Nyungwe National Park is the famous home for chimpanzees together with other 11 primate species in Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa with a rich biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful.

The park is dominated by 12 primate species including chimpanzees, Ververt monkeys, Mona Monkeys, Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey among others. Primate tracking tops most visitor’s list, but it’s worth lingering a little longer for those with time to relax and take in the primal atmosphere.

Botanists will marvel at the 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids. The birdwatching is among the best in Africa with about 322 bird species including Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species. Butterflies are also a common sight, with at least 120 species. Nyungwe National Park protects about 75 known mammals in Nyungwe, such as the cerval cat, mongoose, congo clawless otter and leopard to name but a few. Many tend to be shy so sightings are luck of the draw.

Memorable and photogenic moments include walking up to the Isumo waterfall, canopy walk to see birds up close among other attractions. Tea plantations border the edges of the park, with a habituated troop of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys at Gisakura as well as forest fringe birds.