Nyungwe Forest National Park, in the far south-west of Rwanda, is one of the oldest and most biodiverse rainforests in Africa, and it holds a population of wild chimpanzees that can be tracked on foot with a ranger. This two-day trip from Kigali is built around that experience. You travel south on day one, sleep near the park, and set out before dawn on day two, because chimpanzees are easiest to find when they are still near their night nests and calling to each other. Rangers and trackers go ahead to locate the group, and you follow on a forest trail that can be a gentle path in some sectors and steep, muddy slope in others. When you reach the chimpanzees, you spend a limited time watching them feed, groom, argue and travel through the canopy. Nyungwe is also home to many other primates, including colobus monkeys that move in large troops, and to hundreds of bird species, so even a quiet morning on the trail is rewarding.
Why choose Nyungwe
Gorilla trekking gets the headlines, but chimpanzee tracking has its own character. Chimpanzees are fast, vocal and always on the move, so the experience is more about hearing a distant pant-hoot, hurrying up a slope and then standing under a fig tree while the group feeds above you.
Sightings are not guaranteed, because the forest is huge and the animals roam widely, but the trackers are skilled and success rates are generally good. Trekking takes place in a protected forest where numbers per group are limited, so the atmosphere stays quiet and respectful.
The journey
Nyungwe is roughly five hours by road from Kigali, which is why this trip is sold over two days rather than one. The drive passes through Huye and the tea country of the south-west, and the road climbs through hills into the cool forest zone. Most itineraries include a guide and transport, with a night in a lodge or hotel near the forest.
Park fees and the chimpanzee permit are often built into the price, but inclusions vary between operators, so check what is covered before you book. Early starts are the norm, and breakfast is usually packed or eaten before first light.
On the trail
Wear sturdy boots with good grip, long trousers, a rain jacket and a hat. The forest is wet for much of the year, temperatures are cool in the early morning, and the ground is often slippery. A walking stick can help, and porters are available at the trailhead if you want to travel light. Keep a respectful distance from the animals, avoid eating or drinking near them, and follow your ranger's instructions. Visitors with colds or other illnesses are asked not to approach, since primates are vulnerable to human infection.
Combining with other sights
Many travellers pair the chimpanzees with the canopy walk, which is a separate walkway high over the forest floor and a good option for the afternoon of the same day. The trip also fits neatly with the King's Palace at Nyanza and the ethnographic museum at Huye on the way down or back, and with Lake Kivu on a longer loop. If you only have a few days in Rwanda, gorillas and Kigali usually take priority, but with five or more days this is the trip that rounds out the country.
What to expect
The experience
A two-day guided trip from Kigali, with a night near Nyungwe and an early-morning chimpanzee tracking walk led by park rangers.
Best time
The drier months, June to September and December to February, when trails are firmer. Chimpanzees can be tracked year round.
How long
Two days, with long drives either side and a morning of tracking that can last anywhere from one to several hours.
Tips
Start at first light, wear waterproof boots and a rain jacket, bring snacks and water, and confirm whether park fees and the permit are included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a second great primate experience in Rwanda and enjoy forest walking.
- Families
- Best for fit older children; there is a minimum age for tracking, so check with the operator before booking.
- Couples
- A memorable shared adventure, ideally combined with a night in a forest lodge.
- Pair with
- The Nyungwe canopy walk, the King's Palace at Nyanza and a gorilla trek in the volcanoes.
- Time needed
- Two days, or three if you add the canopy walk and a slower return.
Good questions
Are chimpanzee sightings guaranteed?+
No. These are wild animals in a very large forest, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the trackers follow the groups daily and success is common.
How far is Nyungwe from Kigali?+
It is roughly five hours by road each way, which is why the trip is usually sold as two days with a night near the forest.
How hard is the tracking?+
It depends on where the chimpanzees are that morning. Some walks are easy, others involve steep, muddy slopes, so a reasonable level of fitness helps.
Is the park permit included?+
It varies by operator. Check the inclusions when you book and confirm the current park fees with the Rwanda Development Board if unsure.
Can I see the canopy walk on the same trip?+
Often yes. The canopy walk is a short drive from the main trailheads and many itineraries add it on the same day or the day after tracking.
