2
- Altitude range: 1600-2950m
- Habitat type: High canopy montane rain forest, Bamboo covered slopes, Grasslands and high-altitude swamps/marshes.
- 1068 species of plants of which up to 250 species are Albertine Rift Endemics
- 86 species of mammals including 13 species of primates
- Over 38 species of reptiles.
- Over 322 species of birds of which 29 Albertine Rift Endemics
- 120 species of butterflies
Things to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park
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Chimpanzee Tracking Experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee trekking experience is a major highlight on any tour that comes here at Nyungwe forest. The main montane rainforest block protects a population of over 500 chimpanzee individuals where only two communities named Uwinka and Banda are available for daily trekking. Another excellent Chamudongo Forest, an isolated 6km2 montane forest patch on the edges of Nyungwe consists of a 40-strong community offers high trek chances along this intelligent human closest relative ape.
A typical chimpanzee trek day experience begins early at 5 am local time to meet up with rangers at the Gisakula reception center or any other agreed location, where a drive of up to an hour brings you to the trailhead of this forest. Here, a hike will lead towards the chimpanzee feeding range and at locating them you will be accorded only an hour to watch the interaction up close. Experience duration varies each day but anywhere from 4-6hrs is normal. Standard safety primate trekking regulations and advisory apply.
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Birding in Nyungwe Forest for Albertine Rift Endemics
Nyungwe Forest National Park ranks as a top birding hotspot offering the most rewarding montane birding expereince across the region with the most safest access to the bird-rich Albertine Rift. The montane forest boats a checklist of over 322 species-checklist comprising of typical afro-montane, range-restricted and highland specialists and the most-sought after 29 Albertine rift endemics local here. Read here, our popular and recommendable well-paced specialist birding tour that explores various birding macro habitats in Nyungwe forest.
Excellent birding trails traverse the forest interior, exploiting various altitude ranges and unique habitats that include forest edges, bamboo zone, high-altitude marshes and wetlands and forest interiors where a variety of habitat restricted specialists occur.
Nyungwe Forest Bird Specials include; Rockefeller Sunbird, Kungwe Apalis, Red-collared Babbler, Albertine Owlet, Handsome Francolin patrol road edges especial morning and evening. Other highlights include; Red-collared Babbler, Red-chested Owlet, White-bellied Robin, Red-throated Alethe, Rwenzori and Black-billed Turaco, Collared Apalis, Regal, Blue-throated and Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Crowned Eagle, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimson-wing and more.
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Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest is an adventurer’s haven offering numerous hiking options setting off from the parks visitors’ reception of Uwinka and Gisakula. The forest is networked by over 13 hiking trails spreading across various vegetation and altitudinal ranges uncovering a diversity of flora and fauna. These excellent trails expose snow-white waterfalls, primates, butterflies, birdlife, and plant life of which a variety is endemic to the Albertine Rift and found nowhere else. Trails differ in distance covered and terrain grouped as easy to difficulty levels catering to all fitness categories and interests. The most popular hikes include to the park’s tallest peak of Bugugu (2950m) and along the Nile-Congo divide.
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Canopy Walk at Nyungwe Forest National Park
A canopy walk at Nyungwe Forest is an exciting adventure that offers a unique perspective and excellent views above the towering canopies of this ancient rainforest. The canopy walk is a 160m long steel walkway rising 70m high from the forest floor above the ravine and over the lush montane sections. It is accessed on multiple trails from Uwinka visitors reception.
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Ziplining in Nyungwe Forest
The exciting 1850m zipline is the latest addition to the thrill adventure offerings at Nyungwe Forest. Setting off from Uwinka visitors reception, the zipline offers a bird’s eye view over the canopies of this ancient montane forest with chances to see primates and of course panoramic landscapes.