

Chimpanzee Tracking Tours in Rwanda. Chimpanzee tracking safaris in Rwanda offer one of the most exciting wildlife encounters in Africa. Picture yourself standing on a forest trail before sunrise, mist hanging over ancient trees, when a chorus of hoots and screams suddenly erupts above you. Branches shake, fruit drops to the ground, and a family of wild chimpanzees swings through the canopy just metres away. This is the reality of a chimp trek in Rwanda, and it is an experience that stays with travellers long after they return home.
Rwanda is best known for mountain gorillas, but the “Land of a Thousand Hills” is also one of East Africa’s finest primate destinations. Its southwestern rainforests shelter hundreds of chimpanzees, over a dozen other primate species, hundreds of bird species and rare orchids found nowhere else. At Kenlink Tours, we have been guiding travellers through these forests since 2015, and in this guide we share everything you need to plan a successful chimpanzee tracking safari in Rwanda: where to go, how much it costs, when to travel, what to pack, and how to combine chimps with gorillas, golden monkeys and Big Five wildlife.
Chimpanzees share roughly 98 percent of their DNA with humans, which makes watching them feel almost like looking into a mirror. You will see mothers cradling infants, juveniles wrestling and playing, and dominant males displaying their strength by drumming on tree buttresses. Chimps use tools, groom each other to strengthen social bonds, and communicate through a remarkable range of calls and facial expressions. Unlike the calm, slow-moving gorillas, chimpanzees are energetic and unpredictable, which gives every trek a real sense of adventure.
Rwanda adds several advantages that make it an outstanding place for this experience:
If you are still exploring what the country has to offer, our overview of Rwanda safaris gives a helpful introduction to every park and experience we run, while our feature on the best Rwanda safari experiences for nature lovers shows how chimp tracking fits into the bigger picture.
Rwanda has two main destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Nyungwe Forest National Park is the most popular and best developed, while Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a newer, quieter option for travellers who enjoy getting off the beaten path.
Nyungwe Forest National Park covers roughly 1,000 square kilometres of mountain rainforest in the far southwest of Rwanda, close to the borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved montane rainforests in Africa, believed to have survived the last Ice Age while other forests shrank. The park is now managed through a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and the conservation organisation African Parks, which has strengthened protection and improved visitor facilities.
Nyungwe is home to an estimated 400 to 500 chimpanzees, as well as 13 primate species in total, including large troops of Rwenzori (Angolan) colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and blue monkeys. Birders will find more than 300 species here, including many Albertine Rift endemics. For a detailed destination profile, you can read this Nyungwe Forest National Park guide from Pick and Transfer Safaris, and our own detailed article on chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Chimp tracking in Nyungwe takes place with habituated communities in two main areas:
Your guide and the park rangers will decide which group you track based on permit allocation and the latest reports from trackers who follow the chimps each day.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s newest national park, established to protect and restore two forest fragments between Lake Kivu and the Congo-Nile Divide. Gishwati holds a small population of chimpanzees, along with golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys and a wide variety of birds. Tourism here is still low-key, which means you are likely to have the forest almost entirely to yourself.
Gishwati is a wonderful addition for repeat visitors, keen photographers and anyone who values community-based tourism, since many activities are run with local cooperatives. Learn more in this Gishwati-Mukura National Park destination guide. We can easily add Gishwati to a Lake Kivu or Volcanoes itinerary on request.
Knowing how a typical tracking day unfolds helps you prepare physically and mentally. While each day in the forest is different, most chimp treks in Rwanda follow this pattern:
Because chimps move quickly through the canopy, you may need to move briskly to keep up. That element of the chase is exactly what makes chimp tracking so thrilling compared with other primate experiences.
Rules are in place to protect both visitors and the chimpanzees, which are an endangered species and highly vulnerable to human diseases. Your ranger will remind you of these guidelines on the day:
Every visitor needs a chimpanzee tracking permit, which is issued through the Rwanda Development Board and the park management. At the time of writing, a chimp tracking permit in Nyungwe costs around US$150 per person for foreign non-residents, with reduced rates for foreign residents, East African Community citizens and Rwandan nationals. Permit prices are reviewed from time to time, so we always confirm the current rate when you book with us.
Permits are limited because only small groups of visitors can visit each habituated chimpanzee community per day. During the peak months of June to September and December to February, permits can sell out, particularly for travellers who need specific dates. We recommend booking at least two to three months in advance, and even earlier if you are combining chimps with gorilla permits, which cost US$1,500 per person in Rwanda and are in very high demand.
When you book your chimpanzee tracking safari in Rwanda with Kenlink Tours, we handle permit purchasing on your behalf, secure the right dates, and build your accommodation and transport around them, so you never have to worry about the paperwork. Simply contact our team with your preferred travel dates.
The total price of your safari depends on the length of the trip, your choice of accommodation, the number of people travelling together, and whether you add gorilla trekking or other activities. As a general guide, the main costs to budget for are:
A short budget or mid-range chimp trip to Nyungwe can be surprisingly affordable, particularly for small groups sharing a vehicle. Luxury safaris combining gorillas, chimps and Akagera cost more but deliver unforgettable comfort. For advice on matching your budget to the right package, read our guide on how to choose the best safari package in Uganda and Rwanda. Travelling with friends or colleagues? Our group tours help reduce the per-person cost of vehicles and guides.
Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda is possible all year round, but conditions vary between seasons. Rwanda’s climate is mild thanks to its altitude, although Nyungwe is cooler and wetter than most of the country because of its elevation.
Because Nyungwe is a rainforest, rain can fall in any month, so pack waterproof gear whatever the season. Many experienced travellers actually enjoy the shoulder months, when the forest is quieter and the scenery at its greenest.
Packing well makes a big difference to your comfort on the trail. Here is our recommended checklist:
Walking sticks are usually provided at the trailhead, and local porters are available for hire. Hiring a porter is highly recommended: they carry your bag, help you on steep sections and earn an important income that supports communities around the park.
You do not need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience. Nyungwe’s terrain is hilly, with steep ascents and descents, and the altitude ranges between roughly 1,600 and almost 3,000 metres above sea level. Chimps can move fast, so you may need to walk quickly over uneven ground for short periods.
To prepare, try regular walking, hiking or stair climbing in the weeks before your trip. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor before travelling. Our guides always pace the day sensibly and will make sure you are comfortable throughout your trek.
Nyungwe is much more than a chimp destination. Plan at least two nights in the park so you can enjoy several of its other attractions:
All of these experiences feature in our 3-Day Nyungwe Forest National Park Tour, a well-balanced trip that pairs chimp tracking with the canopy walk and forest exploration.
Most chimpanzee tracking safaris in Rwanda begin in Kigali, where Kigali International Airport receives flights from Europe, the Middle East and across Africa. From there you have two main options for reaching Nyungwe:
A reliable, comfortable 4×4 vehicle makes a big difference on a Rwanda safari. Kenlink Tours offers private vehicles with experienced driver-guides, and you can explore our car hire services if you prefer a flexible self-drive or chauffeured arrangement.
Accommodation around Nyungwe caters to every budget, and choosing the right location helps you make the most of your early start. The main lodging areas are around Gisakura on the western side of the park and near the eastern entrance at Kitabi, with further options near Lake Kivu at Rusizi.
We match your lodge to the chimp group you are tracking and your personal preferences, ensuring the shortest possible early-morning transfer.
Whether you have just a weekend or a full two weeks, there is a chimpanzee tracking safari in Rwanda to suit your schedule. Here are some of our most popular options:
Every Kenlink Tours itinerary is fully customisable. Tell us your interests, budget and travel dates, and we will design a trip that matches your style perfectly.
For most travellers, a chimpanzee tracking safari in Rwanda is not complete without a visit to the mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park, in the northwest of the country, protects the Rwandan section of the Virunga Mountains, a chain of dramatic dormant volcanoes and bamboo forests. It is home to several habituated gorilla families, and trekkers spend an hour watching these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Seeing both chimps and gorillas on the same trip reveals the fascinating contrast between the two great apes. Gorillas are calm, deliberate and family-focused, while chimps are noisy, agile and full of drama. Many visitors say the pairing is the ultimate primate safari. For background on the park, see this Volcanoes National Park overview.
If you would like a short gorilla-focused extension, our 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari and 3-Day Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park can easily be added before or after Nyungwe. The drive from Nyungwe to Volcanoes along the shores of Lake Kivu is one of the most scenic road journeys in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park also offers golden monkey tracking, a lively and colourful primate experience in the bamboo zone. Golden monkeys are endangered and found only in the Virunga region, and they are wonderfully photogenic as they leap between bamboo stems. Our 4-Day Rwanda-Uganda Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking tour includes this memorable activity.
Other highlights in the area include the hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and former Karisoke research site, the climb up Mount Bisoke to its crater lake, and cultural visits to local villages. After all the hiking, Lake Kivu provides the perfect place to unwind with boat trips, island visits, coffee tours and sunset views across the water.
Rwanda’s primates live in the mountains of the west, but the east of the country offers a completely different landscape. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah park and is home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Game drives reveal giraffes, zebras, hippos, many antelope species and superb birdlife, and boat trips on Lake Ihema bring you close to hippos and crocodiles.
Adding Akagera turns your chimpanzee tracking safari into a complete Rwanda holiday. Our 3-Day Akagera Game Drive Safari and the 5-Day Volcanoes Gorillas and Akagera Park Wildlife Safari are perfect extensions. For more on the park itself, see this Akagera National Park guide.
Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest, greenest and most welcoming capitals, and it deserves at least half a day of your time. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to understand Rwanda’s history and its inspiring journey of reconciliation, then explore lively craft markets, art galleries, coffee shops and restaurants. Our 1 Day Kigali City Tour is a great way to start or end your trip, and this Kigali City destination guide offers more ideas for your stay.
Travellers often ask whether they should track chimps in Rwanda or Uganda. Both countries offer excellent experiences, and the honest answer is that each has its own strengths.
For many travellers, the best option is to experience both countries. Our 5 Days Chimps and Gorilla Safari and our cross-border Uganda and Rwanda gorilla safaris show how easily the two destinations connect.
Rwanda and Uganda share a border and several easy crossing points, which makes a two-country primate safari straightforward to organise. You can fly into Kigali, track chimps in Nyungwe and gorillas in Volcanoes, and then continue into Uganda for Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale before flying home from Entebbe. This open-jaw routing avoids backtracking and saves time, as explained in this helpful article on beginning a tour in Kigali and ending in Entebbe.
For travellers with more time, our 10 Days Fantastic Tour in Rwanda and Uganda and the comprehensive 15-Day Rwanda–Uganda Primate and Big Five Safari Adventure cover chimpanzees, gorillas, golden monkeys, tree-climbing lions, boat cruises and much more in one seamless journey.
Photographing chimpanzees is rewarding but challenging. The forest can be dark, the chimps are often high above you, and they rarely sit still for long. These tips will help you come home with great images:
Rwanda is a safe and welcoming destination, but a few practical preparations will help your trip run smoothly:
Chimpanzees are classified as endangered, threatened by habitat loss, poaching and disease. Rwanda’s approach to conservation is among the most progressive in Africa, and tourism plays a central role in it. Permit fees directly fund park protection, ranger patrols, research and habitat restoration, while a share of park revenue is returned to surrounding communities through Rwanda’s tourism revenue-sharing programme. This gives local people a direct stake in protecting the forests.
By choosing a responsible operator, hiring local porters, buying crafts from community cooperatives and following the trekking rules, you help ensure that chimpanzees continue to thrive in Rwanda for generations to come. At Kenlink Tours, responsible travel is at the heart of every trip we design. You can learn more about our values on our About Us page.
Choosing the right safari partner makes all the difference to your experience. Here is why travellers trust Kenlink Tours for their Rwanda primate adventures:
Where can I see chimpanzees in Rwanda?
The main destination is Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwest, including the Cyamudongo forest section. Gishwati-Mukura National Park also has a smaller chimp population.
How much is a chimpanzee permit in Rwanda?
A chimp tracking permit in Nyungwe currently costs around US$150 per person for foreign non-residents, with lower rates for residents and East African citizens. Prices may change, so we confirm the current rate at the time of booking.
What is the minimum age for chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda?
Participants must be at least 16 years old.
How long does chimpanzee tracking take?
The full outing typically takes 2 to 6 hours, including up to one hour with the chimpanzees once they are found.
Are chimpanzee sightings guaranteed?
Sightings are never 100 percent guaranteed because chimps are wild and move freely, but success rates with habituated groups are high, especially in Cyamudongo, and trackers locate the chimps before you set out.
What is the best time for chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda?
The dry seasons from June to September and December to February offer the easiest hiking conditions, though tracking is possible all year round.
Can I do chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking on the same trip?
Yes. Many of our itineraries combine chimps in Nyungwe with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, and five days is enough to do both comfortably.
Is chimpanzee tracking difficult?
It can be moderately challenging because of Nyungwe’s steep terrain and the speed at which chimps move, but most reasonably fit travellers manage well, especially with the help of a porter.
Chimpanzee tracking safaris in Rwanda combine adventure, conservation and pure wonder in some of Africa’s most beautiful landscapes. From the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe and its famous canopy walk to the misty volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains and the sunny plains of Akagera, Rwanda offers an unforgettable variety of experiences within a compact, safe and welcoming country.
Whether you want a quick two-day chimp trip from Kigali, a week-long great apes adventure or a grand tour of Rwanda and Uganda, Kenlink Tours is ready to help you plan every detail. Browse our Rwanda safari packages, or get in touch with our travel experts today to secure your chimpanzee permits and start planning the primate safari of a lifetime.