Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe National Park is one of Rwanda's unsung heroes. It's not as instantly famous as the gorillas or the Big Five, but for anyone who loves forests, primates, birdlife, or just being somewhere that feels truly ancient and untouched, it's phenomenal. This is where you come to slow down, breathe in the clean, mossy air, and immerse yourself in a world of giant trees, secret waterfalls, and the chatter of monkeys echoing through the canopy.

Located in Rwanda's southwest corner, near the border with Burundi and close to Lake Kivu. It's about a 5-hour drive from Kigali, depending on stops - and believe me, you'll want to stop. The drive is stunning: winding mountain roads, tea plantations, views over valleys that stretch for miles. It's a road trip you won't forget.

If you're short on time (or just want to treat yourself), there is also a helicopter transfer option that gets you there in under an hour - particularly handy if you're coming from Volcanoes or Akagera and want to skip a long overland leg.

Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, and it feels ancient. We're talking mist-shrouded trees, tangled vines, and a sense of deep, primeval stillness. It's a biodiversity hotspot, protecting over 1,000 plant species, 300 bird species, and 75 mammal species - including 13 primates.

The sheer variety of life is staggering, and so is the forest itself. Nyungwe spans more than 1,000 square kilometres, with altitudes ranging from 1,600 to 2,950 metres - so expect cool, crisp air and a completely different feel to the warmer, more open parks like Akagera.

The main activity to get up to here is Chimpanzee tracking. The chimps here are wild and free, not habituated in the same way as gorillas, which makes the experience more unpredictable but incredible rewarding. You will head out early with expert trackers, hiking through the forest to locate them by sound. When you find them (which is likely, though never guaranteed), the energy is electric - they crash through trees, call to each other, sometimes even pass right by you.

You can also enjoy the canopy walk which is one of Nyungwe's signature experiences - and completely unique in the region. A high suspension bridge stretches 70 metres above the forest floor, giving you a thrilling bird's-eye view of the treetops. It's exhilarating, beautiful, and not ass terrifying as it sounds (unless you hate heights - in which case, maybe skip this one out).

You can also do guided hikes - with over 130km of trail here, you can take guided walk lasting from a couple of hours to a full day.

Nyungwe is a birder's paradise. It is home to the Albertine Rift endemics. Even if you are not a hardcore twitcher, the colours and calls of species like the Rwenzori turaco or the great blue turaco are unforgettable.

The forest is also home to huge troops of black and white colobus monkeys - sometimes several hundred strong. Tracking them is less demanding than the chimps and a great way to get up close to another primate species.

The best time to go is between June and September as well as December and February as this is the driest and best times for hiking and chimp tracking. Even in the rainy season, the forest is still stunning and magical - you will just need a good waterproof and proper walking boots.