Nyungwe, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, is incredibly gorgeous and home to a wide variety of species. The mountainous area is teeming with fauna, including 12 different primate species, including the L’Hoest’s monkey, which is exclusive to the Albertine Rift, as well as a tiny colony of chimpanzees.

Visitors can opt to experience the forest’s joys or indulge themselves for a week or longer in one of Africa’s most beautiful woods thanks to the 15 trails, some of which are described below.

Most visitors come for the primate tracking, but if you have time to relax and take in the primordial ambiance, it’s worth staying a bit longer.

The 1,068 plant species and 140 orchid species will wow botanists. With 322 bird species, including the Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species, it offers some of the best birdwatching in all of Africa. There are at least 120 species of butterflies, which are also frequently seen.

The serval cat, mongoose, congo clawless otter, and leopard are just a handful of the 75 recognized mammals in Nyungwe. Since many tend to be shy, sightings are random.

Walking up to the Izumo waterfall or over the Canopy Walk suspension bridge are both memorable and picturesque experiences. Along with a habituated colony of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys at Gisakura and forest edge birds, tea plantations ring the park’s perimeter.

Nyungwe, which receives a lot of rain, is also Rwanda’s main catchment area and provides water to 70% of the nation.

The drainage systems of the Nile and the Congo are separated by a ridge that cuts across the forest. The Nile, the longest river in the world, is claimed to have its most remote source at a spring on the slopes of Mount Bigugu.