Nyungwe Chimp Trekking & Canopy Walk: 2 Days from Kigali

Two Days Tracking Chimps Through Rwanda's Ancient Forest

You're picked up in Kigali and driven to Nyungwe, stopping at the King's Palace in Nyanza before reaching the park. Day one includes a 50-meter-high canopy walkway through the forest. Day two is a guided hike to track chimpanzees and spot smaller primates and forest birds. Meals, accommodation, permits, and all park fees are included; you return to Kigali by late afternoon on day two.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to Nyungwe and canopy walk

• Pick up from Kigali at 7AM
• Visit King's Palace in Nyanza
• Arrive at Nyungwe National Park
• Do the canopy walkway at 2PM

Day 2 — Chimpanzee trekking and return

• Early breakfast
• Transfer to reception center by 5AM
• Start chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest
• Spot various primates and birds
• Lunch at hotel
• Stop for coffee experience at Huye Mountain Tea
• Drive back to Kigali

The Experience

"The chimps don't come to you — you go into their world," our ranger said as we gathered at 4:30 AM outside the hotel in Kigali, still dark, still quiet. That's the whole thing right there. This isn't a drive-by safari where animals appear in the distance. You're hiking into Nyungwe National Park on foot, following a guide who knows where the troops move, how they feed, what the broken branches mean. The 2-day trip starts with a pickup at dawn and a drive south toward Butare, stopping first at the King's Palace in Nyanza — a real detour into Rwandan royal history before you even reach the forest. By 2 PM you're at the park entrance, and that same afternoon you walk the canopy walkway: a hanging platform 50 meters up, 200 meters long, strung between the tallest trees. You're not looking down at the forest from a vehicle. You're inside it, at the level where the birds live and the monkeys jump.

Day two is the main event. You're back at the reception center by 5 AM, meeting the park rangers who'll lead the trek into Cyamudongo forest. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe isn't guaranteed — the guides track them by sound and sign, and some mornings the hike is longer than others — but the forest itself is the point. You'll move through it slowly, and the rangers will point out the smaller primates: Hamlyn's monkeys, silver monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Angola colobus, olive baboons, and a dozen others. The birding is serious too; this is one of East Africa's richest bird forests, with Rwenzori turacos and forest hornbills moving through the canopy. Lunch happens back at the lodge, and then you drive back to Kigali, arriving in the late afternoon.

The whole trip is built around what you don't have to arrange: the chimp permits (included), the park rangers (included), the canopy walk access, your meals, and a night at Maravilla Kivu resort on a full board basis. The driver picks you up at your Kigali hotel at 7 AM on day one, and the pace is set — you're not negotiating timing or trying to figure out where to eat. What you're trading is early mornings and a full day of walking, but that's the only way to move through a forest this old and see what actually lives there.

What’s included

Your 2 days include hotel pickup in Kigali at 7 AM, transport to Nyungwe National Park with a stop at the King's Palace in Nyanza, chimp trekking permits, a ranger-guided forest hike on day two, the canopy walkway experience 50 meters above the trees, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), one night's accommodation at Maravilla Kivu resort on full board basis, and park entry and parking fees. You return to Kigali by late afternoon on day two.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Silverbird Tours Agency

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to trek into an active forest and see wildlife on foot rather than from a vehicle, and who can manage early mornings and several hours of hiking — the small group size and ranger expertise are what make spotting primates and birds in this dense forest actually possible.

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Top questions

How long is the chimpanzee trek each day?

The hike duration varies depending on where the chimps are located, but expect several hours of walking in the forest. Day two starts at 5 AM from the reception center.

What if we don't see chimpanzees?

Sightings are not guaranteed — the guides track them by sound and movement. You'll still see other primates and birds throughout the hike, and the canopy walk on day one is a separate activity.

Is the canopy walkway safe?

Yes, it's a fixed hanging platform 50 meters above the ground and 200 meters long. It's designed for visitors and regularly maintained by the park.

What's included in the price?

Chimp permits, canopy walk entry, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), one night accommodation at Maravilla Kivu resort on full board, park ranger guides, and parking fees.

What time do we leave Kigali?

Pickup is at 7 AM on day one from your hotel in Kigali. Day two starts with a 4:30 AM pickup for the trek.

How far is Nyungwe from Kigali?

The drive is roughly 2–3 hours south, with a stop at the King's Palace in Nyanza along the way.

Can children go on this tour?

The trek involves several hours of hiking and early mornings. Children should be comfortable walking for extended periods in forest terrain.

What should we bring?

Sturdy hiking boots, rain gear (the forest is wet year-round), binoculars for birding, and a camera. The park is cool and humid.