Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park -Rwanda Safaris
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park offers a unique opportunity to walk through pristine rainforest and observe habituated chimpanzee communities where they naturally live. This adventure allows visitors to connect closely with wildlife and experience one of East Africa’s top destinations for an unforgettable primate encounter.
Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda
Lying in the Southern Province of Rwanda, Nyungwe is where over 500 chimpanzees survive, and about 3 sectors are available for tourists to begin their treks to explore these amazing mammals. Nyungwe is largely a rainforest dominated protected area and covers about 970 sq. km. The park was established in 2004, and in 2023, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At Nyungwe, visitors enjoy more than just chimpanzees. A chimpanzee tracking safari here gives you the chance to see a diverse variety of primates, mammals, birds, and reptiles. With 12 additional primate species—including red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, golden monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, and olive baboons—Nyungwe enriches your wildlife experience and offers broader biodiversity exploration.
Nyungwe is a rich natural rainforest, and during guided chimpanzee trekking safaris, expect to also come across diverse birds. A total of 310 species of birds are confined in the lush Nyungwe, including many of the Albertine Rift endemics, forest and resident species. The different birds that you may come across during the chimpanzee tracking tour include the black-faced apalis, Rwenzori turacos, Mountain babblers, purple-breasted sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warblers, kingfishers, Shelley’s crimson wing, and more.
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe
Nyungwe is a tropical forest Park, home to the Eastern chimpanzees, also referred to as the common chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are believed to share about 98% of their DNA with humans, indicating our close relationship with these primates. The resemblance is even more evident when you have a close look at the toes, fingers, palms, and their faces.
Chimpanzees behave more like humans where that they socialize. They live in groups, also referred to as communities, each comprising 10 to 150 members. In each of the chimpanzee communities, there is an alpha chimpanzee- a mature male chimpanzee that takes responsibility to protect the rest of the members and also their territories.
The day of a chimpanzee is characterized by a number of activities, including feeding, bonding, playing, and, late in the evening, they can be observed as they make nests. Note, chimpanzees prefer making new nests each day to sleep. During the guided chimpanzee trek and specifically, the one hour of close encounter, visitors can have a great moment observing most of the traits displayed by these apes plus the unique body gestures.
The Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
The Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking experience immerses you in the rich jungle environment, searching for chimpanzees while enjoying guided adventure and educational opportunities. Starting with a briefing, the trek lasts 2-5 hours or more, allowing visitors to witness the forest’s biodiversity and enjoy a meaningful, informative safari.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park starts from the available sectors, including Uwinka, Cyamudongo, and Gisovu sector.
The Uwinka sector is the most popular region and is located on the eastern side of Nyungwe Forest National Park. A huge concentration of the chimpanzee community survives in the Uwinka with over 60 habituated individuals. Trekking Uwinka chimpanzee community begins with a briefing as early as 5.30 am. You may take between 2 and 6 hours to explore the Uwinka chimpanzee community.
The Cyamudongo sector is located in the western end of the Nyungwe National Park and holds over 30 chimpanzees. It offers treks with less challenging terrains to conquer, unlike the Uwinka sector.
Lastly, the Gisovu sector in the Northern edge of Nyungwe features a new chimpanzee community. It is ideal for researchers interested in exploring in-depth the unique behaviors of the chimpanzees.
How much are chimpanzee trekking permits for Nyungwe
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe can be enjoyed provided participants have valid permits. As of 2025, the chimpanzee permits cost USD 250 per person. The Nyungwe chimpanzee permits can be booked through a reliable tour operator. Contact Maranatha Tours and Travel to secure a permit for you to take part in the exhilarating trek with Nyungwe chimpanzees.
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe welcomes primate trekkers at any time of the year to enjoy chimpanzee tracking safari. But the dry season offers more favorable weather conditions, perfect for trekking with chimpanzees. This is possible during the long dry months or the short dry season, which occurs from December to February. The long dry season occurs from June to September. The chimpanzee habitats remain drier and easier to access by trekkers.
Nyungwe chimp trekking tours are more flexible in that visitors can also plan and embark on a search for chimpanzees even during the wet or rainy season. The wet season is usually avoided by some trekkers due to the inconveniences of rain. It is around the wet or rainy months when Nyungwe records heavy rainfall, which makes the forest floor muddy or slippery, thus posing a huge challenge to trekkers to safely navigate through the jungle to see chimpanzees.
Where to stay
Nyungwe has 3 categories of accommodation options, including budget, midrange, and luxury. The budget lodging options in Nyungwe Forest National Park include Gisakura Guesthouse, Vedaste Guesthouse, and Kibati Eco Center. The mid-range lodges include Munazi Eco Lodge, Nyungwe Nziza Eco-Lodge, and Nyungwe Top View Hotel. The available luxury lodges include Nyungwe Forest Lodge, One and Only Nyungwe House.
What to pack for your Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking
Packing right is necessary for a successful chimpanzee trek. The items to pack for the Nyungwe chimpanzee trek include long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, a safari hat, waterproof hiking boots, insect repellents, a first aid kit, a camera with additional batteries, snacks, a rain jacket, long trousers, and gloves.
Getting to Nyungwe to track chimpanzees
Driving to Nyungwe National Park takes about 6 to 7 hours starting from Kigali. En route, you can make a stop to visit the National Museum or the Nyanza King’s palace at Butare. Domestic flight services are also available, taking you from Kigali to Kamembe Airport.