Unmissable: ancient rainforest, primate diversity, and canopy adventures. The dream. Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda, spans 393 square miles and forms part of a larger montane ecosystem, including the contiguous Kibira National Park in Burundi, totaling over 600 square miles. Established as a national park in 2005, this pristine rainforest is one of Africa’s oldest, dating back to the Ice Age. It hosts 13 primate species, including over 500 chimpanzees, 300 colobus monkeys, and elusive L’Hoest’s monkeys, alongside 1,068 plant species and 310 bird species. Its misty hills, waterfalls, and tea plantations create a lush, biodiverse haven. Conservation efforts focus on protecting endangered primates and sustainable tourism with local communities. Accommodation ranges from budget camps to luxury lodges, with the chatter of monkeys and songs of forest birds as a nightly symphony. The name “Nyungwe” is derived from local Kinyarwanda, possibly linked to the forest’s dense, sacred nature. A premier ecotourism destination, Nyungwe offers thrilling chimpanzee trekking and Africa’s highest canopy walkway, immersing visitors in a verdant, primal wilderness.