Nyungwe Forest National Park

Quick Guide To Nyungwe Forest National Park

African safaris are often known for game drives but when we speak of Nyungwe forest national park; several safari options arise; from canopy walks; to primate tracking, tropical waterfalls, camping, and hiking nature walks.

Park Location

Anyone that has been to the Rwenzori Mountains, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Ngorongoro national park among several other East African attractions has heard of the Albertine rift valley. Nyungwe forest national park is one of those other attractions that are found in the Albertine rift valley.

The park can be accessed from by road through Kigali the capital of Rwanda in a five hours drive upon a 225km stretch. In case Lake Kivu is part of your itinerary, Nyungwe forest national park can be found in the south of Lake Kivu.

Nyaruguru district borders the park in the south East of the park, Nyamagabe district in the East of the forest, Karongi district in the Northeast while Nyamasheke district in the west.

Nyungwe National park Activities

Nyungwe forest national park is one of the forests in East Africa that have more than two main tourism activities to offer. One of the main activities in the Nyungwe forest national park is the canopy walk.

Chimpanzee Tracking

It is common to find chimpanzees in zoos and sanctuary but sometimes you need an uninterrupted view of animals in their natural habitat. Chimpanzee tracking is more of a hike or a forest walk that focuses on spotting chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

It is impossible to see these animals in their natural habitat unless they are habituated to human presence. In habituation, they do not lose their wildness, rather they get used to having Human beings in their environment however much there is often no physical interaction.

Nyungwe forest national park has two habituated groups of chimpanzees; one is located around the Cyamudongo forest while the second group is located around the Uwinka area. There is a total population of over 500 chimpanzees in this forest.

Animal behavior is often predictable; with this experience, the rangers often know where to find the chimpanzees on any given day. Sometimes you might find the chimpanzees resting after moving from one location to another while in other moments you might find them on the move to another location. The best experience is often when you find them rested after eating

The hike is led by game rangers who also double as guides during the trek. They will answer most of your questions about these animals on any given day.

Other primates that you are likely to spot during your trek include; owl-faced monkey, velvet monkey, olive baboons, Blue monkeys among several other primates.

Chimpanzee tracking cost

• Foreign Non-residents: US$90 per person
• Foreign Residents: US$60 per person
• Rwandans: 5,000 Rwf per person
• East African Community: US$10 per person
• Rwandan Students: 2,500 Rwf per person
• East Africa Community Students: US$5 per person
• Foreign Resident Students: US$30 per person

Note; chimpanzee tracking often starts as early 5:00 am

Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk

Hiking is one of the main activities that are done in this forest; unlike the common hikes that start and end on the ground, Nyungwe forest national park offers hiking experiences that are coupled with a canopy walk giving you some of the most amazing views of the birds, primates and several other resident wildlife species whose habitat is in the trees.

The canopy walk can be done four times a day; you can choose the most favorable one depending on your itinerary.  The earliest is 8:00 am in the morning, followed by another one at 10:00 am in the morning, the lunchtime canopy walk at 1:00 pm and the last one happening at 3:00 pm

Suspended 50meters from the ground the 200 meters canopy walk is not recommended for anyone afraid of heights. It has a minimum age limit of 6 years as long as the child is accompanied by an adult. Worth noting, unguided tours are not permitted on this canopy walk

Guided tours cost US$60 per person, and it is often recommended; you travel light. In case you do not really feel like carrying hiking shoes, raincoats, you can opt for hiring them at the park headquarters.

Canopy Walk Rates

• Foreign Non-Residents: US$60 per person
• East African Foreign Residents: US$50 per person
• East African: US$10 per person
• Rwandan Citizens: 5000 Rwf per person

Monkey Tracking

Nyungwe forest national park has a total of 13 primates, 12 of these are monkeys and only one ape species. They commonly track Golden monkeys and the Angolan colobus monkeys. Monkey tracking is more of nature compared if compared to chimpanzee tracking.

Other monkeys include; Blue monkey, Olive baboon, vervet monkey, crowned monkey, red-tailed monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys, l’hoest monkey, owl-faced monkeys, and Dent’s mona monkey.

It is often recommended to carry hiking shoes, rain gear, binoculars, snacks. In case you do not want to stress carrying these items, you can hire them from the park.

Monkey Tracking in Nyungwe National Park Cost

• Foreign Non-Residents: US$60 per person
• Foreign Residents: US$40 per person
• Rwandans: 5,000 Rwf per person
• East African Community: US$10 per person
• East African Foreign Residents: US$40 per person
• Rwandan Students: 1,500 Rwf per person
• East Africa Community Students: US$3 per person
• Foreign Resident Students: US$20 per person

Nyungwe Forest Nature Trail Hiking

Nyungwe forest national park has a total of 15 hiking trails making it one of the leading hiking destinations in East Africa. These 15 trails can be further groups into 3 geographical groups; Between Uwinka and Gisakura reception, between Uwinka reception center and Kitabi, and Uwinka reception group.

Nature trail hiking in Nyungwe forest national park ranges from as short as 1.8km which can be done in less than two hours to a 42.2km hike which can take you up to 3 days of hiking. With this diversity hiking trails; the most popular trails fall between 3 to 6 hours hikes.

Nyungwe Forest National Park Nature walk Rates

• Foreign non-residents: US$40 per person
• Foreign-residents: US$30 per person
• Rwanda residents: Rwf 3,000
• East Africa Community (EAC) nationals: US$5 per person
• East Africa Community (EAC) Foreign Residents: US$30 per person
• Rwandan Students: Rwf 1500 per person
• East African Community (EAC) students pay: US$3 per person
• Foreign Residents Students: US$20 per person

Nyungwe Forest Waterfalls

Though waterfalls can be accessed during nature walks, you can plan your visit to the Ngungwe forest to specifically visit the waterfalls. There are a number of waterfalls in the Ngungwe forest national park but the biggest of all is the Kamiranzovu waterfall.

Kamiranzovu is the most visited waterfall among all the waterfalls in Nyungwe forest national park. However, Isumo waterfalls are also a popular highlight for the waterfalls in Nyungwe forest national park. The above two waterfalls have wonderful landscapes fitting for the best forest photography.    

Tropical Waterfall Visiting Rates

• Foreign non-residents: US$50 per person
• Foreign-residents: US$40 per person
• Rwanda residents: Rwf 5,000
• East Africa Community (EAC) nationals: US$10 per person
• East Africa Community (EAC) Foreign Residents: US$40 per person
• Rwandan Students: Rwf 2000 per person
• East African Community (EAC) students pay: US$5 per person
• Foreign Residents Students: US$20 per person

Nyungwe Forest National Park Camping

 Many people consider camping as a budget accommodation option; however when it comes to Nyungwe forest national park; camping is still the only option for you to spend a night in this tropical forest.

There are only two options of camping in the Nyungwe forest national park, you either hire out the camping gear and tents from the national park reception or you can carry your own camping gear and tent; in this case, you will only need to hire out a spot to camp out in the tropics

Camping Cost In Nyungwe Forest National Park

• Camping gear and Camping slot: US$40 per person
• Camping slot without camping gear: US$30 per person

Reservations and Booking Advise

All payments in this park are made via card, therefore you might get stranded in case you simply move with cash to make any payments at the park.

We recommend anyone considering chimpanzee tracking to book permits a few months before the tracking date.