Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda is one of the oldest and most biodiverse montane rainforests in Africa. The 1,019-square-kilometre park protects a continuous Afromontane forest at elevations between 1,600 and 2,950 metres — a forest that has persisted since before the last Ice Age and contains more than 300 tree species, 1,068 plant species, 310 bird species, and 13 primate species including chimpanzee and the largest known troop of Angola colobus monkey in the world (estimated 400 individuals in a single troop). For self-drive visitors approaching from Kigali via the RN1 highway, Nyungwe is 230km southwest — a 3.5-hour drive that ends with one of the most dramatic park approach roads in Africa: the RN1 passes directly through the forest for 50km, with ancient trees on both sides and views into the valley system that fall away from the 2,400-metre ridge road.
Getting There: Kigali to Nyungwe (230km, 3.5 to 4 Hours)
From Kigali, take the RN1 highway south through Nyamata and Gitarama to Huye (formerly Butare, 135km, 2 hours). Huye is the last major service centre before Nyungwe — fill fuel at the TotalEnergies or Rubis station on the main road. The National University of Rwanda is in Huye, making it a busy mid-size town with good supermarket shopping. From Huye, continue southwest on the RN1 toward Cyangugu. The road climbs into the forest at Uwinka after approximately 90km from Huye — the Uwinka visitor centre and the canopy walkway start point are at the highest point of the road through the forest (2,400m elevation). Gisakura (entry gate area, tea plantation accommodation) is 5km further southwest from Uwinka toward Lake Kivu.
Activities and Fees (2027/2028)
- Park entry: USD 40 per person per day
- Chimpanzee tracking permit: USD 90 per person per trek
- Colobus monkey trail (Cyamudongo area, guided walk): USD 40 per person
- Canopy walkway: approximately USD 20 to 30 per person
- Bird walks (guided): approximately USD 30 to 50 per walk depending on trail
- All activities booked at the Uwinka visitor centre on arrival or in advance through RDB
Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe
The Cyamudongo chimpanzee community — based in the Cyamudongo forest patch southwest of the main Nyungwe block — is the primary habituated chimp group for trekking. Cyamudongo is a 5km drive from the main forest and the chimp trek starts from the Cyamudongo trailhead. Briefing at 5:30am, trek typically completed by 9am (the habituated community is usually found within 1 to 2 hours). The Nyungwe chimps inhabit dense montane forest with very different vegetation from the Uganda chimp sites — the forest is darker and more complex, making photography more challenging but the experience more intimate. USD 90 per person is excellent value for a habituated chimp encounter compared to Kibale’s USD 200 rate, though the habituated community is smaller and the forest environment is different.
The Canopy Walkway
The Nyungwe canopy walkway is a 200-metre suspension bridge at 50 metres above the forest floor — one of only two such walkways in East Africa (the other is at Kakamega Forest in Kenya). The walkway hangs in the mid-canopy zone between the forest understory and the upper tree crowns. Access is by a 45-minute forest trail from the Uwinka visitor centre. The walkway itself is reached at the top of this trail. Once on the walkway, the view is into the forest interior at eye level with the upper branches — Angola colobus, red-tailed monkey, and various forest birds are visible from this vantage point. The walkway sways gently in wind — it is safe and well-maintained but individuals with acute fear of heights should assess their comfort level before booking.
The Angola Colobus Monkey Troop
The approximately 400-individual Angola colobus troop at Nyungwe is the largest primate grouping of any single species in a single troop in the world. Seeing 400 black-and-white colobus monkeys moving through the forest canopy simultaneously — a cloud of white fur in the branches, the air filled with their territorial calls — is one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences and one that is completely free from the gorilla permit cost pressure. The colobus troop is not individually habituated but the troop’s large size makes them consistently visible on the Uwinka-area forest trails. Early morning (6am to 9am) is the most productive viewing window before the troop disperses across the forest for afternoon feeding.
Accommodation
- Nyungwe Forest Lodge (luxury, USD 300 to 500 per person): 5-star lodge in the tea estates adjacent to the forest — infinity pool with forest view, the most complete Nyungwe experience
- Gisakura Tea Estate Guesthouse (budget-mid, USD 40 to 80 per person): Colonial-era tea estate guesthouse with basic but atmospheric rooms directly at the park boundary — often used by birders for the dawn forest walks
- One&Only Nyungwe House (luxury, USD 450 to 700 per person): Premium experience in the tea plantation zone
