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Nyungwe Forest

Africa's oldest montane rainforest

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Nyungwe Forest Plan a trip around Rwanda

Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: Rwanda

Photo: Brian Harries, CC BY 2.0

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a UNESCO-listed montane rainforest in southwestern Rwanda, home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees and huge colobus troops, plus over 300 bird species. Visitors come for guided primate tracking, canopy walks and forest hikes in one of Africa's best-preserved rainforests.

Largest cities

Kigali
Gisenyi
Butare
Musanze
Rwamagana

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Rwanda
Capital: Kigali
Region population: 1,019
Population of Rwanda: 14.6M
Country area: 26,338 km²
Official language: Kinyarwanda, Swahili, English, and French
Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF) · 1 USD ≈ 1,476 RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +250
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 2,462 m
Plugs: C / J · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 113 · 114
Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	18°	18°	18°	18°	18°	18°	18°	19°	19°	19°	18°	18°
Low	10°	10°	10°	10°	10°	9°	9°	9°	10°	10°	10°	10°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$55
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$170
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$455

Plan a trip to Nyungwe Forest

Top things to do

≈ $90
Chimpanzee Tracking
Guided early-morning trek to find one of the park's habituated chimpanzee groups; leeches and mud are common, so wear long trousers and boots.
- Half day
- Uwinka (main entrance and visitor centre)
≈ $60
Canopy Walkway
A suspended bridge through the treetops gives views over the forest canopy and a chance to spot birds and monkeys; it can be booked as a short walk from the Uwinka area.
- Half day
- Uwinka (main entrance and visitor centre)
- Good for kids
≈ $70
Colobus Monkey Trek
Walk to see the Ruwenzori colobus supergroups, which can number over 350 individuals; sightings are usually reliable and the walk is less strenuous than chimpanzee tracking.
- Half day
- Uwinka (main entrance and visitor centre)
- Good for kids
≈ $50
Birdwatching Walk
Nyungwe is an Important Bird Area with many Albertine Rift endemics; a guide helps find species such as turacos and sunbirds along forest trails.
- Half day
- Uwinka (main entrance and visitor centre)
- Good for kids
≈ $40
Kamiranzovu Swamp Trail
A gentler trail through forest to a large swamp, good for orchids, birds and quiet walking; expect wet ground even outside the rainy season.
- Half day
- Uwinka (main entrance and visitor centre)
- Good for kids
≈ $40
Waterfall Trail
A forest hike to a waterfall with chances to see monkeys and birds along the way; the return climb is steep in places.
- Half day
- Kitabi sector
- Good for kids
≈ $60
Mount Bigugu Hike
A full-day climb to the park's highest point at 2,921 m for wide forest and ridge views; it is strenuous and best in the drier months.
- Full day
- Mount Bigugu area
≈ $30
Lake Kivu Day Trip
Combine forest time with the Lake Kivu shore near Cyangugu for boat trips, fishing villages and sunset views; arrange transport in advance as public options are limited.
- Full day
- Lake Kivu shore
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa for Rwanda; citizens of Commonwealth countries and many other nationalities can get a free 30-day visa on arrival, while others can apply online for an e-visa before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival and have one blank page, and a yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with transmission risk. Check the latest rules on Rwanda's official immigration website before you travel.

Official website

From the airport

Most visitors arrive by road from Kigali (about 5–6 hours) or from Kamembe/Cyangugu (about 1.5 hours); the main entrance is at Uwinka on the Cyangugu–Huye road, with regular buses along the route. Kamembe Airport near Cyangugu is the closest airstrip, roughly 1.5 hours from the park.

Getting around

There is no public transport inside the park; visitors move between trailheads and lodges by private vehicle, tour operator transfer or arranged park shuttle.

Local tips

Bring rain gear and sturdy waterproof boots; trails are muddy and it rains often, especially December to March.
Nights are cool at this altitude (around 9–10°C), so pack warm layers for mornings and evenings.
Book chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk permits in advance through the official park channels, as group sizes are limited.
Carry cash (Rwandan francs) for tips and small purchases; card acceptance is limited outside main lodges.

Areas worth knowing

Mount Bigugu area
Kitabi sector
Uwinka (main entrance and visitor centre)
Lake Kivu shore
Kamembe / Cyangugu

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK