Nyungwe Forest National Park gets overshadowed by Rwanda’s gorilla trekking every time, treated as a footnote to Volcanoes National Park rather than a destination that stands entirely on its own. That undersells one of the oldest rainforests left standing on the continent. You walk a swinging steel bridge suspended 70 metres above the canopy while colobus monkeys move through the treetops below you. An hour later you are on your knees in the undergrowth, a few metres from a wild chimpanzee stripping a fig branch. Sense of Adventure pairs this experience with gorilla trekking rather than letting it get skipped, because Nyungwe earns its own two days on any Rwanda itinerary.
Add Nyungwe to Your Rwanda Trip
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Why Nyungwe Forest National Park Deserves Its Own Itinerary Days
Nyungwe protects roughly 1,019 square kilometres of montane rainforest in southwestern Rwanda, believed to have survived largely intact since the last Ice Age, making it one of the oldest rainforests anywhere in Africa. Two habituated chimpanzee troops live inside the park, one at Uwinka and a second, larger group at Cyamudongo, and treks to find them can run anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on how far the group has moved overnight. Add 13 primate species, over 300 recorded bird species and a canopy walkway found nowhere else in East Africa, and Nyungwe holds enough on its own to justify skipping a day somewhere else on the circuit.
We had done the canopy walk that morning, all nerves crossing the swinging bridge, and by afternoon we were crouched in the undergrowth watching a chimp crack open a fruit ten feet away. Two completely different kinds of adrenaline in one day, and neither one felt like the warm-up act for gorillas.
— Sense of Adventure guest, Rwanda gorillas and Nyungwe chimps safari
5 Reasons to Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park
1. Chimpanzee Trekking — two habituated troops, close encounters guaranteed
Trekkers report to a ranger station at Uwinka, Gisakura or Kitabi by 4:30am for briefing before entering the forest around 5am, since chimps move fast and trackers need the early start to locate them. Only two groups per day may visit each habituated troop, and each gets a single hour once found.
2. The Canopy Walkway — 160 metres of steel suspended 70 metres up
The first canopy walkway of its kind in East Africa and the third longest in Africa gives a rare view down onto the forest roof itself, with colobus troops and turacos often visible moving through the canopy at eye level rather than far below.
3. Angolan Colobus Troops — the largest black-and-white colobus groups in Africa
Nyungwe holds troops of Angolan colobus monkeys numbering in the hundreds, among the largest gatherings of this species recorded anywhere, and their long white tails streaming through the canopy are one of the park distinctive sights.
4. Birdlife — over 300 species including Albertine Rift endemics
Nyungwe is one of East Africa serious birding destinations, holding a long list of Albertine Rift endemic species found almost nowhere else, making it a genuine detour for birders even without the primates as a draw.
5. Waterfall and Tea Plantation Trails — an easier day between treks
Shorter trails to waterfalls and through the surrounding tea estates offer a lower-effort day between the chimp trek and the canopy walk, useful for spacing out two physically demanding activities across a two or three-night stay.
Book Gorillas and Nyungwe Chimps Together
Our 6-day Rwanda Gorillas & Nyungwe Chimps trip combines both experiences in one seamless itinerary.
Nyungwe Forest National Park: Quick Reference
- Size: roughly 1,019 square kilometres, the largest protected rainforest in Rwanda.
- Primates: 13 species recorded, including two habituated chimpanzee troops.
- Canopy walkway: 160 metres long, suspended roughly 70 metres above the forest floor.
- Permit cost: $150 for non-resident foreign visitors to trek chimpanzees.
- Trek duration: 2 to 6 hours depending on where the chimp troop has moved overnight.
- Minimum age: 15 years old for chimpanzee trekking participants.
Combining Nyungwe With the Rest of a Rwanda Safari
Nyungwe sits roughly a half-day drive from Volcanoes National Park, which makes it a natural add-on rather than a separate trip. Read our full Rwanda gorilla trekking guide or our golden monkey trekking guide for the Volcanoes National Park side of the circuit, and our broader Rwanda safari guide for how it all fits together. Our own Rwanda Gorillas & Nyungwe Chimps (6 Days) and Rwanda Gorillas & Golden Monkeys (5 Days) both build this exact combination into one itinerary.
Do not Let Nyungwe Get Skipped
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nyungwe Forest National Park known for?
Nyungwe Forest National Park is known for chimpanzee trekking, its 160-metre canopy walkway, and being one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, home to 13 primate species including large troops of Angolan colobus monkeys.
How much does a Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking permit cost?
A Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking permit costs 150 dollars for non-resident foreign visitors, 75 dollars for foreign residents in Rwanda or the East African Community, and 25 dollars for Rwandan and East African citizens.
How far is Nyungwe from Volcanoes National Park?
Nyungwe is roughly a half-day drive from Volcanoes National Park, making it straightforward to combine gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in a single Rwanda itinerary of 5 to 7 days rather than treating them as separate trips.
Can I do the canopy walk without doing a chimpanzee trek?
Yes, the Nyungwe canopy walkway is a separate, shorter activity that does not require a chimpanzee trekking permit, making it accessible to visitors with limited time or those who prefer not to attempt the more physically demanding chimp trek.
Is Nyungwe worth visiting if I have already done gorilla trekking?
Yes, Nyungwe offers a genuinely different experience from gorilla trekking, centred on chimpanzees, the canopy walkway and some of the best birding in East Africa, rather than repeating the same primate encounter in a different forest.
