2-Day Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trek & Canopy Walk from Kigali

Summary

Nyungwe Forest Chimpanzee Safari with Canopy Walk & Tea Experience

If you want real wildlife encounters—chimps in their own world—and love forest walks with epic views from above the trees, this Nyungwe trip packs it all in. Plus you’ll get local culture at Nyanza’s King’s Palace and taste Rwanda’s famous tea along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We left Kigali just as the city was waking up—sky still a bit gray, air cool enough for a light jacket. Our driver, Jean-Claude, knew every twist of the road to Nyungwe National Park. About halfway, we pulled into Nyanza for a quick tour of the King's Palace. The place has this quiet energy; cows with long horns grazed lazily while our guide told us stories about Rwandan kings. You can actually smell fresh grass and hear the distant clatter of cowbells—tiny details that stick with you.

By early afternoon, we reached Nyungwe. The canopy walkway was something else: 50 meters up, swaying just enough to make your heart race. Birds zipped past—one looked like a flash of blue and red (our guide said it was a Rwenzori Turaco). You get these moments where all you hear is wind moving through leaves and maybe a monkey chattering somewhere below. We spent the night at Maravilla Kivu resort—simple but cozy, and dinner tasted extra good after that long drive.

The next morning started before sunrise—honestly, I barely woke up in time for breakfast at 4:30am. At the park reception, rangers handed out walking sticks and gave us a quick briefing. The forest felt alive: damp earth underfoot, birds calling overhead. Tracking chimps isn’t easy—they move fast—but when we finally spotted them swinging above us, it felt unreal. Along the way, we saw red-tailed monkeys and even caught sight of an owl-faced monkey peeking through branches.

Afterwards, we stopped for lunch back at the hotel and then made our way toward Huye for a coffee break at one of those mountain tea estates—the smell alone wakes you up better than any alarm clock. By late afternoon, we were back on the road to Kigali, tired but honestly happy we’d done it all in just two days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to Nyungwe & Canopy Walk

• Visit King's Palace in Nyanza
• Drive to Nyungwe National Park
• Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe

Day 2 — Chimpanzee Trekking & Return

• Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest
• Coffee experience at Huye Mountain Tea
• Lunch at hotel
• Drive back to Kigali

Top questions

How early do I need to wake up for chimp trekking?

You’ll need to be ready by around 4:30am since tracking starts early to catch chimps when they’re most active.

Is the canopy walk safe if I’m afraid of heights?

The walkway is secure with guides leading each group—you might feel nervous at first but most people find it exciting once they’re on it.

What kind of wildlife will I see besides chimpanzees?

You’ll likely spot several monkey species (like red-tailed or colobus), plus colorful birds such as turacos and hornbills.

Are meals included during the tour?

Yes—all meals are covered from dinner on day one through lunch on day two.

What’s included

Your trip covers chimp permits, canopy walk fees, all meals (breakfasts, dinners), full board accommodation at Maravilla Kivu resort, park entry fees, and guided transfers between Kigali and Nyungwe—including stops at King’s Palace and Huye tea estate. Just bring comfy shoes and some curiosity!