We visited Nyungwe National Park on a day trip from Kamembe, but in retrospect, we really should have stayed longer. The forest is absolutely stunning – said to be one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and a true hotspot for biodiversity. It was the most beautiful forest we saw on our trip, with ancient, moss-covered trees, steep and rugged terrain, and several viewpoints overlooking the “broccoli-topped” hills and valleys.

The park is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, including 13 different primate species. We only saw two – the Colobus and the L’Hoest’s monkeys – but even that was a treat.

This is definitely a park for those who enjoy being active. There are many things to do, such as chimpanzee and Colobus trekking. We didn’t try any of these since we had already done chimp trekking earlier on our trip. However, we met people who had, and while they described a long trek before finding the chimps, many said the Colobus trekking was very rewarding. You can also join a night walk. The ranger told us, that they are introducing gorillas in the park and that they will offer gorilla trekking in a few years.

There is an impressive network of trails – around 130 km in total – offering hikes of different lengths and difficulty levels. Keep in mind that the park lies between 1,600 and 2,900 meters above sea level, with the Visitor Center located at around 2,400 m.

From the Uwinka Visitor Center, they’ve built both a canopy walkway and one of the longest ziplines in Africa. Randi tried the zipline, which actually turned out to be three in a row – the last one over a kilometer long! The feeling of flying above the treetops was absolutely amazing, and the views… unforgettable. Afterward, there’s a short but steep hike back to the Visitor Center (about 1.2 km with 150 meters elevation gain). At the Visitor Center, you’ll also find an official UNESCO World Heritage plaque, similar to those at the genocide memorial sites.

Like other parks in Rwanda, the entrance fee is quite steep at $100 if you take part in any activities such as using the trail system or the canopy walk. The permit is valid for the duration of your stay, so you get much better value if you spend several days in the park. It’s technically possible to drive through the park and even the core zone without paying, but the best way to truly experience this forest is definitely on foot.

We had lunch at Munazi Eco Lodge, tucked inside the forest with a beautiful view. The lodge is built using reclaimed exotic wood from the park, helping native vegetation to regenerate and supporting the local environment. It almost felt like a log cabin in Norway – but in the middle of the Rwandan rainforest! It looked like a great place to stay, and we really wish we’d had more time here In the park.

To sum up: plan for more than one day and don’t forget your hiking boots and raincoat – this is a rainforest, after all.

We had a car and driver to get there. The park is huge, so is convenient to have a car or organize a transport via the hotell/lodge if you are staying in the national park.