Nyungwe Forest National Park

South of Lake Kivu, in the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, is one of the oldest forests in Africa. The quintessential rainforest, Nyungwe is home to over 200 tree species and extremely rich in biodiversity.

The area is regarded as the largest remaining extension of uninterrupted montane forest in Central and East Africa. Something to breathe in while nervously negotiating your car along the 50km's of steep slope, beyond which swollen-bellied hills with creased green skins roll about like hordes of happy, pregnant mothers.

The parks main attraction is the 13 different primate species in attendance (around 25% of Africa's total). Of the 13, several are considered either vulnerable or endangered by the World Conservation Union.

There are a high number of mammal species in the park (85), but the buffalo, leopard, and elephant that once inhabited this place are either gone, or invisible to we - mere mortal tourists (small numbers of Leopards are regularly spotted by locals though).

The park also draws large numbers of hikers and birders. Part of this is due to the species on offer, but mostly it is thanks to the parks accessibility. With well-maintained walking trails, a superior campsite and rest house, and of course the road bisecting the park, the nature experience at Nyungwe is a delightfully comfortable one.

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