63mm, 1/160s, f/8, ISO400
What Rwanda lacks in size, it makes up for in variety. Of the country’s three main national parks — there are actually four, but not even the Wikipedia entry for Rwanda’s national parks remembers the existence of Gishwati Mukura National Park — Nyungwe Forest was the last I would visit, in 2019. It is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and home to 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys. For me, however, it is at least as much about the landscape as the wildlife. As we were driving to one of the park’s 15 trails, this was the view that met us again and again from the main road (!) as the sun began to rise over the forest.
Last year, the non-profit African Parks took over management of Nyungwe — their second such undertaking in Rwanda, as they are already responsible for Akagera National Park. I have worked with them for several years now, documenting parks across the continent on their behalf, and I’m certainly excited to see what they will make of Nyungwe.
🖋️📸 written & photographed by:
Marcus Westberg is a multiple award-winning photographer and writer from Sweden whose work — covering conservation, wildlife and travel — appears regularly in several global publications. He has made several trips to our region specifically to volunteer for Gorilla Highlands Experts. When not globetrotting, Marcus lives with his wife and daughter close to Lisbon, Portugal. Click for our interview with Marcus. [bio updated: 2026-03-05]