2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari in Rwanda: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk Experience 2026 Guide
2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari takes you to Nyungwe Forest National Park, southwestern Rwanda, for you to take part in chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walk.
Nyungwe National Park is one of the most pristine national parks in Rwanda, with a lush rainforest comprising 13 distinct species of primates, over 320 bird species, 1070 unique plant species and about 38 species of reptiles that make it an exceptional safari destination.
On 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari, you will also come across other primates, including red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys; plant species; and birds, to mention but a few.
Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in 2004 and extends up to 1,000 square kilometers. It largely consists of a vast rainforest, grasslands, swamps, bamboo, and bogs.
The 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari will start and end in Kigali which is 225 kilometers about 4-5 hour’s drive.
Things to expect on 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari
- A magical encounter with chimpanzees.
- Canopy walk.
- A glimpse at a variety of primates, birds and many morel
- Bottled water
- Transportation in a comfortable 4-wheel-drive safari car.
Safari highlight of 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and return to Kigali
Detailed itinerary of 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park for Chimpanzee Trekking
Start your trip with an early morning breakfast at your preferred safari lodge, and at 6:30 am, meet one of our driver guides who will brief you about your tour.
After, you will start your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park, about a 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali, the capital city, in a good and comfortable 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle.
En route, you will have a stopover at Nyanza King’s Palace – a historical and cultural landmark in Rwanda and after, drive to Nyungwe National Park to check in at Uwinka Visitor Center.
In the afternoon, you will join other visitors for a briefing from park official before you embark on a canopy walk.
The canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest comes with breathtaking views of scenic hills, Lake Kivu, Kibira National Park in Burundi, and astonishing sights at a variety of primates, bird species, and others.
Travel time: 4-5 hours
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation choices
Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury)
Nyungwe Top View Lodge (Midrange)
Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and return to Kigali
Get up early in the morning to prepare and take tea or coffee at your lodge of choice in Nyungwe National Park.
Depending on where your safari lodge is, you will be picked up by a driver guide who will drive you to Uwinka Visitor Centre in Nyungwe Forest National Park to have a briefing on the set rules and regulations to be followed while on the chimpanzee trek.
A briefing usually begins at 7:00 am, but you are expected to be at Uwinka Visitor Centre early enough, and the actual trek starts at 8:00 am. You will be accompanied by an experienced park ranger guide, and your adventure will last for about 2-4 hours.
However, depending on the number of visitors, you can be divided into 2 groups – one can trek and begin their chimpanzee adventures at Uwinka Visitor Centre, and the other can begin at the Cyamudongo area.
A chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park is not about viewing chimpanzees, but it also allows you to see other primates, including the black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and red-tailed monkeys.
Rwenzori colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, and olive baboons, as well as several forest birds and many more.
Upon finding chimpanzees, you have only an hour to have a face-to-face encounter with them, take their photos, and learn about their unique behaviors and body gestures.
After, return to the lodge to have lunch and then check out, ready to embark on a return journey to Kigali, about a 4-5-hour drive.
This marks the end of your 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari.
The 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari includes
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Canopy walk
- Bottled water
- Transportation in a 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle
- Full-time English-speaking driver guide
- Relevant government taxes
The 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari excludes
- Insurance
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses like cigarettes, airfares, tips, alcoholic drinks, telephone calls, laundry services, extra accommodation, activities outside the travel plan and many more.
What to pack for your 2 Days Nyungwe Forest safari
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof daypack
- Insect repellent
- Sun hat/sunglasses
- Long-sleeved shirts/t-shirt/trousers
- First aid kit
- Camera with no flashlight
Rules and regulations for chimpanzee tracking
- Keep the distance of 7 meters at all times away from chimpanzees.
- Do not go to track chimpanzees when you are sick/not feeling well. In case you are sneezing, cover your nose and mouse when you are coughing.
- You have only one hour to have a face to face encounter with chimpanzees.
- No flashlight or camera is allowed when taking pictures of chimpanzees.
- Keep within your group and never surround chimpanzees.
Best time to visit Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is an all-year-round destination, but it is best to visit it during the dry season, which starts in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January and February.
The dry season is ideal for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park.
However, the wet season is also the best time to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park for birdwatching.
The wet season in Nyungwe National Park begins from March-May and October-November.
How to get to Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is 225 kilometers away from Kigali, the capital city, which is a 4-5 hour drive.
To get to Nyungwe National Park for your 2 days Nyungwe safari, you can use the bus or rent a car.
By bus, you can start your journey from Nyabugogo Bus Park in Kigali to Ruzizi, and you get off at Uwinka Visitor Center.
This may take you about 8 hours.
However, you can shorten your journey by hiring a vehicle with a reliable tour operator, and this can last you about 4-5 hours to drive from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park.
Alternatively, take a flight from Kigali International Airport using RwandAir to Kamembe International Airport, which is 32 kms away from Nyungwe National Park.