Where to stay in Nyungwe National Park
1 hand-picked glamping stay in and around the park.
Nyungwe National Park guide
Overview
Nyungwe National Park protects about 1,019 km² of montane rainforest in south-west Rwanda, one of the oldest and best-preserved forests of its kind in Africa. It became a national park in 2004, and in 2023 UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List. Since 2020, it has been managed by African Parks together with the Rwanda Development Board.
The forest covers steep ridges and valleys between about 1,600 and 2,950 metres and is a major water catchment, feeding both the Nile and the Congo river systems. Its biodiversity is remarkable: 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, and hundreds of birds, butterflies and orchids.
Activities centre on the forest. You can track habituated chimpanzees in the early morning, visit huge troops of Rwenzori black-and-white colobus, walk the canopy walkway suspended high above a forested valley, and follow a network of hiking trails to waterfalls and viewpoints. There are also tea plantations around the park’s edge.
Nyungwe combines well with Volcanoes National Park for gorillas and Lake Kivu. Accommodation ranges from guesthouses near the park to luxury forest lodges.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Primates
Chimpanzees are the main draw, and habituated groups can be tracked. The park also has very large troops of Rwenzori black-and-white colobus, as well as L’Hoest’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey and olive baboon.
Other mammals
Mammals are hard to see in thick forest, but serval, golden cat, side-striped jackal, duikers and several squirrels live here.
Birds
Around 300 bird species have been recorded, including many Albertine Rift endemics, such as the Rwenzori turaco and the red-collared mountain babbler, which makes Nyungwe one of East Africa’s top birding sites.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: June to August and December to February, the drier months, for easier trails and chimpanzee tracking.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | Short dry season | Fewer showers and good tracking conditions. |
| Mar – May | Long rains | Very wet, with slippery trails. Fewer visitors. |
| Jun – Aug | Main dry season | The most popular months, with the best conditions for hiking. |
| Sep – Nov | Short rains | Frequent showers, a lush forest and good birding. |
It can rain on any day in Nyungwe, and mornings are cool at altitude, so bring a rain jacket and warm layers.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kigali International (KGL) | International arrivals | About 5 to 6 hours by road. |
| Kamembe (KME) | Domestic flights | RwandAir flights from Kigali land near Rusizi, about an hour from the western side of the park. |
By road
From Kigali, drive south to Huye, then west to the park on the tarred road that crosses the forest towards Rusizi and Lake Kivu. Allow a full day, or break the journey at Huye or Nyanza.
Entrance & Fees
Park entry in Nyungwe is priced by length of stay and includes the park's guided activities in the base fee. Chimpanzee tracking and some other activities may be charged separately.
| Visitor | 1 night | 2 nights | 3 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| International adult | US$100 | US$150 | US$200 |
| International child (6–12) | US$50 | US$75 | US$100 |
| African citizen or EAC resident | US$60 | US$90 | US$120 |
| Rwandan or EAC citizen | Rwf 10,000 | Rwf 15,000 | Rwf 20,000 |
Nights four to seven are free. Children aged five and under enter free.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the Nyungwe National Park website (2025/26 fees).
