Chimpanzees, Colobus and a Walk Through the Rainforest Canopy
Nyungwe is one of the largest and oldest montane rainforests in Africa, covering about 1,019 km² of steep ridges and valleys in south-west Rwanda. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. The forest is home to 13 primate species — among them chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys and very large troops of Rwenzori black-and-white colobus — and is one of the most important bird areas in the Albertine Rift.
Most visitors come for chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walkway, a suspension bridge that hangs high over a forest ravine near Uwinka. A network of marked trails, some short and some full-day, lets you explore waterfalls, swamps and viewpoints on foot.
Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to Do
Chimpanzee Tracking
Early-morning tracking with rangers, usually in the main forest or the Cyamudongo forest fragment. Chimps move fast, so be ready for a brisk walk.
Canopy Walkway
A suspended bridge high above the forest floor, reached by a trail from the Uwinka area — the best place to appreciate the scale of the forest.
Colobus and Other Monkeys
Rwenzori colobus live here in troops that can number in the hundreds, alongside L'Hoest's, blue and silver monkeys.
Forest Trails and Waterfalls
Guided hikes such as the Isumo waterfall trail lead through tree ferns and orchids to cascades and viewpoints.
Tea Estates
The plantations of Gisakura and Kitabi border the park; a tea estate visit pairs well with a forest day.
When to Go
Nyungwe is a rainforest, so expect rain in any month. June to August and December to February are drier and the trails are easier. Chimpanzees can be easier to find in the wetter months, when fruit is abundant and they stay lower on the slopes.
Getting There
The park lies about 225 km from Kigali, a drive of roughly five to six hours via Huye. From Lake Kivu, the Kivu Belt road through Karongi reaches the western side of the park. Most visitors stay at least two nights so they can track chimps one morning and hike or do the canopy walk the next.
Where to Stay
Tours Including Nyungwe National Park
6-Day Gorillas, Lake Kivu & Nyungwe Chimpanzees
A west-of-Rwanda loop: gorillas in the Virungas, the beaches and fishing villages of Lake Kivu, then chimpanzees and the canopy walkway in Nyungwe Forest.
View Tour7-Day Rwanda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps & Big Five
Rwanda's three great parks in one week: Big Five game drives in Akagera, mountain gorillas in the Virungas, and chimpanzees and the canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest.
View Tour
10-Day Best of Rwanda Safari
Everything Rwanda does best in ten unhurried days: Kigali, Akagera's Big Five, gorillas, golden monkeys and Dian Fossey's grave, Lake Kivu at Karongi, and Nyungwe's chimpanzees.
View TourFrequently Asked Questions
Is chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe guaranteed?
No. Sightings are good, but the chimps range widely and are not guaranteed on any one day.
Is the canopy walkway safe if I am nervous about heights?
It is a sturdy, well-maintained structure with high side rails. Many people who are uneasy about heights manage it by walking steadily and looking ahead.
How many days do I need in Nyungwe?
Two nights are ideal: one morning for chimpanzees and time for the canopy walk or a forest trail.
