Discover Southern Province

Southern Province offers travelers two distinctive perspectives: the montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park and the royal sites around Nyanza. Nyungwe National Park lies in Rwanda’s Southern and Western Provinces and has been recognized as a natural World Heritage site by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Nearby, the Royal Trail connects Nyanza with sites associated with Rwanda’s historic royal family. The range of themes therefore extends from nature and wildlife viewing to cultural attractions.

Nyungwe’s Rainforest and Wildlife

Montane rainforest dominates Nyungwe National Park. The area also includes various vegetation types and habitats, including high-altitude wetlands and savanna grassland. The Ndambarare and Kamiranozu waterfalls add to the landscape and provide two named landmarks in the natural setting.

The park has a Canopy Walkway. A chimpanzee trekking experience is also offered, where you can observe a semi-habituated group. Around 300 bird species have been recorded in the park, including 30 species endemic to the Albertine Rift. If you are planning nature experiences, you will find a range of options here: the landscape and its different habitats, wildlife viewing, and the park’s notable bird diversity.

Royal History Around Nyanza

Along the Royal Trail are the former royal palace, which now houses the Home-Grown Solutions Museum and was built in 1959 by King Mutara III Rudahigwa, as well as the Kings’ Palace Museum, built in 1932. Attractions described along the Royal Trail also include replicas of an old royal palace, traditional Inyambo cattle, and the Mausoleum of the Kings of Rwanda.

Christ-Church is also one of the Royal Trail’s attractions. The church was built in 1935 by Belgian missionaries. The three dated buildings along the route form a sequence from 1932 to 1935 to 1959: the Kings’ Palace Museum, Christ-Church, and the former royal palace. This chronology offers a way to consider the buildings alongside the trail’s other royal and cultural themes.

Start with the experiences you want to shape your trip, and tailor your hotel search accordingly.

A Broader Look at Rwanda

In the destination of Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park also has a suspended Canopy Walkway that offers views over the montane rainforest canopy and starts at Uwinka Visitor Centre. Ten hiking trails start at Uwinka Visitor Centre and three at Gisakura Campsite. Birdwatching trips with knowledgeable park guides are also offered.

For a multi-day hike in Rwanda, the three-day Cyinzobe Hike offers a clear timeframe. It takes you through rainforest with meals provided, past Kamiranzovu Swamp, streams, and waterfalls; overnight stays are in wooden huts along the route. Before your trip, check the current accessibility of the Walkway and hiking trails, as well as booking and tour arrangements for birdwatching and the Cyinzobe Hike.

Discover more destinations: Rusatira, Huye, Northern Province, Western Province, Eastern Province, Kigali.

Return to the main travel overview: Rwanda.