Nyungwe Forest National Park
You might have heard stories about Rwanda’s thick rainforests. You may have seen photos of a bridge hanging high above the trees. But pictures do not tell you how the air smells like damp earth and wild orchids. They do not show you the mist that clings to the hills at sunrise. Nyungwe Forest National Park is not just a place you visit to take a photo. It is a place that demands your energy and rewards you with memories that stick. Most travel websites will tell you it is beautiful. We will tell you what it is actually like to stand there. We are Whispers Safaris Uganda, and while we love the savannahs of our home, we respect the raw power of this Rwandan rainforest. This forest survived the last Ice Age. It is old, it is dense, and it is waiting for you.
Chimpanzee Trekking: The Truth About the Chase
Many travelers come here expecting a walk in the park. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe is different. It is a hunt. Not with guns, but with your eyes and ears. The chimps here are wild. They move fast. They do not sit still for photos like the mountain gorillas might. Your day starts before the sun comes up. You wake up around 4:30 AM. The air is cold and crisp. You drive to the forest edge, likely 
towards the Cyamudongo forest patch or the main Uwinka area. The rangers are already there. They have been tracking the troops since dawn broke. They talk on radios, sharing coordinates. You enter the forest, and the ground is soft. It might be slippery if it rained the night before.
You will hike. Sometimes you hike for thirty minutes, sometimes for two hours. The terrain is steep. You are on the side of a mountain, pulling yourself up by grabbing roots and branches. Then you hear it. The pant-hoot call. It starts low and gets loud, echoing through the canopy. It raises the hair on your arms. When you find them, they might be high in the ficus trees, eating figs. They might be grooming on the ground. You have to be quick with your binoculars. Watching them swing through the trees is chaotic and thrilling. It is a physical experience. You will sweat. You will get mud on your boots. But when a chimp looks down at you from a branch, you understand why you made the effort.
How Nyungwe Compares to Kibale Forest in Uganda
Since we operate across East Africa, we get asked this question often. Should you trek chimps in Uganda or Rwanda? The answer depends on what you want. Kibale Forest in Uganda is flatter. The walking is easier. The success rate for seeing chimps is slightly higher because the terrain is not as rugged. The troops there are very habituated. Nyungwe is for the adventurer. It is for the person who wants to work for the sighting. The hills here are steeper. The forest feels wilder and more ancient. If you want a relaxed walk, choose Kibale. If you want to feel like an explorer discovering a new world, choose Nyungwe. Many of our guests combine both. They trek in Kibale for the close-up photos and then come to Nyungwe for the atmosphere and the challenge.
Popular safaris to Nyungwe
2-day nyungwe narional park safari
12-days Uganda Rwanda primate safari
The Canopy Walk
There is only one walkway like this in East Africa. It hangs 70 meters above the forest floor. That is taller than a twenty-story building. The bridge is 160 meters long. It is split into three sections. You start on the Igishigishigi Trail. The hike down to the bridge takes about thirty minutes. The trail is lined with giant ferns and purple wildflowers. When you step onto the first section of the bridge, it sways. It is safe, built with strong aluminum and thick cables, but your brain will tell you to hold on tight. You look down, and you see the tops of the mahogany trees. You see birds flying below your feet. You might spot a Blue Monkey jumping between branches. The view stretches for miles. You can see the tea plantations on the edge of the park and the blue water of Lake Kivu in the distance. This activity is not just for thrill-seekers. It is the best way to see the sheer scale of the forest. Down on the ground, the trees block the sky. Up here, you see how the forest covers the mountains like a thick green blanket. It is open to children as young as six, so families can do this together. It usually takes about two hours from start to finish.
Hiking Trails for Every Level of Fitness
You do not need to track chimps to enjoy the park. The hiking trails here are some of the best in Africa. There are over 130 kilometers of paths.
The Bigugu Trail
This is the toughest one. It leads to the highest point in the park, Mount Bigugu. You climb to nearly 3,000 meters. The air gets thin. You need to be fit for this. The trail is steep, but on a clear day, you can see the islands in Lake Kivu and even the hills of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It takes about six hours. You will see rare birds like the Red-collared Mountain Babbler.
The Isumo Waterfall Trail
This is a favorite for many. It is about four hours round trip. You walk through tea fields first. The green tea leaves against the dark forest edge make for a striking color contrast. Then you descend into the jungle. You cross streams on wooden log bridges. The goal is the waterfall. It is huge and loud. The spray hits your face before you even see the water. It is a refreshing spot to eat a packed lunch.
The Kamiranzovu Swamp Trail
This trail leads you to a large marsh inside an old volcanic crater. It is flatter than the others. This is the place for orchid lovers. In the rainy season, the swamp is full of flowers. It is also the best place to see water birds. It has a mysterious, prehistoric feel to it.
Where to Stay: Lodges That Work
Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
This is not just a hotel. It is an experience. It sits right in the middle of a tea plantation on the edge of the forest. The rooms are wooden villas. They have fireplaces for the cold evenings. The staff will clean 
your muddy boots while you have dinner. They have an infinity pool that looks out over the jungle. If you want to be spoiled, this is the place. It comes with a high price tag, but the service matches the cost.
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
The name tells you everything. It sits on top of a hill. The views are incredible. You can see the volcanoes to the north and the forest to the south. The cottages are built with brick and have a traditional Rwandan style. They are large and comfortable. The food is simple but tasty. It is a good mix of value and comfort. It is a five-minute drive from the road, so it is quiet.
Budget: Gisakura Guest House
This is for the traveler who wants to save money for permits. It is clean and basic. The rooms are small, and some have shared bathrooms. The best part is the location. It is very close to the park headquarters at Uwinka. You can almost walk to the start of the Canopy Walk trail. The staff is friendly, and you will meet other hikers here. It has a warm, communal vibe.
The Colobus Monkey Experience
Chimps get all the attention, but the Rwenzori Colobus monkeys are the hidden stars of Nyungwe. These monkeys are black and white. They live in massive groups. We are talking about troops of 300 to 400 monkeys. Seeing them is easier than seeing the chimps. They stick to the trees, but because there are so many, they are easy to spot. They look like a waterfall of black and white fur as they jump from tree to tree. It is mesmerizing to watch. The trek is usually shorter and less demanding. It is a great option if you have a free afternoon or if the chimp trek sounds too hard for you
Getting There and Logistics
Nyungwe is in the southwest corner of Rwanda. It is about a five to six-hour drive from Kigali. The road is paved and smooth, but it is very winding. It twists and turns through the hills. If you get carsick, bring your medication. The drive itself is beautiful. You pass through Huye, where you can stop at the National Museum. You drive through the endless green hills that Rwanda is famous for. Once you enter the forest buffer zone, the temperature drops. The road cuts right through the park. You might see monkeys on the side of the road before you even check in. For those who want to save time, you can take a helicopter from Kigali. It takes about 45 minutes. You land near the One&Only resort. It is expensive, but it gives you an aerial view of the forest that is hard to beat.
Why Combine Rwanda and Uganda?
You are reading this on Whispers Safaris Uganda. We believe in the power of the cross-border trip. Uganda has the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the gorillas of Bwindi. Rwanda has the clean streets of Kigali and the pristine rainforest of Nyungwe. A perfect trip starts in Kigali. You drive south to Nyungwe for the canopy walk and chimps. Then you cross the border north towards Bwindi for the gorillas. This way, you see two countries and two very different types of primates. You get the open plains and the dense jungle. You get the challenge of the hike and the relaxation of the lodge. It turns a simple holiday into a full East African journey.
What to Pack for the Jungle
Rain Jacket: Essential. Even in the dry season, it can rain.
Hiking Boots: A good grip is needed. The trails are mud and clay.
Long Pants: To protect your legs from stinging nettles and ants.
Insect Repellent: There are bugs in the forest.
Warm Clothes: It gets cold at night and in the early morning.
Day Pack: To carry your water and camera.
