Nyungwe Forest National Park Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park is located near the Kivu Lake at the border of Rwanda and Burundi in the southern part of Rwanda. It was first a forest reserve before it was turned into a National park in the year 2004. The National Park is covered with the Nyungwe forest which is believed to be the only largest remaining montane forest in Africa. The Nyungwe forest which is filled with quite a large number of unique trees is the one stop Centre for most botanical fanatics with tree species like the podocarps, the Prinaria exelsium, the Carapa, Macaranga among others. These act as homes to some of the bird species in the country and a few animals that are found in the Park.

Nyungwe Forest National Park offers chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks, zipline adventures, and primate safaris across 13 species, with activity permits starting from $40 per person for international visitors in 2026. Chimpanzee trekking, the park’s most popular activity, costs $150 per person for non-residents, while the iconic canopy walkway runs at $40 to $60 depending on the operator and season. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in September 2023, covering 1,019 square kilometres of montane rainforest in southwestern Rwanda, near the borders of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Managed jointly by African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board under a 20-year agreement signed in 2020, the park is one of the largest and oldest intact rainforests in central and east Africa.

Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Nyungwe Forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest is the park’s flagship activity and Rwanda’s primary site for tracking the eastern chimpanzee in its natural habitat. Two habituated chimpanzee communities live in the park: a larger group of around 60 individuals in the main forest, and a smaller community of approximately 30 in the adjacent Cyamudongo Forest. Trekking departs early in the morning from three starting points: Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura. Once trackers locate the chimps, visitors are permitted one hour of observation.

The chimpanzee trekking permit costs $150 per person per day for international non-residents in 2026. EAC forest residents pay $75, while Rwandan and EAC citizens pay significantly less. A minimum group size of two people applies, meaning solo travellers pay for two permits. Sightings are not guaranteed, as chimpanzees are active and the forest canopy is dense, but the park maintains two habituated communities specifically for visitor access.

A more intensive option, the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, is based in the Gisovu area in the northern sector of the park. This full-day programme involves spending the day with trackers and researchers observing chimpanzee behaviour, feeding patterns, and individual identification. A maximum of four visitors are permitted per session. This experience is suited for visitors with a strong interest in primate ecology who want extended time with the animals beyond the standard one-hour window.

Canopy Walkway Safaris in Nyungwe

The Nyungwe canopy walkway is East Africa’s first forest canopy bridge and one of the park’s most photographed experiences. The walkway is suspended approximately 70 metres above the forest floor and stretches around 160 metres in length, providing a view from above the tree canopy across ridgelines and valleys. The trail begins at the Uwinka Visitor Centre, following the Igishigishigi trail to the bridge. Four departure slots run daily at 8am, 10am, 1pm, and 3pm.

The canopy walk permit costs $40 to $60 per person for international visitors in 2026, depending on the booking source. From the walkway, sightings of Rwenzori colobus monkeys, various bird species, and the distant Virunga Volcanoes are possible on clear days, though not guaranteed. Rain gear is recommended regardless of season, as Nyungwe is a montane rainforest with variable conditions even in dry months.

Zipline Safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe’s zipline is the longest in East Africa, stretching 1,935 metres across three distinct sections of forest. Each section is named after one of the park’s resident primates: the monkey, chimpanzee, and gorilla lines. The zipline begins near Gisakura and runs through the canopy, providing aerial perspectives of the forest that are not accessible from ground trails. The three sections vary in length and angle, delivering different experiences across the run.

The zipline can be combined with the canopy walkway as a half-day activity package, which is a common option for visitors on day trips from Kigali or Lake Kivu. The activity is operated by the park and bookings can be made at the Uwinka or Gisakura visitor centres. The best conditions for the zipline are during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February, when mist and rain are less likely to interrupt visibility.

Primate Safaris Beyond Chimpanzees in Nyungwe

Nyungwe Forest holds 13 primate species, accounting for roughly 25 percent of Africa’s total primate diversity. This makes it one of the continent’s most concentrated primate habitats, distinct from Volcanoes National Park where mountain gorilla trekking dominates. Rwenzori black-and-white colobus monkeys are the most commonly encountered, with troops of up to 400 individuals documented in the park. Tracking permits for colobus monkeys cost $60 per person for non-residents and can be combined with other activities on the same day.

Other primate species include L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, mona monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. Several of these species are regularly spotted along the park road as vehicles pass through, without any trekking permit required. Nocturnal primates, including the greater bush baby and the eastern needle-clawed galago, are the target of the park’s dedicated night walk programme, which runs from 5:30pm to 9pm at a cost of $40 per person for non-residents.

Birding Safaris in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe is one of Africa’s premier birdwatching destinations, with over 300 recorded species including approximately 29 endemic to the Albertine Rift. The park’s position at the meeting of the Congo and Nile watersheds, combined with its range of habitats from dense forest to marshland and open ridgelines, produces exceptional species diversity. Key species sought by birders include the Rwenzori turaco, red-collared babbler, Grauer’s swamp warbler, blue-headed sunbird, and lemon dove.

Guided birding walks depart from Uwinka and Gisakura with specialist bird guides. The Kamiranzovu Marsh trail is particularly productive for wetland species. Birding permits are included within the standard park entry fee. The wet season months of March to May and October to November, while less comfortable for hiking, are often the most productive for birding: migratory species arrive, fruiting is at its peak, and bird activity is generally higher.

Hiking Trails and Waterfall Safaris in Nyungwe

Nyungwe has more than 13 marked hiking trails, ranging from short easy walks to full-day routes reaching the park’s highest point. The Isumo Waterfall trail is 10.6 kilometres and takes approximately four to five hours return from Gisakura, passing through tea estates, tree fern zones, and primary forest to reach a significant waterfall. The Bigugu Trail leads to Mount Bigugu, the park’s summit at 2,950 metres, which is also considered by some researchers to be the most remote source of the Nile River.

The Ngabwe trail is 4.7 kilometres and suited to families or visitors with limited time, passing through forest vegetation zones where primates are regularly spotted along the path. The Karamba trail covers four kilometres through flat, open woodland. Standard day nature walks are included in the park entry fee, meaning visitors do not need to pay additional activity fees to access most of the trail network. Guides can be hired at the visitor centres and are required for groups of more than eight people.

Nyungwe Forest Safari Costs and Entry Fees in 2026

The Nyungwe Forest National Park entry fee covers all standard day nature walks and most marked trails. The fee is structured to encourage longer stays: the rate applies for the first night, reduces by 50 percent for the second and third nights, and is waived from the fourth through seventh nights. Activity permits for specialised experiences such as chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks, and primate tracking are charged separately and on top of the entry fee.

All permits must be booked in advance through the Rwanda Development Board website, at Uwinka or Gisakura visitor centres, or through a licensed Rwandan tour operator. Payment is accepted in USD cash or by card at most points. A minimum group size of two people applies to most activity permits, which affects solo travellers who must pay for two places.

Best Time to Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest is open year-round, but conditions vary significantly by season. The dry seasons, running from June to September and from December to February, provide the most comfortable trekking conditions. Trails are less slippery, the canopy walk offers clearer views, and the zipline is less likely to be interrupted by heavy rain. These months are recommended for visitors prioritising canopy walks, long hikes, waterfall trails, and photography from ridge viewpoints.

An important consideration: the wet season, despite its challenges for hiking, can make chimpanzee trekking more productive. When fruit is abundant, chimpanzees tend to concentrate in smaller areas and move less, which can make locating them faster. Visitors focused specifically on chimpanzee time, rather than hiking comfort, sometimes prefer March to May for this reason. Pack rain gear and sturdy waterproof boots regardless of the month visited, as Nyungwe is a rainforest and showers can occur at any time.

Where to Stay Near Nyungwe Forest National Park

Accommodation for Nyungwe safaris is concentrated around Gisakura, near the western park entrance, and at Uwinka in the park’s centre. The One and Only Nyungwe House is the park’s only five-star lodge, positioned on the edge of the forest within a working tea plantation in the Nyamasheke district. The property features 22 rooms and suites across five wooden villas, with private decks overlooking the forest canopy. Facilities include an infinity pool, spa, fitness centre, and a restaurant serving Rwandan and international cuisine. It is the closest luxury option to the park boundary.

Mid-range visitors use Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, which offers panoramic views of the forest and Lake Kivu from a hilltop position, and is a practical base for day activities. The Gisakura Guest House is the main budget option near the western park entrance, within easy reach of the chimp trekking and canopy walk departure points. Uwinka campsite and guesthouse inside the park provides basic accommodation for visitors wanting to stay within the park boundaries, with reduced entry fees applicable for multi-night stays. All three accommodation tiers are connected to the main Kigali to Cyangugu road, which passes through the park.

How long is the drive from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest?

The drive from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park takes approximately five to six hours along the main road south via Huye (Butare). The route passes through terraced hills and tea plantations, and the road is well-maintained and paved throughout. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for comfort, particularly during the wet season. Alternatively, domestic flights connect Kigali to Kamembe Airport near Rusizi, from where the park is a further one to two hours by road.

Do you need a permit to visit Nyungwe Forest?

A park entry fee is required for all visitors and covers access to standard nature walk trails. Separate activity permits are required for chimpanzee trekking, the canopy walkway, colobus monkey trekking, guided birding, and night walks. Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and should be booked in advance, particularly during the dry season from June to September when demand is highest. Solo travellers should note the minimum two-person group requirement for most activity permits.

Is Nyungwe Forest a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. Nyungwe Forest National Park was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 19 September 2023, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh. It is the first site in Rwanda to receive this designation. The inscription recognises the park’s outstanding biodiversity, including its 13 primate species, over 300 bird species, and status as one of Africa’s oldest and largest intact montane rainforests.

Can chimpanzee sightings be guaranteed in Nyungwe?

Chimpanzee sightings are not guaranteed. The park maintains two habituated communities specifically for visitor access, and trackers begin locating the chimps early each morning before visitors set out. However, the chimpanzees are wild animals in a dense montane forest and their movements are unpredictable. Success rates are generally high during both dry and wet seasons, though the wet season is sometimes considered better for finding chimps in concentrated areas due to abundant food supply.

How many days should you spend in Nyungwe Forest?

Two to three nights is sufficient for most visitors. That time typically allows for one chimpanzee trek, the canopy walk, and at least one additional activity such as a waterfall hike, colobus monkey walk, or evening night walk. Keen birders and serious hikers benefit from an extra day, as weather can limit certain activities on any given morning. The park’s multi-night entry fee discount also makes a stay of three or more nights more cost-effective.

Getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park in 2026

The main access route to Nyungwe Forest National Park is by road from Kigali, a drive of approximately five to six hours via the RN1 highway south to Huye, then west towards Cyangugu. The road passes through the park itself, with the Uwinka Visitor Centre accessible directly from the main highway. Most visitors either self-drive or arrange a driver-guide transfer. The park’s location between Kigali and Lake Kivu means Nyungwe slots naturally into a Rwanda itinerary that combines it with Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking in the north or Akagera National Park game drives in the east.

The faster alternative for visitors on tighter schedules is a domestic flight from Kigali to Kamembe Airport in the Rusizi district, a forty-minute flight, followed by a one to two-hour road transfer to the park’s Gisakura entrance. Rwanda’s visa-on-arrival policy and e-visa system serve most nationalities. The nearest town with full services is Kamembe, approximately 54 kilometres west of the park. Nyungwe is managed by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, and tourist services including permit booking, guided activities, and accommodation reservations are coordinated through the RDB website or authorised tour operators.