Nyungwe forest national park; Chimpanzee tracking, Canopy walk & birding

Top Nyungwe forest national park safari

Nyungwe forest is Africa’s oldest tropical rainforest located in southern Rwanda, and is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. A quarter of all Africa’s primates, 13 species, are found here, including the common chimpanzee. Birding at Nyungwe forest national park is also a gem for birder’s paradise with around 300 recorded species, nearly 30 of which are endemic to the Albertine rift region with several plant species such as orchids.

In 2021, 1,277 hectares of indigenous forest regeneration was assisted through the removal of non-native plants. With plenty of rainfall, Nyungwe forest is also the major catchment area in Rwanda and supplies water to 70% of the country. A ridge running through the forest forms a watershed between the drainage systems of the Nile and Congo . A spring on the slopes of Mt. Bigugu is said to be the furthest source of the Nile, the world’s longest river.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest national park

Nyungwe forest national park is home to chimpanzees as well a host of monkeys -colobus, golden, L’hoest, owl faced, dent’s, blue and vervet – alongside olive baboons as well as the nocturnal potto and bush-babies. Sociable creatures, chimpanzees live in extended communities and move around every day, foraging for food and occasionally hunting smaller mammals. They build fresh nests in the trees each night. Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest national park costs $150 per person. Nyungwe forest chimpanzee park has 2 habituated tracked chimpanzee families which are; Uwinka group with around 60 individuals and Cyamudongo group with around 30 individuals.

Nyungwe forest national park safari packages

6 DAYS NYUNGWE- AKAGERA SAFARI

One week/ 6 days Nyungwe forest and Akagera national park safari in Rwanda is top tourist bucket list adventure. Africa's big 5 (lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards) and chimpanzee tracking are the greatest highlights of this safari itinerary. The itinerary gives you 2 days in both Akagera and Nyungwe forest national parks giving enough time to participate in various activities for example canopy walks, game drives, air balloons, bird watching, hiking, boat cruises etc.

23 DAYS NYUNGWE- RWANDA- UGANDA- KENYA SAFARI

A long 23 days/ 3 weeks East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda & Tanzania) safari for slow travelers gives you a chance to explore Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda. One of the most exciting experience on this safari is the double chimpanzee tracking done in Rwanda's Nyungwe forest and Uganda's Kibale forest. Furthermore, the double chimpanzee tracking comes along the great wildebeest sightings, bird watching, golden monkey tracking, mountain gorilla trekking, Murchison falls, source of the Nile and tropical white sand beach holidays.

15 DAYS NYUNGWE- RWANDA- UGANDA SAFARI

With 1 week Rwanda and 1 week Uganda on a 2 weeks multinational tour, Nyungwe national park and its activities pick a spot on this amazing safari. 15 days Rwanda- Uganda safari guarantees a double chimpanzee trekking experience in both countries. Tracking chimpanzees will come along a double a mountain gorilla trekking expedition in the Volcanoes and the Bwindi Impenetrable forest in both countries. Other activities include boat cruises, bird watching, Africa's big 5 (lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards) game drives, city tours, culture and tradition diversity etc.

EXPLORE NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Nature walks through Nyungwe forest national park are some of the most exciting Rwanda excursion. Nyungwe is one of Africa's oldest tropical forest ecosystems and the largest water catchment area in the great lakes region. Some geologists believe, Nyungwe is the farthest source of the Nile river. While on the canopy & nature walks, you have sightings at rivers and waterfalls, numerous bird species, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, butterflies and more than 1,000 old tree species.

Activities done in Nyungwe forest national park

Chimpanzee habituation Experience (CHE); Requires a maximum of 4 people going out with professional guides spending a full day with trackers while studying chimpanzee behavior, fruiting patterns, diet and data recording while they are in their natural habitat. Chimpanzee habituation experience costs $200 per person on safari.
Birding/ Bird watching; The bird watching in Nyungwe forest national park is among the Africa’s top birding destinations with 322 bird species including red-collared Babbler and other Albertine Rift endemic species. Butterflies are also a common sight with at least 120 species.
Canopy walk experience; Three suspension bridges, 70 meters above the forest floor and spanning more than 120 meters long, will provide you with unparalleled views of the rainforest and mist-covered hills in the distance. The walkway is accessible from the Igishigishigi trail, and visitors are accompanied by guides.
Hiking & waterfall trails; Nyungwe forest chimpanzee park has 15 trails to take in the stunning ancient forests, rugged landscapes, waterfalls and biodiversity of animals and avian species. For stunning waterfalls, hikers have two options; the approximately 17 meter high Kamiranzovu waterfall is the park’s biggest and joins the river towards lake Kivu. Experience the Ndambarare waterfall by a leisurely walk through the flat terrain of the tea fields, followed by a romp through a lush forest.
Nature & community walks; There are a variety of local community experiences that can make your visit to Nyungwe forest a special one. They include making handcrafts, tea plantation tours and picking, bee-keeping and honey making. These experiences are offered by those living around the park, residents who contribute much to Rwanda’s conservation.
Night walks; Using specialized head lamps and torches are offered for night walks starting from 5:30 pm to 8 or 9:00 pm along with professional guides.

Nyungwe forest national park trails

Moderate trails; Umuyove trail, Ndamabare trail, Irebero trail, Kamiranzovu trail & Umugote trail
Easy trails; Buhoro trail, Igishigishigi trail

Best time to visit Nyungwe forest national park

Nyungwe forest is visited throughout the year round with the dry seasons being a better time than the wet seasons. During the dry seasons (June to September and December to March) the tracking and hiking trails are dry and easy to walk over. During the wet seasons studded hiking boots, raincoats and walking sticks would help to easy maneuver over the wet trails in the forest while tracking chimpanzees and birding.

How to get to Nyungwe forest national park

Nyungwe forest is located in southern Rwanda and can only be accessed by road on a 4-5 hours drive from Rwanda’s capital city Kigali.

Lodges where to stay while at Nyungwe forest national park

One & only Nyungwe

The One&Only Nyungwe house is a luxury staycation destination in Nyungwe forest national park and gives the best serene safari staycation experience while out in Nyungwe forest for a chimpanzee tracking tour.

One&Only Nyungwe house has its rates starting from $2,540 for a low season and $3,770 for high per person.

Nyungwe Nziza lodge

Nyungwe Nziza lodge is located at -2.53055° S. 29.40811° E in Nyungwe forest national park have the park’s best sightings and serene feeling of the forest. While ay Nyungwe Nziza lodge, you will be able to access all park activities like chimpanzee tracking, bird watching, canopy walks, hiking and much more.

The Nyungwe Nziza lodge offers safari staycation options from single occupants to families of up to 6 people with rates starting from $90- $200 per person.

Nyungwe top view hill lodge

Located at -2.43180° S, 29.08985° E, Nyungwe Top view hill lodge is a mid-range to luxury safari staycation lodge while on a chimpanzee tracking safari in Nyungwe forest national park.

Nyungwe top view hill lodge offers a number of staycation room options which are;

Single rooms starting at $240
Double rooms starting at $354
Triple rooms starting at $520

Chimpanzee lodge

Chimpanzee lodge is located on the park’s outskirts having great sightings overlooking Nyungwe forest as you you enjoy a cool natural breeze flowing from the tropical forest.

The chimpanzee lodge offers along its amenities different staycation options such as;

Single rooms starting at $244
Double/ twin rooms starting at $452
Triple rooms starting at $723