Tucked into the far southwest of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests — a vast, ancient wilderness that survived the last ice age and, as a result, holds an extraordinary concentration of life packed into a comparatively small area. It’s home to 13 primate species, including a healthy population of chimpanzees, the striking black-and-white Angolan colobus monkey (found here in some of the largest troops anywhere in Africa), and over 300 recorded bird species, many of them found nowhere else in East Africa.

This three-day trip is designed to make the most of a short window in Nyungwe without feeling rushed. After a scenic drive from Kigali that takes in some of Rwanda’s most significant cultural and historical sites along the way, you’ll spend a full day doing exactly what Nyungwe does best: tracking chimpanzees at dawn, then crossing East Africa’s only major canopy walkway for a rare eye-level view into the forest’s upper storeys. The final day slows the pace down with a visit to a working tea estate and time on the shores of Lake Kivu, before the drive back to Kigali.

It’s a perfect standalone break from Kigali, a natural extension for travelers who’ve just finished gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, or a rainforest-and-primate complement to a longer Rwanda or Rwanda–Uganda safari. If you’d like to add gorilla trekking to this trip, our Rwanda Safaris page has several options; for a combined primate journey across both countries, take a look at our 4-Day Rwanda-Uganda Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking or 10-Days Fantastic Tour in Rwanda & Uganda. Or get in touch and we’ll tailor the pace, dates, or accommodation level to suit you.

Trip Highlights

• A scenic drive from Kigali via Kamegeri’s Rock, the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, and the National Ethnographic Museum in Huye
• Chimpanzee trekking in one of East Africa’s last strongholds for this endangered ape
• East Africa’s only major canopy walkway, suspended 50 metres above the forest floor
• A guided visit to a working Rwandan tea estate, with tasting included
• Time on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes
• Exceptional birdwatching, with over 300 species recorded in the park
• The chance to spot Angolan colobus monkeys in troops of several hundred individuals

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest

Depart Kigali in the morning for the scenic drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, stop at several of Rwanda’s most significant cultural and historical sites: Kamegeri’s Rock, the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza — once home to Rwanda’s monarchy — and the National Ethnographic Museum in Huye, widely regarded as one of the best museums in the region for understanding Rwandan history and culture. After a leisurely lunch, continue on to Gisakura, arriving at your lodge on the edge of the forest in the late afternoon. Overnight: Nyungwe Forest

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walkway

An early start — breakfast at around 4:45 am — before heading out to the trailhead for chimpanzee trekking, one of Nyungwe’s signature experiences and among the last places in East Africa to reliably track this endangered primate. After the trek, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing ahead of the famous canopy walkway: a suspension platform stretching 200 metres across a steep forested valley, hanging some 50 metres above the ground. It’s a genuinely unique perspective on the rainforest, putting you at eye level with monkeys and birds that spend their lives in the upper canopy. The afternoon is free to relax at your lodge or, time and interest permitting, visit a nearby tea plantation for an informal introduction to the crop that carpets much of this part of Rwanda. Overnight: Nyungwe Forest

Day 3: Tea Factory Tour, Lake Kivu & Transfer Back to Kigali

Spend the morning on a guided tour of a local tea factory, learning how Rwanda’s famous tea is grown, harvested, and processed, with a chance to sample the finished product. From here you have two options: continue to Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu for a boat excursion to Napoleon Island, or head back via Huye before returning to Kigali. Either way, you’ll arrive back in the city in the evening, in time for your onward travel or flight home.

What’s Included

• All park entrance fees
• Chimpanzee trekking permit
• Canopy walkway permit
• All listed activities (unless marked optional)
• All accommodation
• Professional English-speaking driver/guide
• All ground transportation
• All applicable taxes/VAT
• Meals and drinks as specified in the day-by-day itinerary

Not Included

• International flights
• Tips (guideline: US$10 per person per day)
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Optional activities such as the Lake Kivu boat excursion
• Meals not specified in the day-by-day itinerary

Good to Know

Permits and park fees: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walkway permits for Nyungwe are issued by the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s official tourism authority, which also manages the country’s other national parks, including Volcanoes and Akagera. We handle permit bookings as part of your reservation.

Best time to go: The dry season (June–September) is considered the best time to visit Nyungwe, with firmer trails and more active, visible wildlife, making it a popular period for chimpanzee tracking and birdwatching. The short-rains period from October to November is also excellent for birdwatchers, as migratory species arrive in the park.

Fitness level: Chimpanzee trekking involves uneven forest terrain and can be physically demanding depending on the animals’ location on a given day. The canopy walkway is not technically difficult but does involve heights, which those with a fear of heights should factor in when planning.

Rwanda entry requirements: Most visitors need a visa, obtainable in advance through the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, and proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry.

Related Tours You May Also Like

• Rwanda Safaris — for gorilla trekking and other Rwanda itineraries
• 4-Day Rwanda-Uganda Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking
• 2 Days Rwanda to Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
• 10-Days Fantastic Tour in Rwanda & Uganda – Safari in East Africa
• 15-Day Rwanda–Uganda Primate & Big-Five Safari Adventure
• 3 Days Chimpanzee Tracking Safari — the Uganda equivalent, in Kibale Forest
• Isumo Waterfall Trail — for travelers who’d rather hike than track chimps on a Nyungwe visit

Useful External Resources

• Rwanda Development Board — official Rwanda tourism authority and issuer of Nyungwe park permits
• Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration — for Rwanda visa applications

Ready to book, or want us to tailor the pace, dates, or accommodation level? Request a quote and our team — Africa safari experts since 2010 — will build your Nyungwe Forest adventure around you.