Best Time to Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is open to be visited all year round. The park has 2 dry seasons every year: from June – September and Mid-December to February, which is the best time of the year to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park for Chimpanzee trekking, Canopy walks, among other activities, although there are still some short rains.

Visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park in June-September & December to February

The best time of the year to visit the park is during the dry months of December, January, February, June, August and September, because the trails are dry or less slippery, light vegetation growth, less/no rains which offers favorable conditions to follow through different trails, searching for chimpanzees. This is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking, although it is also important to note that, it is during this season that chimpanzees wander furthest into the thick forest to look for food, hence leading to longer day treks to locate them.

Visiting Nyungwe Forest national Park To Trek Chimpanzees

Besides Visiting Nyungwe National Park,  The dry season is also the best month to go gorilla trekking , Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park and the best time for game viewing drives plus boat ride at Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park.

The dry season window which runs from June through September corresponds with the summer  months in Northern America and Europe, which allows in more  travelers to flock into Africa for summer holiday tours.

Visiting during the Wet Season (March-May & October-November)

The Low season comprising of wetter months of March, April, May October, and November experience  long rains, which allows for thicker vegetation growth, and locating chimpanzees, and other 12 primates, becomes more easier since there is an abundance of food within close reach, but trekking becomes so strenuous  due to the wet/muddy  & slippery trails.

Nevertheless, the wet months are also the best time of the year to go birding (bird watching), since it’s the best time for breeding, and beautiful sights of bird species are also common during such times.

In conclusion, Since Nyungwe Forest is a tropical rain forest, it is important to note that, rains may pour at anytime of the day, regardless of the season and time you are visiting. All travelers are then urged to wear/pack proper gear when visiting for any activity, as it in in what to pack/wear for Chimpanzee tracking.