Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda – Chimp Trek, & Activities
Explore Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda — home to 13 primate species, 310+ birds, and Africa’s highest canopy walkway. Plan your chimp trek, guided hikes & safari with Gorilla Safaris Africa. Nyungwe Forest is nestled in the southwestern corner of Rwanda, and it stands as one of Africa’s most extraordinary and ancient rain-forests. Covering approximately 1,019 square kilometers, this magnificent park sits on the ridge that divides the Congo and Nile river basins, partly bordering both Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A drive of roughly 4 to 5 hours from Kigali along good — if occasionally winding — roads brings you to one of the continent’s most celebrated biodiversity hotspots, a destination that has become a cornerstone of Rwanda’s thriving eco-tourism industry.
Nyungwe became an official National Park in 2004, as Rwanda strategically sought to diversify its tourism offerings beyond the world-famous mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. Since October 2020, the park has been jointly managed by the African Parks Network in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), under a 20-year management agreement that prioritises wildlife restoration, community engagement, and sustainable tourism development. This partnership has introduced significant improvements to the park’s infrastructure, activities, and pricing strategies, making it more accessible to both international visitors and Rwandan nationals alike.
Biodiversity: A Natural Treasure Trove
What truly sets Nyungwe apart from other African national parks is its breathtaking biodiversity. The forest is home to more than 1,068 plant species, including towering mahogany and ebony trees, giant tree ferns, and an extraordinary variety of orchids and epiphytes that cling to every branch. Walking through the heart of Nyungwe is a surreal, fairy-tale experience — cool, misty air, cathedral-like canopies, and a symphony of bird calls and primate vocalisations accompanying every step.
For bird enthusiasts, Nyungwe is simply paradise. The park hosts over 310 bird species, including numerous Albertine Rift endemics that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. Species such as the red-collared mountain babbler, Grauer’s warbler, the handsome francolin, and the Rwenzori turaco draw birdwatchers from across the globe.
In terms of primates, Nyungwe is unrivalled in the region. The park shelters 13 distinct primate species, including a thriving population of over 500 chimpanzees, the largest group of black-and-white colobus monkeys in Africa (sometimes forming troops of up to 400 individuals), grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and olive baboons. It is also home to a remarkable range of other fauna including forest elephants, African golden cats, and hundreds of butterfly species.
Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe offers one of the most diverse activity portfolios of any forest park in East and Central Africa. Below is a detailed overview of what visitors can enjoy.
Chimpanzee Trekking
The flagship activity of Nyungwe, chimpanzee trekking is an exhilarating and deeply moving experience. Three chimpanzee groups have been habituated for tourism purposes. Only 24 permits are issued per day — 8 visitors per group — ensuring minimal disturbance to the primates. Treks begin early in the morning at 5:00 a.m. and include a guide.
Chimpanzee Trekking Fees (per person, per trek):
Visitor Category | Fee |
International (Non-Resident) | USD 150 |
EAC Foreign Resident | USD 75 |
Rwandan / EAC Citizen | USD 25 |
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
For a deeper, more immersive encounter, the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHE) involves spending a full day with trackers and chimpanzees in the Gisovu Chimpanzee Community in the northern part of the park. Visitors observe chimp behaviour, diet, and social dynamics up close, sometimes even helping to identify individual animals. A maximum of four people may participate per session.
CHE Fees: Higher than standard trekking — contact RDB or a licensed tour operator for current pricing.
Canopy Walkway
One of Nyungwe’s most iconic attractions, the Canopy Walkway is a 160-metre-long suspension bridge suspended 50 metres above the forest floor along the Igishigishigi Trail. It is the highest canopy walk in East Africa and offers breathtaking, panoramic views over the undulating green forest canopy. Four sessions are available daily at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. It is also an exceptional vantage point for birdwatching and spotting colobus monkeys.
Canopy Walkway Fees (per person):
Visitor Category | Fee |
International Visitor | USD 60 |
EAC Foreign Resident | USD 50 |
Rwandan Citizen | RWF 5,000 |
EAC National | USD 10 |
Other Primate Tracking (Colobus, Mangabey, Blue Monkey)
Beyond chimpanzees, visitors can track three other habituated primate species — the black-and-white colobus monkey, the grey-cheeked mangabey, and the blue monkey. These experiences are equally thrilling, particularly watching a troop of several hundred colobus monkeys leaping dramatically through the canopy.
Other Primate Tracking Fees (per person):
Visitor Category | Fee |
International Visitor | USD 60 |
EAC Foreign Resident | USD 40 |
Rwandan Citizen | RWF 5,000 |
EAC National | USD 5 |
Bird Watching
With over 310 species — many of them Albertine Rift endemics — Nyungwe is consistently rated as one of Africa’s finest birding destinations. Guided birding walks can take visitors through various forest trails and elevations, maximising the chances of spotting rare and endemic species.
Birding Fees (per person, per day):
Visitor Category | Fee |
International Visitor | USD 50 |
EAC Foreign Resident | USD 40 |
Rwandan Citizen | RWF 5,000 |
EAC National | USD 20 |
Foreign Resident Students | USD 80 |
Guided Nature Walks & Hiking
Nyungwe contains over 15 nature trails ranging in difficulty and duration. These include the Bigugu Trail (the park’s highest peak at 2,950 m), the Kamiranzovu Trail through a natural swamp, and the Waterfall Trail leading to the stunning Isumo Waterfall. Each trail offers unique glimpses of the forest’s flora, fauna, and landscape.
Nature Walk / Hiking Fees (per person):
Visitor Category | Fee |
International Visitor | USD 40 |
EAC Foreign Resident | USD 30 |
Rwandan Citizen | RWF 3,000–4,000 |
EAC National | USD 5 |
Congo Nile Divide Guided Hike
For those seeking a multi-day adventure, the Congo Nile Divide Trail is a spectacular 3-day hike covering approximately 42 kilometres along the ridge separating the Congo and Nile watersheds. The trail passes through breathtaking highland scenery, terraced hillsides, and remote forest terrain.
Congo Nile Divide Fees (3-Day Hike, per person):
Visitor Category | Fee |
International Visitor | USD 100 |
EAC Foreign Resident | USD 70 |
Rwandan Citizen | RWF 10,000 |
EAC National | USD 20 |
Night Walks
A unique offering, night walks begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. Under the cover of darkness, the forest transforms — the calls of nightjars fill the air, nocturnal primates stir, and bioluminescent fungi can occasionally be spotted. These walks offer a completely different perspective on the forest ecosystem.
Zip-Lining
Nyungwe has introduced zip-line courses as part of its expanded adventure tourism offerings, providing a thrilling canopy-level experience for adventure seekers. This relatively new addition has proved extremely popular with visitors.
Park Entry Fees
All visitors must pay park entry fees in addition to specific activity fees. Entry fees cover access to the park and its trail system.
General Park Entry Fees (per person):
Visitor Category | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days |
International Visitor | USD 100 | USD 150 | USD 200 |
EAC Foreign Resident | USD 20–50 | Discounted | Discounted |
Rwandan / EAC Citizen (Adult) | RWF 8,000 | Discounted | Discounted |
Fees reduce by 50% for the second and third nights, and become free for stays beyond three nights up to one week — a deliberate incentive to encourage longer visits. Children under 5 enter free of charge.
Guides and Porters
Park guides are mandatory for specific activities including monkey tracking, night walks, canopy walks, and guided birding. Guides and porters picked up from reception before 9:00 a.m. and returned within 5 hours are considered a half-day engagement. Those hired after 9:00 a.m. are charged for a full day unless returned before midday. For every 8 tourists, one guide is required by park rules. Multi-day trail guides incur an additional RWF 15,000 for accommodation and meals per night.
Best Time to Visit
Nyungwe can be visited year-round, though the dry seasons (June–August and December–February) offer the most comfortable trekking conditions with less mud on the trails. The forest receives rain throughout the year, so waterproof gear is always recommended.