2-Day Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Rwanda

Safari Overview

Experience an unforgettable 2-day chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda, one of the top short safaris in Rwanda highly preferred by tourists. This adventure takes you deep into Nyungwe Forest National Park, a breathtaking rainforest and biodiversity hotspot in southwestern Rwanda.

Nyungwe National Park is the country’s largest and most diverse rainforest, covering approximately 1,013 square kilometres and home to over 13 primate species, including the famous chimpanzees, as well as rare monkeys and over 300 bird species. The park boasts an incredible 1,000+ plant species, 38 reptiles, 85 mammals, and 32 amphibians, making it a paradise for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and bird watchers.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe offers a distinctly different experience from the mountain gorilla encounter in Volcanoes National Park. While gorilla trekking is a calm, meditative hour with gentle giants, chimpanzee tracking is dynamic, unpredictable, and exhilarating. Chimpanzees travel fast, move constantly through the canopy, and communicate with a wild chorus of hoots and screeches that echoes through the forest. This is not a quiet audience it

Safari Highlights

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Visit the historic Nyanza King’s Palace Museum
Experience the thrilling canopy walk suspended 60 metres above the forest floor
Scenic drive through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills”
Opportunity to spot other primates including Angolan colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest – Canopy Walk & Cultural Experience

Your adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kigali or Kigali International Airport at approximately 6:00 AM. Your professional driver-guide will welcome you for a scenic journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda. The drive takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, covering about 230 kilometres through Rwanda’s breathtaking countryside rolling hills, local villages, and green tea plantations that give Rwanda its famous nickname, “The Land of a Thousand Hills.”

En route, you will stop at the historic Nyanza King’s Palace Museum, where you will discover Rwanda’s traditional monarchy, royal traditions, and the famous Inyambo cows known for their majestic long horns and cultural significance.

After the cultural visit, continue your journey toward Nyungwe Forest with lunch en route while enjoying spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Nyungwe, prepare for one of Rwanda’s most exciting adventures the famous Canopy Walkway experience. Suspended 60 metres above the forest floor and stretching 160 metres across a lush valley, this suspended bridge offers incredible aerial views of the rainforest, surrounding mountains, and diverse wildlife. During the walk, you may spot colourful birds, monkeys, and unique plant species.

After the canopy walk, transfer to your lodge for check-in, relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Return to Kigali

Rise early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking. Visitors assemble at the Uwinka Visitor Centre or the Cyamudongo forest sector before 5:00 AM, where park rangers outline the rules of engagement maintain a distance of at least 7 metres from the chimpanzees, no flash photography, keep voices low, and no eating near the chimps.

Accompanied by experienced park rangers and guides, begin your trek through the ancient rainforest in search of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The trek can last anywhere from 1 to 5 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzee groups. The terrain is challenging steep, muddy, and densely vegetated but the reward is extraordinary.

Rangers locate chimpanzee groups by listening for vocalizations and observing signs such as broken branches or nests. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will have up to one hour to observe them in their natural habitat. Watch as they feed, groom, communicate, and interact with one another. Chimpanzees are highly energetic and social you may see juveniles playing, adults grooming, and alpha males displaying dominance. The encounter is unpredictable and thrilling.

After the trekking adventure, return to the lodge for refreshments before starting your scenic drive back to Kigali, arriving in the evening. Your driver-guide will drop you off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your memorable Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Chimpanzee Trekking Permits & Costs

A valid chimpanzee permit is required to participate in the trek. Current permit prices for Cyamudongo Forest are approximately USD 150 per person for foreign non-residents , with an additional park entry fee. The one-hour chimpanzee encounter is limited to eight trekkers per group, and permits should be booked well in advance.

Best Time to Visit

Chimpanzee trekking is available year-round, but the dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer more favourable trekking conditions with drier trails and better visibility.

What to Pack

Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots
Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers
Rain jacket
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
Insect repellent
Camera with good low-light performance (no flash)
Extra camera batteries
Bottled water and energy-giving snacks
Passport or ID

Safari Inclusions

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kigali
Transportation in a private 4WD vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Canopy walkway experience
Visit to Nyanza King’s Palace Museum
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Bottled drinking water

Safari Exclusions

International flights and visas
Travel insurance
Accommodation in Kigali before or after the safari
Tips and gratuities for guides and staff
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and souvenirs
Activities not mentioned in the itinerary