Rwanda is home to four national parks, including Nyungwe National Park, which spans 101,900 hectares and is one of Africa’s largest and oldest Afro-montane forests. Situated in the southwest, Nyungwe is a biodiversity hotspot and vital for Rwanda’s socio-economic development, supplying a higher percentage of the country’s freshwater and serving as a critical natural asset.
Rwanda’s largest tropical rainforest, a biodiversity hotspot, became the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage site on September 19, 2023, during the 45th World Heritage Committee session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Nyungwe National Park is a must-visit destination, offering diverse activities for adventurers, conservationists, and those seeking tranquility in nature.
Here are 10 reasons to visit Nyungwe National Park:
1. Biodiversity and endemism
One of Nyungwe’s greatest attractions is its extraordinary biodiversity, and endemism of plants, birds, and mammals.
According to the park management, the 13 primate species that live here are impressive, comprising some 12 per cent of all African mainland primate species, including rare species like Hamlyn’s (Owl-faced monkey), found in the bamboo forests of the southern part of the park, and L’Hoest’s monkey (Mountain monkey).
A single community of 500 Rwenzori colobus has been observed, the largest ever recorded of any primate on the continent.
Nyungwe hosts over 1,068 plant species, including hardwood trees, flowers, and other vegetation. It is home to more than 322 bird species, with 30 species being endemic in the Albertine Rift region. This makes Nyungwe a must-visit destination for bird lovers, offering more rare species than any other place in the region.
In terms of mammals, Nyungwe has over 30 species, representing 12 percent of Africa’s mammal population. It is also home to 32 amphibian species and 38 reptile species. The park’s unique flora and fauna contribute to its high level of endemism, attracting scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.
2. ‘Furthest’ source of the river Nile
The debate over the true source of the Nile began in the late 1850s, when British explorers like John Hanning Speke sought to discover it, risking their reputations, fortunes, and health. In 1864, American journalist Henry Stanley, who found the missing British explorer David Livingstone in 1871, circumnavigated Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, helping to map much of the area and answer key questions.
After spending four years in Rwanda from 1898 to 1902, Richard Kandt, a physician and explorer, returned to Germany in 1902. He was reportedly given a hero’s welcome for solving the mystery of the source of the River Nile, a task that had eluded many other European explorers.
In 1904, he published his book Caput Nili and later presented his exploration and scientific work in Rwanda to German officials at the State Department.
However, not all experts were convinced by these findings. In 2006, British explorer Neil McGrigor, along with New Zealanders Cam McLeay and Garth MacIntyre, claimed to be the first to travel the Nile from its mouth to what they believed was its "true source” in Rwanda’s Nyungwe rainforest. Their expedition was called "Ascend the Nile”.
3. Home to over 500 Angolan black and white Colobus monkeys
It is the only place where Colobus monkeys have been observed forming unusually large groups, or "supergroups”, with over 500 individuals. These monkeys are commonly found in a home range around the Uwinka Visitor Center, in the middle of the park. This makes Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park the best destination in the world to see Colobus monkeys.
4. The park feeds two world big rivers; the Congo and the Nile
The Congo-Nile Divide extends from northwest Rwanda to southern Burundi. Rivers flowing westward become tributaries of the Congo River, while those flowing eastward feed into Lake Victoria and the Nile River. Along this mountain range, several forest reserves and national parks are located, including Nyungwe National Park (with Cyamudongo Forest), Kibira National Park in Burundi, Gishwati Forest Reserve, and Mukura Forest Reserve in Rwanda.
You can also enjoy a 109 km hike along the divide from north to south of the park, by visiting the source of the Nile and enjoying the park&039;s biodiversity while staying longer in the park.
5. One of the oldest tropical rainforests
The forest is home to large trees that take a long time to grow. It is a primary forest, mainly untouched and unaffected by human activity. Although the Ice Age impacted many areas, causing some species to disappear, Nyungwe remained intact. Its trees are indigenous and have existed for thousands of years. Having escaped the last ice age thousands of years ago, the Nyungwe forest is a hotbed of biodiversity.
Some of the tree species found in Nyungwe include Prunus Africana, Cyathea Manniana, Carapa, Newtonia, orchids, mosses, ferns, and Podocarpus, among others.
6. A water tower
As one of Africa’s oldest tropical rainforests, this Ice Age survivor has its ancient trees forming a water tower that supports the entire country of Rwanda. This area is not only a sanctuary for many species but also provides a higher percentage of the water used in Rwanda, earning it the moniker ‘Water Tank of Rwanda’.
Nyungwe is a water tower for Rwanda and the region, one of the top ecosystem services benefiting the community adjacent to the park on crops and water supply, tea companies on water supply, and tea growing.
7. Canopy walkway at Uwinka visitor centre
Nyungwe National Park offers a range of activities for adventure seekers. Visitors can take part in the 160-metre-long canopy walkway 70 metres high, the only one of its kind in East and Central Africa. Suspended above the forest near Uwinka, it provides breathtaking views of the dense treetops and the biodiversity below.
8. Stunning waterfalls, multi-day hikes, campsites and more
For hiking enthusiasts, the park offers trails like the Cyinzobe three-day hike from Uwinka to Gisakura and the Congo Nile Divide Trail, each showcasing the park’s natural beauty and leading to scenic campsites.
Explore the park’s waterfalls, including Kamiranzovu. The 5.3 km trail begins at Gisakura, descending to One & Only Nyungwe House while traversing the forest&039;s lushest areas. Additionally, the Ndambarare trail offers a 7.5 km round-trip experience from Gisakura through tea plantations and the forest, featuring moderate hiking and leading to a beautiful waterfall.
Additionally, birdwatching in the park offers tranquillity, and a new zipline attraction will soon be introduced, connecting directly from the Uwinka to the canopy walk as well as the rope course at Gisakura forest.
A newly constructed Munazi Lodge with 20 beds will be completed in December 2024 and will add to the range of experiences available. This variety makes Nyungwe a must-visit destination for all travellers.
9. Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Visitors can observe over 45 chimpanzees foraging in the treetops of Cyamudongo, a small fragmented forest, and many more in Mayebe in the middle of the park. Tourists can also act as trackers and witness the chimps nesting and de-nesting, providing a meaningful connection to one of humanity’s closest relatives in Gisovu, the northern part of the park as a new experience to travelers.
10. UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 2023, Nyungwe National Park earned the distinction of becoming Rwanda’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was a recognition of the park’s outstanding biodiversity, ecological importance, and sustainable management efforts. Nyungwe’s protected status ensures that future generations will continue to experience its wonders while preserving its delicate ecosystems.
ALSO READ: How Rwanda will benefit from Nyungwe forest’s UNESCO World Heritage status
In total, 3,118 guests (both paying and non-paying) visited the park, according to the August report. Of these, 23 per cent were Rwandan citizens, 4 per cent were East African citizens, 1 per cent were East African residents, 2 per cent were African citizens (excluding East Africans), 5 per cent were foreign residents in Rwanda, and the remaining 65 per cent were foreign non-resident visitors.
Among 3804 paid activities; park entry fees, chimpanzee tracking, canopy walkway, and food and beverages were the best contributors to park revenues over the first eight months of 2024.
Following a successful 10-year partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) that saw the ecological and economic revival of Akagera National Park, African Parks was invited by the government to sign a 20-year agreement to manage Nyungwe National Park in 2020.