Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Nyungwe National Park covers nearly 1,000 square kilometers of pristine montane rainforest in the Albertine Rift region of southwestern Rwanda. As one of Africa’s oldest forests, it supports one of the continent’s richest ecosystems, home to over 1,000 plant species, 300 bird species, and a diversity of mammals including 13 species of primates. Notably, Nyungwe is one of the best places to see chimpanzees and other primates like colobus monkeys and baboons in their natural habitat. The park’s terrain varies from lush forested hills and valleys to rivers and waterfalls, with elevations ranging between 1,600 and 2,950 meters. History highlights include the park's role in biodiversity conservation since its designation as a national park in 2004 and its importance as a watershed between the Congo and Nile basins.
Visitors are attracted by a network of well-maintained trails, including canopy walkways that provide a unique vantage point above the tree tops. Hiking ranges from short walks to multi-day treks, with guided chimpanzee tracking as a highlight. Nyungwe also offers birdwatching, cultural encounters with nearby communities, and photography opportunities in its misty forest environment. The park’s combination of accessible wilderness, rich wildlife, and scenic landscapes makes it a premier destination for ecological tourism in East Africa.
