2-Day Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking: Rainforest & Canopy

Track chimpanzees at dawn, then walk the forest canopy at dusk

A 2-day tour from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park combines chimpanzee trekking with an overnight stay in Africa's oldest rainforest. Day one is a 4.5-hour drive southwest through Rwanda's rolling hills, with optional stops at cultural sites, followed by a canopy walk or waterfall visit and dinner at a forest lodge. Day two starts at 5am for chimpanzee tracking (an hour observing their family groups and daily behavior), then lunch and return to Kigali by afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Transfer and optional canopy walk

• Pick up at 9AM
• Drive to Nyungwe National Park
• Optional stop at cultural sites
• Arrive at Nyungwe National Park
• Optional canopy walk or waterfall visit
• Check in at forest lodge
• Dinner at the lodge
• Relax or nature walk to tea plantation

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and return

• Early morning pick up at 5AM
• Briefing at park reception
• Chimpanzee trekking for one hour
• Learn about chimpanzee behavior
• Lunch after trekking
• Drive back to Kigali
• Drop off at your place

The experience

The drive from Kigali takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, heading southwest through Rwanda's terraced green hills. Your guide picks you up at 9am and can stop at any view that catches your eye. The road itself is part of the experience. On the way, you have the option to visit the king's palace, the Ethnographic Museum, or genocide memorials: each a short detour the guide can arrange. You arrive at Nyungwe in the late afternoon.

Your first evening offers a choice: canopy walk suspended above the forest floor, a waterfall visit, or a nature walk through the tea plantation that borders the lodge. Dinner comes at the resort, and you sleep facing the forest itself. The chimpanzee trek begins before dawn on day two. At 5am, your guide collects you for a short briefing at the park reception, then drives to the trek's starting point. When you locate a chimpanzee group, you spend an hour with them: watching how they move, feed, care for their young, and interact as a family. Your guide explains their behavior and social structure. After the trek, you have lunch, then the drive back to Kigali ends at your accommodation by afternoon.

The tour includes all transport in a comfortable 4x4, your professional guide in English or French, meals (lunch and dinner on day one, lunch on day two), and overnight accommodation at the lodge. Park entry fees and the chimpanzee permit ($250 per person) are separate and paid on arrival. Pickup and drop-off are from your Kigali location or airport.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from Kigali.
• 4x4 transport throughout.
• professional guide in English or French.
• overnight lodge accommodation facing the forest.
• lunch and dinner on day one, lunch on day two.
• all tour assistance and logistics.

Options for this experience

2 options

2 Days Cultur-Canopy-WaterfallGuide in English or French · 08:00Includes pickup

Chimp+ culture+canpy+waterfallGuide in English or French · 08:00Full board in a comfortable 4x4 car with pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 to 90 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Vista Safaris

Is this one for you?The early-morning chimpanzee trek and overnight forest stay suit travelers with moderate fitness who want to see the primates in their most active hours and experience Nyungwe's oldest rainforest at dawn and dusk. Minimum age is 15, and the trek involves hiking on forest trails, so steady legs and cardiovascular fitness matter.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is chimpanzee trekking like in Nyungwe?

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe means hiking into the forest with your guide to locate a habituated group, then spending an hour observing them in their natural behavior: feeding, playing, caring for young, and moving through the canopy. Your guide explains their family structure and social dynamics as you watch.

How far is Nyungwe from Kigali, and what is the drive like?

Nyungwe is 4 hours and 30 minutes southwest of Kigali by road. The drive passes through Rwanda's distinctive rolling hills and green terraced farmland, with stops available at any scenic spot or cultural site your guide recommends.

Can I visit cultural sites on the way to Nyungwe?

Yes, the route allows optional stops at the king's palace, the Ethnographic Museum, or genocide memorials. Your guide can arrange these short visits. They are not included in the standard itinerary but fit within the day's schedule.

What happens on the evening of day one?

After arriving at the lodge, you can choose between a canopy walk above the forest, a waterfall visit, or a nature walk through the tea plantation. Dinner is at the resort, and you stay overnight at accommodation facing the Nyungwe Forest.

What time does the chimpanzee trek start, and how early do I need to wake up?

The trek starts at 5am. Your guide picks you up from the lodge before dawn to arrive at the park reception for a briefing, then drives to the trek's starting point. The hour with the chimpanzees happens in early morning when they are most active.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from your Kigali location, all transport in a 4x4 vehicle, a professional guide, overnight lodge accommodation, lunch and dinner on day one, and lunch on day two. Park entry fees and the chimpanzee permit ($250 per person) are paid separately at the park.