Nyungwe National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Rwanda.

A total of 86 mammal species have been recorded in Nyungwe National Park, though most are very secretive and rarely encountered. The primates, on the other hand, are Nyungwe’s main attraction, especially the charismatic chimpanzees. Another 12 primate species are present, including olive baboon, L'Hoest's monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, Ruwenzori colobus, blue monkey and owl-faced monkey.

GorillaNone

ChimpanzeeCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

HippoNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

Wildlife Highlights

Tracking Nyungwe’s habituated chimpanzees is the prime activity in the park. Another highlight are the unusually large troops of Ruwenzori colobus, counting up to 600 individuals. This unique race of Angola colobus is restricted to the Albertine Rift. Antelope species in the park include the secretive bushbuck and the black-fronted duiker, which is commonly seen on the trails and even along the main road.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe is during the Dry season (June to September). Fig trees are fruiting, and chimps spend more time feeding in the morning before moving on. Trails are easier to navigate at this time and activities are less likely to be interrupted by downpours.