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June – September & December – February (Drier months for easier trekking)
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Forest Lodges / Luxury Tea Estate Resorts / Guesthouses
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4x4 Land Cruiser (Essential for the winding, mountainous roads)
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Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Professional English-speaking Guide & KWS/RDB Rangers
Nyungwe Forest is not just a park; it is a step back in time. Believed to be one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, it survived the last Ice Age, preserving a biodiversity hotspot that leaves visitors breathless. At Maudie Safaris, we describe Nyungwe as the “Lungs of Rwanda.” The moment you enter the park, the air changes, it becomes crisp, cool, and filled with the sounds of the jungle.
This mountainous rainforest is home to 13 species of primates, representing 25% of Africa’s total primate diversity. While the Chimpanzees are the headline act, the forest itself is the star. We specialize in “slow safaris” here because the terrain demands it; this is a destination for those who want to walk the earth, breathe in the mist, and earn their sightings. Surrounded by perfectly manicured tea plantations that roll like green waves against the dark forest edge, Nyungwe offers a visual contrast that is unique to the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Highlights
- Chimpanzee Trekking: Dash through the dense undergrowth to locate our closest relatives. Hearing the "pant-hoot" call of a chimp echo through the valley is an unforgettable sound.
- The Canopy Walkway: Walk across a suspension bridge 70 meters above the forest floor. This offers a bird’s eye view of the canopy and is the only walk of its kind in East Africa.
- Colobus Monkeys: Track the Rwenzori Black and White Colobus monkeys, often found in "super-troops" of up to 300 individuals.
- Albertine Rift Birding: A paradise for birders with over 300 species, including the elusive Rwenzori Turaco and the Blue-headed Sunbird.
- Isumo Waterfall: A beautiful hike leading to a thunderous waterfall amidst giant ferns.
- Gisakura Tea Plantation: A cultural and scenic tour of the tea fields that border the park.