Nyungwe National Park
Overview of Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park is one of Africa’s oldest tropical rainforests and Rwanda’s premier destination for primate trekking, birdwatching, hiking, and eco-tourism. Covering more than 1,000 square kilometers in southwestern Rwanda, the park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including 13 primate species, over 320 bird species, 75 mammal species, and more than 1,000 plant species.
For travelers seeking an authentic African rainforest experience, Nyungwe National Park offers a perfect combination of adventure, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. The park’s rolling hills, mist-covered forests, waterfalls, bamboo zones, and tea plantations create spectacular landscapes that attract nature lovers from around the world.
Whether you want to experience chimpanzee trekking, walk across East Africa’s famous canopy bridge, explore hidden waterfalls, or encounter rare monkeys, Nyungwe National Park promises unforgettable memories.
Primate Trekking Tours
Nyungwe National Park offers one of Africa's most complete rainforest experiences. Unlike traditional savannah safaris, it combines chimpanzee trekking, monkey tracking, birdwatching, canopy adventures, waterfall hikes, tea plantation tours, and cultural encounters in one destination. The park's rich biodiversity, spectacular scenery, and excellent conservation efforts make it a must-visit for anyone planning a Rwanda safari. Whether you are an adventure traveler, wildlife photographer, birder, or family looking for a unique holiday, Nyungwe National Park delivers unforgettable experiences while showcasing the natural beauty of Rwanda.
1 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Enjoy a short but unforgettable gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda
2 Days Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
Experience Gorilla Trekking in the beautiful Volcanoes National Park.
2 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek from Kigali
Discover Gorilla trekking in the rainforest beauty in Bwindi NP.
3 Days Uganda Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking
Embark on a journey to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trek.
3 Days Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trek in Rwanda
Combine Rwanda's gorillas, golden monkey, cultural visits, and scenic landscapes.
4 Days Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda & Culture Tour
Enjoy a beautiful gorilla trekking experience in the bamboo forest of Volcanoes Park.
5 Days Gorilla Trek in Rwanda & Uganda Big Five Safari
Explore Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking and Uganda for Big Five Safari.
7 Days Luxury Rwanda Safari & Gorilla Trek
Travel in comfort with premium lodges, private guiding, gorilla trekking, and unique experiences.
7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda
Enjoy game drives, gorilla, golden monkey and chimp trekking in Nyungwe and Volcanoes.
9 Days Rwanda Tour & Uganda Gorilla Trekking
Discover Rwanda’s culture, local communities & Uganda Gorilla Trek.
10 Days Rwanda-Uganda Primates Trekking
Take a scenic volcano hiking experience with amazing views of Rwanda’s highland landscapes.
15 Days Best of Rwanda – Primate, Culture & Wildlife Tour
A comfortable family safari with wildlife, culture, city tours, and child-friendly activities.
Activities To Do in Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe
Chimpanzee trekking is the signature activity in Nyungwe National Park and one of the main reasons travelers visit this remarkable rainforest. Every morning, experienced park guides lead visitors deep into the forest to track habituated chimpanzee communities that move freely through the trees. The excitement begins before sunrise, as trekkers venture into the jungle listening for the loud calls and movements of the chimpanzees. Once located, visitors spend an unforgettable hour watching these fascinating primates interact, feed, play, groom each other, and swing gracefully through the forest canopy. Because chimpanzees are highly active and social animals, every trek offers a unique experience that differs from the previous one. Along the journey, often encounter other mvisitors onkey species, colorful birds, and beautiful forest scenery, making chimpanzee trekking one of Rwanda’s most rewarding wildlife adventures.
The Famous Nyungwe Canopy Walkway
One of the most iconic attractions in Nyungwe National Park is the Canopy Walkway, a unique suspended bridge that stretches high above the rainforest floor. The bridge rises about seventy meters above the ground and provides visitors with breathtaking views across the endless green canopy. Walking across the bridge offers a completely different perspective of the forest ecosystem, allowing visitors to observe birds, monkeys, butterflies, and towering trees from above. The canopy walk is accessible through the popular Igishigishigi Trail and has become one of Rwanda’s most photographed attractions. The combination of adventure, spectacular scenery, and opportunities for wildlife viewing makes the canopy walkway a must-do activity for anyone visiting Nyungwe National Park.
Monkey Tracking and Primate Experiences
Beyond chimpanzees, Nyungwe National Park is famous for its incredible diversity of primates. The park protects thirteen different primate species, making it one of the best destinations in Africa for monkey tracking. Visitors frequently encounter large troops of Angola colobus monkeys, which are among the largest groups found anywhere on the continent. Their striking black-and-white coats create spectacular photographic opportunities as they leap between the trees. Other species found within the park include L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and Mona monkeys. Guided monkey tracking excursions allow visitors to learn about the behavior and ecology of these fascinating animals while exploring the dense rainforest.
Hiking Trails in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park offers some of Rwanda’s best hiking opportunities, with more than 130 kilometers of well-maintained trails winding through ancient forests, waterfalls, wetlands, and mountain ridges. Each trail offers a unique experience and introduces visitors to different habitats within the park. The Igishigishigi Trail is particularly popular because it includes the famous canopy walkway, while the Bigugu Trail climbs to one of the highest peaks in the park and rewards hikers with spectacular panoramic views. The Isumo Waterfall Trail leads visitors through tea plantations and dense rainforest to one of Nyungwe’s most beautiful waterfalls, while the Kamiranzovu Trail explores fascinating swamp ecosystems rich in birdlife and unique vegetation. Hiking in Nyungwe allows visitors to experience the rainforest at a slower pace while discovering hidden natural treasures around every corner.
Birdwatching in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park is one of Africa’s most important birdwatching destinations and attracts bird enthusiasts from around the world. The park is home to more than 320 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics that cannot easily be found elsewhere. The dense rainforest provides excellent habitats for colorful and rare species such as the Great Blue Turaco, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Handsome Francolin, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Kungwe Apalis, and Rwenzori Turaco. Guided birdwatching tours offer excellent opportunities for both experienced birders and beginners to discover the incredible avian diversity of Rwanda’s ancient rainforest. Throughout the year, different seasons bring changes in bird activity, ensuring rewarding birdwatching experiences at any time of the year.
Waterfall Hikes and Nature Walks
Nyungwe National Park is filled with hidden waterfalls, crystal-clear streams, and peaceful forest paths that create unforgettable hiking experiences. Guided nature walks take visitors through lush vegetation where giant ferns, ancient trees, orchids, and colorful butterflies thrive. The Isumo Waterfall is one of the park’s most famous natural attractions, cascading beautifully through the rainforest and creating a peaceful setting for photography and relaxation. Along these trails, guides share fascinating information about medicinal plants, forest ecology, and the importance of conserving Rwanda’s unique ecosystems. Nature walks provide a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the incredible biodiversity of Nyungwe beyond its famous primates.
Tea Plantation Tours Around Nyungwe
The rolling tea plantations surrounding Nyungwe National Park create some of Rwanda’s most picturesque landscapes. Visitors can combine their rainforest adventure with guided tea plantation tours, where they learn about tea cultivation, harvesting, processing, and traditional tea-making techniques. Walking through the endless green fields while overlooking the rainforest offers spectacular scenery and excellent photography opportunities. Guests can also meet local communities involved in tea production and enjoy tasting fresh Rwandan tea while learning about one of the country’s most important agricultural industries.
Wildlife of Nyungwe National Park
Although Nyungwe National Park is famous for its primates, the rainforest supports an extraordinary variety of wildlife. The park is home to seventy-five mammal species, thirteen primates, hundreds of butterfly species, reptiles, amphibians, and over one thousand plant species. Forest antelopes, civets, serval cats, mongooses, and many smaller mammals inhabit the dense vegetation, although they can be difficult to spot. The remarkable biodiversity of Nyungwe makes every visit unique, with opportunities to discover new wildlife around every corner. Conservation efforts have helped preserve this incredible ecosystem, making Nyungwe one of Africa’s most important protected rainforests.
Why Visit Nyungwe National Park?
Nyungwe National Park offers one of the most complete nature experiences in East Africa. Unlike traditional safari destinations that focus mainly on large mammals, Nyungwe combines chimpanzee trekking, monkey tracking, canopy walks, birdwatching, waterfall hikes, tea plantation tours, nature walks, and spectacular mountain scenery in one destination. The park’s rich biodiversity, ancient rainforest, excellent conservation efforts, and wide range of activities make it a perfect addition to any Rwanda safari itinerary. Whether you are interested in wildlife photography, adventure travel, family holidays, birdwatching, or simply exploring one of Africa’s oldest forests, Nyungwe National Park provides unforgettable experiences that showcase the incredible natural beauty of Rwanda.
What Our Clients Say
Verified
Aucun regret Nous avons passé une journée incroyable avec Félix, pick-up très tôt pour arriver a l'heure du lever du soleil a Akagera. Et franchement l'excursion a duré bien plus longtemps que ce que j'imaginais par rapport au prix. Je recommande a 200% !Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Virginie DVerified
Experience of a lifetime with fantastic operator The day began at 4:30 AM when Dodos picked us up from our hotel in Kegali, we arrived at the briefing at about 7 AM where we had a nice cup of tea and were assigned our guide and group of 8 people for the day. The hike itself was more strenuous than I expected, and unfortunately, my daughter was sick so they ended up asking the local village to provide a stretcher to carry her with a rotating group of about 9 guys. It was an extra $200 but well worth it given how challenging it was to navigate the trails. A couple of guys lead with machetes, making space for us to travel about 3 miles uphill. Seeing the gorilla was incredible, it was beyond words to experience them in their natural setting for an hour. I know there are several different operators who organize these tours but I would highly recommend Universal Ventures due to their personal attention and going above and beyond when my daughter was sick. We ended up getting back to the hotel at about 8 PM, so a very long day, but one that we will never forget.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
erg2222Verified
Perfect Rwanda tour that worked around our flight issues We had a fantastic experience in Rwanda with Dodos our guide and Emmanuel from the office! We had to deal with 2 cancelled flights and delayed baggage, and Emmanuel helped us reconfigure our itinerary so that we were still able to see the Genocide Memorial and go gorilla trekking. Dodos patiently waited for us at the airport even until 3am and helped us shop for clothes due to our baggage delay. He saved us quite a bit of money by bargaining with the locals. The arranged accommodations were very nice. Gorilla trekking is a lengthy hike but gratifying with the hour we had to hang out beside the family. Overall, Dodos and Emmanuel made Rwanda one of our most favorite countries we visited, even though our 5-day tour became 3 days. We highly recommend doing a tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
DK Travels the WorldVerified
Magical experience and lovely tour operator I would definitely recommend this experience in general and this operator specifically. They contacted me quickly to discuss arranging for the permit to see the gorillas (and extra fee paid directly to the Rwandan authorities). They also advised on how to prepare and answered my questions. On the day of, a really lovely driver picked me up from my hotel in Kigali on time in a luxurious jeep. He was friendly and encouraging as I was a bit anxious about the hiking which can be intense but my one wasn't that strenuous. It depends what the gorillas are up to and the park guides try to sort people loosely on fitness levels, I think. I hired a porter to carry my bag, and they also helped with uneven ground, which was not needed in this case but could have been very very essential if we had to walk through a steeper part of the park. The park staff then led my small group of tourists to see the gorillas, which was one of the most magical things I have experienced! The family of gorillas were very tolerant of us and we spent the full hour allotted with them (longer can stress them). After the walk back, Dodos, my driver, greeted me with a fancy drink and flip flops so I could get out of my hiking boots. We then had lunch at a restaurant o. The way back to Kigali. Overall, I felt very safe as a single female traveller and there were no unexpected costs.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Rosie HVerified
An Amazing Holidays in Rwanda and Uganda We took a wonderful 19-day trip through Rwanda and Uganda with the travel agency Universal Ventures—a trip tailored specifically to our family. We started planning the entire trip about three months in advance, and communication with the agency was excellent from the very beginning. It was a trip full of powerful experiences, beautiful nature, encounters with local people, and moments we’ll remember for a long time. The agency’s owner, Emmanuel, was very helpful, communicative, and patient from the very beginning, and he always helped us choose the best options for activities and accommodations based on what was most suitable for our family. The agency arranged a car with a driver and guide for us, as well as some of the activity bookings during the trip. We visited Akagera, Volcanoes, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Nyungwe National Parks, as well as Lake Kivu. Our driver (guide) was John Bosco, whom we can highly recommend. He was not only a great driver but also an excellent guide, thanks to whom we experienced the trip much more intensely. He has a vast knowledge of the local flora and fauna, and his knowledge of local birds was truly impressive. We were equally fascinated by his excellent knowledge of the local area—he was able to drive to any location or hotel without using a map or a GPS on his phone. We also greatly appreciated his punctuality: the car was always ready even before the agreed-upon time. The car remained tidy and clean throughout the entire trip, even after driving on dusty roads. John also provided us with valuable information about the duration of each leg of the journey, helped us plan our itinerary better, and thanks to him, we felt safe and well taken care of the entire time. The agreement with the agency was clear and easy to understand. We had the option to choose from several pricing options, and the one we selected was the final price—we weren’t charged any additional fees. The deposit we paid to Universal Ventures in advance was properly accounted for. Any minor issues that arose during our long trip were quickly resolved. We definitely recommend booking a car with a driver for a vacation in Rwanda and Uganda: finding your way around isn’t always easy, the quality of the roads is often very poor—especially in Uganda—and it’s also better to cross the Rwanda/Uganda land border with someone who knows the local conditions. In addition, the driver can help you organize visits to local cultural centers, which will allow you to get to know the country much better. This vacation was unforgettable for us, and we feel that it was thanks to Emmanuel, John Bosco, and the entire Universal Ventures agency that we were able to experience Rwanda and Uganda in such a beautiful, safe, and in-depth way. Thank you so much for the excellent organization, care, and all the experiences that will stay with us for a long time to come. We can wholeheartedly and with great pleasure recommend this agency for a trip through Rwanda and Uganda.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Lenka NVerified
Amazing time seeing Gorillas We had the best time with Mupenzi and Dodos! They made the whole trip unforgettable! There is nothing like seeing Gorillas up close in the wild!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Joel SVerified
Majestic Experience Today was such an amazing day of adventure! Volcanoes National Park is an amazing and ethical way to see these beautiful creatures. Our trekking guide Mupenzi was so kind, fun, and knowledgeable. And our driver, Dodos was phenomenal. He is such a lovely person and incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Sami MVerified
Absolutely breathtaking experience! My experience was seamless from the coordination of my pick up and drop off, to the actual excursion! Hands down one of the best experiences of my life! Christian was extremely helpful and welcoming throughout our entire trip, it would not have been the same without him. Seeing the gorillas after the trekking through the thick brush, was absolutely breathtaking! I will definitely be recommending this trip to all my friends and family!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Greg VVerified
100% recommended I was originally in Tanzania for a safari but decided to add the gorilla trek at the end of my trip because the flight was too long to fly to Africa from California again at my age. I booked through Viator. From the beginning, communication with Universal Adventures was positive. They were prompt to answer any questions. And a few days before the excursion, they sent me my driver's name and WhatsApp number. His name is Christian.We communicated through WhatsApp, and he was very prompt to reply back. He was early to pick me up at 4:30am. I had another person in the car. The car was clean. Its a long drive to the meeting place. We stopped for breakfast pastries at a local shop( they take credit cards and had a clean breakfast. We then drove to the meeting place where we met up with our group. There they had hot drinks like coffees, lattes, teas, etc. We then had to drive to the beginning of the mountain. It was a long drive as the roads are not paved. My group was assigned the Isimbi gorilla family and our guide was Jolie. My porter was Adolf. I was the least active one in the group but the crew never made me feel bad. After what I thought was a 4 hr hike (it was really 1 hr and 26 minutes) we found our gorilla family. We had plenty of time to take pictures with them. After we were done, Christian took us to a rooftop restaurant. The food was delicious! I recommend this excursion 100%. The company is awesome and very professional.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
patty eVerified
Gorilla Experience in Rwanda! Easy ride, the trip was one in a life time experience. The driver (Christian) was very nice and kind and made the trip smooth! Everything was great.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Juliet K
