Nyungwe Forest Mammals

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to 85 confirmed mammal species, including 13 primate species, multiple small carnivores, forest antelope, bats, rodents, and nocturnal prosimians, making it one of the most mammal-diverse montane forests in Africa. Of the 86 mammal species present, 14 are endemic to the Albertine Rift, and the forest holds 14 species of primates, including large troops of colobus monkeys that can number 300 or more individuals. Thirteen primate species make up 12% of all African mainland primate species, and a single community of 600 Rwenzori colobus has been observed here, the largest ever recorded of any primate on the continent. The high number of mammal species found in Nyungwe is attributed to the forest’s rich biodiversity, long history as an undisturbed forest, and its location in the Albertine Rift, which is known for its abundance of endemic species.

Nyungwe Forest Mammal Species Overview 2026

The mammals in Nyungwe Forest are diverse not only in size but also in behavior and habitat preferences, with some adapted to life in trees and others confined to the forest floor. The recorded species also include 10 species of bats, emphasizing the wide range of mammalian life present. Other non-primate mammals include species of antelopes like the duikers, carnivores such as genets and mongooses, and numerous small mammals like shrews and rodents. Many of these animals are restricted-range species that are only found in the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion in Africa. The table below provides a quick-reference guide to the main mammal groups you can encounter in the park.

Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest

Chimpanzee trekking remains the signature mammal experience in Nyungwe, and the park holds Rwanda’s largest chimpanzee population. Two chimpanzee troops have been habituated for trekking: one troop of about 60 individuals is found in Nyungwe Forest, and the second troop of about 30 individuals is found in Cyamudongo Forest. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park begins early in the morning at 5:00 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. The trek takes between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the position of the chimps, as they tend to travel from one spot to another in search of food. Cyamudongo is often easier to track during the dry season (July, August, and December) when chimps in the main forest range more widely. Once located, chimps in Cyamudongo are highly approachable. Sightings are never guaranteed, as these are genuinely wild animals in a dense mountain forest environment.

Ruwenzori Colobus and Angola Colobus Monkeys

The Ruwenzori colobus, a type of monkey with striking black-and-white fur, is one of the forest’s most visible species. Nyungwe Forest hosts some of the largest and most visible groups, often forming large troops. A single community of 600 Rwenzori colobus has been observed in Nyungwe, the largest ever recorded of any primate on the continent. Angola colobus monkeys are also present, frequently seen along forest trails and from the canopy walkway. The Rwenzori colobus monkey is endemic to this forest, and colobus trekking can be done at any time. The park has many individuals and you can often find a group of 400 individuals while on this trek. It is best to track them in the morning when they are active, feeding and grooming before they rest. Colobus monkey trekking carries a lower permit fee than chimpanzee trekking, making it an accessible option for travelers on tighter budgets.

L’Hoest’s Monkey and Other Guenon Species

L’Hoest’s monkey, with its distinctive white “beard,” tends to live lower in the forest and is more elusive, making sightings particularly rewarding. L’Hoest’s monkey is a near-endemic species closely associated with the Albertine Rift. Other primate species commonly encountered include olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, Angola colobus monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, silver monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, mona monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. The owl-faced monkey (Hamlyn’s monkey) is a rare and poorly understood Old World monkey endemic to Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda. It also inhabits the bamboo and primary rainforests of the Congo, with a geographic range that closely overlaps with L’Hoest’s monkey. A guided morning walk along the Igishigishigi or Ngabwe trails gives visitors the best chance of encountering multiple guenon species in a single outing.

Prosimians in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe is one of the few places in Rwanda where prosimians, the most primitive primate group, can be reliably searched for. Species present include the Eastern Needle-Clawed Galago, the Greater Bushbaby, and the Dwarf Galago, along with the Grey-cheeked Mangabey and Black and White Colobus. The Bosman’s potto, a slow-moving nocturnal primate related to the bushbaby, is also confirmed in the forest. Night walks departing around sunset are the standard way to find these species, as they are entirely inactive during daylight hours. Rangers use spotlights to pick up the eyeshine of galagos and pottos in the lower forest layer. Group sizes are small and the pace is slow, making this one of the more specialist activities in the park.

African Golden Cat and Other Carnivores

The African golden cat is present in Nyungwe, although it is rarely seen due to its elusive nature. Nyungwe also has many smaller predators including the golden cat, wild cat, serval cat, the side-striped jackal, and three types of mongoose. Additional carnivore species recorded include the African civet, two-spotted palm civet, servaline genet, large-spotted genet, slender mongoose, marsh mongoose, ichneumon mongoose, and Congo clawless otter. Ongoing camera trapping surveys are helping to gauge species presence and abundance, particularly of the more secretive species, without disrupting their behaviour. Of the famous African Big 5, elephant, buffalo, and leopard were all relatively common in pre-colonial times, but only leopard are now occasionally recorded due to excessive poaching up until the 1990s. Spotted carnivores like genets and civets are most commonly seen on night walks, where they forage along forest-edge paths.

Forest Antelope and Larger Herbivores

Several antelope species inhabit the park, including the secretive bushbuck and the very rare endemic race of Weyns’s duiker. The park’s 85 mammal species include yellow-backed and black-fronted duikers. Species such as duikers and larger herbivores like bushbucks are integral to the environment, with roles in seed dispersal and maintaining forest health. Species confirmed in the forest include Lestrade’s duiker, black-fronted duiker, and yellow-backed duiker. Seeing these small antelope requires slow and quiet movement through the forest interior, particularly along less-trafficked trails in the early morning. Giant Forest Hog, Bush Pig, and Tree Hyrax are also documented species in the park. The giant forest hog is the world’s largest wild pig and, while rarely seen by visitors, its tracks and signs are regularly found on muddy forest paths.

Bats and Small Mammals of Nyungwe Forest

The recorded bat species number at least 10, and bats play a role in seed dispersal and insect control within the forest. In collaboration with Bat Conservation International and the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, the roosting sites of the Critically Endangered Hill’s horseshoe bat and the Cameroon leaf-nosed bat are being monitored, providing best practice in conservation for these flying mammals. Small mammals like squirrels, rodents, and insectivores such as shrews also contribute to the variety of mammals in Nyungwe. Documented small mammal species include the Giant Forest Squirrel, Mountain Sun Squirrel, Boem’s Squirrel, and Lord Darby’s Flying Squirrel. The flying squirrel, with its membrane-winged gliding ability, is an occasional highlight for visitors who spend time quietly observing the mid-canopy layer at dawn or dusk.

Endemic and Rare Mammals of the Albertine Rift

Nyungwe has one of the largest populations of endemic species in all of Africa, with 14 of the 86 mammal species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Many of these animals are restricted-range species found only in the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion. The number of endemic species found here is greater than in any other forest in the Albertine Rift Mountains that has been surveyed. Another rare mammal in the forest is the giant forest genet, a carnivorous animal that resembles a mix between a cat and a mongoose. This species is nocturnal and is particularly elusive. The high number of mammal species is attributed to the forest’s rich biodiversity and its location in the Albertine Rift. Nyungwe’s mix of high-altitude zones and dense vegetation provides a variety of habitats that support this diversity. The Nyungwe Forest attracts researchers and wildlife travelers specifically because of this concentration of endemics.

How To See Mammals in Nyungwe Forest in 2026

All mammal-watching in Nyungwe takes place on foot, as there are no game drive roads inside the park. Chimpanzee trackers monitor the habituated chimp and colobus monkey populations daily through EarthRanger, collating data digitally

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