Nyungwe is Rwanda’s newest national park, established in 2004, and is one of the largest mountainous rainforests on the continent.
The 378 square miles of lush emerald jungle here are home to astonishing biodiversity, and one of the most endemic species-rich areas in all of Africa. This makes it a Shangri-La for wildlife lovers, offering a unique opportunity to spot chimpanzees as well as one of the rarest primates in Africa, the Rwenzori black-and-white colobus monkey. Hike through the jungle to spot these beautiful creatures in the treetops or follow other trails that lead to cascading waterfalls where you can refresh yourself with a dip under the rainforest canopy.
The best time to visit Nyungwe National Park
Exploring the lush, tangled rainforest is best experienced when the weather is dry to minimize mud and slippery trails. So, much like Volcanoes National Park, we recommend visiting during the dry season from June to September. March to May is the rainy season, when most of the country sees steady, heavier rain, at least in the afternoons, and trying to reach the chimpanzees or trek to a waterfall will be trickier. Year-round you can expect some mist and light cloud cover in Nyungwe National Park, but this only adds to the mystical feeling of the rainforest.
Best
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
June - September
Good
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
January - December