What do you know about the history of Nyungwe Forest National Park? If nothing, then delve into this blog to discover all the interesting things worth knowing about the park’s ancient background.

Nyungwe National Pak isn’t just old — it’s ancient. Tucked into Rwanda’s southwest corner, this forest has been growing for thousands of years.

It only became an official national park in 2004, but people have known it was special long before that.

At 1,019 square kilometers, it’s one of the biggest montane rainforests left in Africa.

You’ll find it near Lake Kivu, right where Rwanda meets Burundi and the DRC. And it’s alive. We’re talking 1,068+ plant species, 310 types of birds, and 13 different primates — that’s more than half of all the primate species in Africa.

Chimpanzees, huge troops of colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys… they’ve been here longer than any border.

Nyungwe’s history isn’t tidy. It’s been through colonial rule, war, and years when protecting it felt impossible.

But the forest held on. Today it’s a comeback story — proof of what happens when a place and its people get a second chance.

Below is the detailed breakdown of the history of Nyungwe Forest National Park!

Colonial Era to Independence (1903–1962) 

1903: Nyungwe’s story as a protected area starts here. The German colonial government called it a forest reserve. The Belgians made it official in 1933. On paper, that meant no clearing. In reality, enforcement was pretty loose.

People nearby still cut timber and gathered firewood to get by — so the pressure on the forest never really stopped.

1933: The Belgians doubled down on the reserve status, but hunting and small farms kept nibbling at the edges. Bit by bit, the forest cover shrank.

Mid-1900s: This is when things got rough. Poaching, fires, and heavy woodcutting took a real toll — not just in Nyungwe, but in Gishwati and the Virungas too.

Both lost about half their forest in those decades. Nyungwe National Park lost its last buffalo in 1974. The elephants disappeared around the same time. It was a hard stretch for the forest.

Post-Independence and Instability (1962–1994) 

1960s–1970s: After Rwanda’s independence in 1962, the Ministry of Agriculture managed Nyungwe, but lacked resources to curb poaching and deforestation.

The forest lost over 150 km² between 1958 and 1973 due to fires, woodcutting (logging), and agriculture. Elephants still roamed in the hundreds in 1969, but the last one was killed by poachers in 1999.

1980s: Conservation efforts gained momentum with the establishment of research and tourist facilities at Uwinka.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in collaboration with the Rwandan government, launched the Projet de Conservation de la Forêt de Nyungwe (PCFN) in 1985.

They introduced buffer zones with eucalyptus to reduce firewood harvesting and began habituating primates, such as colobus monkeys, for tourism.

A trail system was developed in 1987, and biodiversity surveys done by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with RDB discovered colobus in groups of up to 400 individuals—an unheard-of occurrence.

1994: The Rwandan genocide devastated Nyungwe Forest National Park, destroying research and tourist facilities.

Senior staff fled, but younger staff members remained to protect the park amidst chaos, showcasing their dedication to its preservation.

Rebuilding and Modern Era (1995–Present) 

1995: After the genocide, Rwanda started picking up the pieces — and that included Nyungwe. Work began to rebuild park infrastructure, though things were still shaky.

Security wasn’t a given, and just keeping the forest standing was a challenge.

2004–2005: This is when Nyungwe finally became a full national park. It joined Volcanoes and Akagera as Rwanda’s third park.

The point was bigger than gorillas: Rwanda wanted to show visitors there was more to the country, and Nyungwe’s wildlife — the chimps, colobus, rare birds — deserved protection too.

2010: Things really started to shift with the Nyungwe Nziza project — “Beautiful Nyungwe.” USAID backed it, and it pushed ecotourism forward.

That’s when the canopy walk opened. First of its kind in East Africa, 50 meters up in the trees.

Suddenly, people from all over were coming for the view alone. The Wildlife Conservation Society also kicked off education programs that year, getting nearby communities involved instead of keeping them out.

2020: The Rwanda Development Board teamed up with African Parks on a 20-year deal to manage Nyungwe.

That partnership brought more resources, better protection, and a real focus on making tourism work for both the forest and the people around it.

Today: Nyungwe’s in a good place. It’s a top ecotourism spot, and it pumps about $4.8 billion into Rwanda’s economy every year.

Hikers hit the trails, visitors line up for the canopy walk, and chimp tracking has become a bucket-list thing.

In 2023, UNESCO made it a World Heritage Site — which just confirmed what Rwandans already knew: this forest matters, globally.

For more information on the history and Past of Nyungwe Forest National Park, contact our African safari experts!

Additional Information about Nyungwe Forest National Park 

Nyungwe Forest National Park Attractions 

Nyungwe Forest is the kind of place that makes you stop and stare. It’s one of Africa’s oldest afro-montane rainforests, and when you’re in it, you feel that age. It’s thick, green, and loud with life.

The numbers are wild: over 1,068 plant species. That includes 200 kinds of trees — mahogany giants among them — and 248 orchids hiding in the moss.

Birders lose their minds here. 310 species, with a bunch of Albertine Rift endemics you won’t see anywhere else. Rwenzori turaco, great blue turaco, green pigeons, red-faced woodland warbler, mountain masked apalis, regal sunbird, Rockefeller’s sunbird, paradise flycatcher, Ross’s turaco — if you like birds, bring spare batteries for your camera.

Then there are the primates: 13 species. Chimps, obviously. But also huge troops of Rwenzori colobus — sometimes 200+ moving through the trees like a black-and-white river. L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, owl-faced monkeys. They don’t pose, but when you catch them playing or grooming, it sticks with you.

It’s not just the big stuff. 120 butterfly species, 85 types of mammals. If you’re really lucky, you’ll spot a golden cat or a duiker slipping through the undergrowth.

The swamps, bogs, and bamboo thickets aren’t just scenery — this forest feeds both the Nile and the Congo rivers.

Safari Activities Done in Nyungwe Forest National Park 

1) Chimpanzee Trekking

This is the main event for most people. Two habituated groups, one near Uwinka, one in Cyamudongo. You’re up before 5 AM, hiking 2–6 hours on muddy, steep trails.

Watching chimps groom each other, moms with babies, juveniles roughhousing — it’s raw and close. Permits are $100 through RDB. You need to be 15+.

2) Canopy Walk

The Igishigishigi trail gets you to East Africa’s first canopy walkway. 160 meters of metal bridge, 60–70 meters up. It sways a little. Don’t look down if you hate heights.

Do look out — you’ll see colobus monkeys at eye level, white-headed wood hoopoes flashing by, and the whole forest spread out below.

Takes about 2 hours. $40 for international visitors, $20 for residents. Kids 6+ can go.

3) Birding

With 300+ species and forest endemics like the red-faced woodland warbler, gigantic forest hornbill, and mountain masked apalis, Nyungwe is a birding trip on its own. Bring good binoculars.

Even if you’re not a birder, you’ll start pointing — the regal sunbird and red-breasted sparrow hawk tend to do that to people.

4) Hiking

130 km of trails, from easy to challenging. Umuyove is a good intro. Bigugu is a slog to the park’s highest point. The Igishigishigi trail with the canopy walk takes 1–2 hours.

Others can eat up most of your day. You’ll run into monkeys, butterflies, weird plants, and that deep-forest quiet you don’t get many places anymore.

5) Other Primate Trekking

Chimps get the hype, but don’t skip the rest. Owl-faced monkeys, blue monkeys, mona monkeys — Nyungwe’s numbers are close to Kibale NP in Uganda, which people call the primate capital. And that colobus troop of 200? The hike to see them is pretty mellow, and watching them move is unreal.

Nyungwe Forest National Park Accommodations 

Nyungwe offers a range of accommodations to suit various budgets.

Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House — used to be Nyungwe Forest Lodge. It’s tucked into the tea plantations, and it’s stunning.

Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel and Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge. Comfortable, great views, won’t wreck your budget.

Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse is solid. Or camp at Uwinka’s tented campsite if you want to fall asleep to forest sounds.

Book early, especially in the dry season. Places fill up.

Costs For Visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park

Visiting Nyungwe National Park involves several costs:

Chimp trekking permit: $100 per person. Book through RDB or your tour operator.

Canopy walk: $40 for international visitors, $20 for foreign residents. Includes park entry and a guide.

Park entry: Usually $10–$20 depending on if you’re a resident or not.

Guided hikes: $30–$70 depending on the trail and how long you’re out.

Get your permits online ahead of time and bring proof to the reception center — Uwinka, Gisakura, or Kitabi. Don’t lose that paperwork.

How To Get to Nyungwe Forest National Park? 

Nyungwe Forest National Park is accessible by road or air.

BY ROAD: A 5-hour drive (230 km) from Kigali offers scenic stops at Nyanza King’s Palace and the Gikongoro genocide memorial.

From Cyangugu, near the Rwanda-Congo border, it’s a 54 km drive. Public buses, tour operator vehicles, or special hire cars are available.

Cyamudongo, a key chimpanzee trekking area, is an hour’s drive from Gisakura via a rough track, requiring a 4×4 vehicle.

BY AIR: For faster travel, Akagera Aviation helicopters from Kigali to Kamembe Airport provide quick access.

Best Time to Visit Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe is open every day, 7 AM to 5 PM, year-round. But if you want the easiest hiking and chimp tracking, aim for the dry season — June to September. Trails aren’t as slick, you’ll slip less, and the walks are just more pleasant.

Rainy season — October to May — is a different vibe. It’s greener, louder, and honestly stunning. Fruit’s everywhere, so chimps and monkeys don’t have to travel far — you might actually see them closer to the paths. Migratory birds show up too. You will get wet, though, and the trails turn to mud.

Bring a rain poncho and proper boots, no exceptions.

No matter when you go, start early. First light is when chimps are most active, and the birds are calling. Sleep in, and you’ll miss half the show.

Packing List for Rwanda Tours to Nyungwe Forest National Park 

To fully enjoy Nyungwe’s activities and see all the attractions during Rwanda tours, pack:

• Proper hiking boots: Not sneakers. The trails are uneven, muddy, and full of roots.
• Long sleeves and pants: It’s cooler up here, and the vegetation bites.
• Thick fabric keeps bugs and thorns off you.
• Rain poncho: Even in the dry season, this is a rainforest. Downpours happen fast.
• Binoculars: Chimps and colobus monkeys hang high. Birds too.
• Water and snacks: Some treks take hours. You’ll burn energy, and there are no shops in the forest.
• Walking stick: Guides usually have them. Take one. The paths are steep and slippery, and it helps.

Pack this, and you’ll be comfortable, safe, and actually able to enjoy the trails and the canopy instead of fighting your gear.

Quick Questions About Nyungwe’s History 

1. When Did Nyungwe First Get Protected? 

Officially, 1933. The Belgians called it a forest reserve back then. But “protected” was loose — people could still go in for firewood and timber.

It was protection on paper, not always on the ground.

2. What Did Colonial Rule Do To The Forest?

Colonial policies pushed for more pastureland, and from 1958 to 1973, Nyungwe lost over 150 km². Fires, logging, hunting, and small farms — all of it chipped away at the forest. The last buffalo was killed in 1974. That tells you how bad it got.

3. Why Does Nyungwe’s History Matter?

This is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Its story is about crazy biodiversity — the chimps, the colobus troops, the birds you won’t see anywhere else — and about the messy, ongoing work of protecting a forest while people still need to live next to it.

It hasn’t been easy, and it’s still not perfect.

Nyungwe has been a forest reserve, a battleground, a comeback story, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It survived poaching, war, and decades of pressure.

Today, you can track chimpanzees at dawn, walk 50 meters above the ground on the canopy walkway, and hear 300+ bird species calling through trees that are older than most countries.

That’s not just tourism — it’s proof that conservation can work. The Rwanda Development Board, African Parks, and the Wildlife Conservation Society put in the work, and it shows.

Nyungwe isn’t just beautiful. It’s critical — for Rwanda’s economy, for wildlife, and for anyone who needs to remember what an intact forest feels like.

Ready to see it for yourself? Reach out, and we’ll help you plan a trip to Nyungwe NP. Walk the trails, hear the stories, and stand in a forest that refused to disappear.