Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Rwanda 2026

Chimpanzee Trekking involves visiting these amazing animals in their natural forest environment, where they are used to human presence. Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda is done in Nyungwe forest National Park. The trek starts in the morning and are done in small groups of up to eight (8) people just as it is with gorilla trekking. Many visitors come to Nyungwe Forest National Park each year to see the chimpanzees up close, watch them play, feed and move. The park is also a good destination where you can add a chimpanzee trekking expedition to your gorilla trek within Volcanoes National Park without driving long distances. Chimpanzee Trekking is a lifetime experience that you will enjoy in Africa’s oldest forest in Nyungwe National Park

The trek begins at one of three starting points: Uwinka, Kitabi, or Gisakura, where park rangers meet visitors early in the morning. From there, you travel into the forest to find the chimps. Since they build nests every night, trackers go ahead of the group to locate them and communicate their whereabouts to the guides.

Once you find the chimps, you are allowed to stay with then for about 1 hour. During this time, you can observe how they behave, feed, and interact, witnessing their human-like qualities. The chimps also communicate by way of deafening screams, the loud hoots and booming hitting of the tree barks and the buttress. Spending time with these intelligent primates in Nyungwe is truly unforgettable.

How much does a Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking permit cost?

The cost for a chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe is USD 150 per person for foreign non-residents. In addition, the park entry fees are $100, making it $250 per person per trek. The permit fee covers park entrance, a ranger guide fee, one hour with the chimpanzees, a chimpanzee conservation fee, security and others.  Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board, which manages tourism in Rwanda. You will be required to show your chimpanzee tracking permit at the park headquarters just before proceeding to the beginning point on the date of trekking. It’s best to book your permits in advance because they sell out quickly. You can contact us to check availability and help you secure your booking for a memorable chimpanzee adventure in Nyungwe Forest.

About Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is in the southwestern of Rwanda, next to Burundi. It borders Kibira National Park to the south, and is near lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. This rainforest is one of the best-preserved montane rainforests in Central Africa. The park is home to over 1050 plant species, 250 endemic Albertine rifts and 200 orchids. It also hosts at least 120 butterfly species, 85 mammal species, 38 reptiles, and many more. Nyungwe was officially made a national park in 2004 and covers about 970 square kilometers of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs. In October 2020, the Rwanda Development Board signed an agreement with African Parks to assume management of Nyungwe National Park for an initial 20 years. Since then, all tourism activities are handled by the Rwanda Development Board.

Other activities to combine with Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Bird watching tour

Bird watching in Nyungwe National Park is a wonderful experience. The park is a lush, high-altitude rainforest that is home to many different birds. So far, 29 bird species have been seen here, out of over 322 that live in the area. During your birding trip, you might have the chance to see species such as Purple Throated Sunbird, Red collared mountain Babbler, Rwenzori Double Collared Warbler, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, White Bellied Robin chat, White Tailed Flycatcher , Yellow Eyed Black Flycatcher, Archer’s Robin Chat, Barred long Tailed Cuckoo, Blue Turaco, Chapin’s flycatcher, Doherty’s Bush Shrikes, grey-chested kakamega, Handsome Francolin, Lagden’s Bush Shrikes, Mountain Sooty Boubou and Pockefellers’s sun bird among others.

Tracking Monkeys

Monkeys: Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is a great place to see small primates in Africa. While most visitors go there to see chimpanzees, many also come hoping to spot other smaller monkeys. These include Angola Colobus Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Hamlyn’s Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Olive Baboon, Red tailed Monkeys, Silver Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, White and Black and Colobus monkeys. The optimal time for monkey tracking is in the early morning hours when these lively animals are most active, feeding and grooming before settling down to rest.

Canopy Walk 

Canopy walking is an exciting new activity at Nyungwe Forest National Park. It is the first of its kind in East Africa, offering visitors a unique perspective of the rainforest. The journey begins on the Igishigishigi trail, allowing guests to enjoy breathtaking views of the lush forest, spot various bird species, and experience the natural beauty of the area from above.

Biking along the Congo Nile Trail

Biking along the Congo Nile Trail takes you through Nyungwe National Park, giving you a great chance to explore the area on two wheels. Riding through the trail allows you to see the park’s diverse wildlife, including many bird species, monkeys, and other animals living in the forest. It’s also a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful trees and plants that make the forest special. While biking, camping is an important part of the experience, so it’s good to bring the right clothes, camping gear, snacks, and water to stay comfortable and prepared.

Hiking

Nyungwe National Park provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to experience its beautiful natural scenery up close. There are many walking trails available for those interested in hiking. Some of the popular Bigugu, Ngabwe, Congo Nile divide, Muzimu Trail, Rukuzi Trail, Buhoro, Igishigishigi, Irebero, Imbaraga Trail, Umuyove, Umugote, Isumo and Kamiranzovu marsh trail. The hikes can last from one hour to full day hikes depending on the one you choose.

What are best accommodation safaris to stay while on a Chimp Trekking Safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

When planning to embark on a Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park, visitors have a range of accommodation options to choose from. These options cater to different preferences and budgets, including luxury resorts, mid-range hotels, and budget-friendly guesthouses. Some notable places to stay include One& Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Chimpanzee lodge, Nyungwe Nzisa Ecolodge, Rebert Kivu Resort, Gisakura guesthouse hotel, Mantis Kivu Manna Bay Hotel, Ear Ken Brahma Guesthouse, Nyungwe Hill View Hotel, Keza Nyungwe Lodge and Kitabi Eco-center among others

How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

To get to Nyungwe Forest National Park, you can drive from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, or from Kigali International Airport. The airline offers domestic flights and one of its domestic routes is Kigali-Kamembe. RwandAir offers a minimum of 9 flights a week from Kigali to Kamembe International airport. From there, it’s just a 10-minute drive to Nyungwe. Another option is to book a private flight with Akagera Aviation, which can land directly inside the park for added convenience. You can also access Nyungwe forest by road transport, it is approximately 5-6 hours’ drive to Nyungwe from Kigali city,

Why book Chimpanzee Trekking and Safari in Rwanda Through Elephant Whispers Safaris

Elephant Whispers Safaris is a local tour company originally based in Uganda, but we also offer trips in Rwanda. We focus on providing memorable and eco-friendly tours across East Africa. When you choose us for your visit to Nyungwe Park, we customize the experience to match what you’re looking for, all at a reasonable price with no hidden fees. Feel free to get in touch to learn more about Chimpanzee Trekking and safaris in Rwanda.