Nyungwe Forest: Rwanda's Best-Kept Secret for Chimpanzees and the Famous Canopy Walk

Ask most visitors what they came to Rwanda for and they will say gorillas. But the travellers who discover Nyungwe Forest National Park in the country's southwest often leave saying it was the highlight of their trip. This ancient montane rainforest — one of the largest in Africa — is a world of its own: cathedral trees draped in moss, 13 species of primate swinging through the canopy, 275 bird species calling from every layer of vegetation, and a suspended walkway that puts you eye-level with the treetops 70 metres above the forest floor. Rwanda Safari Tours runs regular excursions to Nyungwe, and this guide tells you everything you need to know.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe

Nyungwe is Rwanda's premier destination for chimpanzee trekking. The Cyamudongo sector and the main forest are home to several habituated chimpanzee communities. Unlike gorilla trekking — where you find a slow-moving family and spend an hour with them — chimpanzee tracking is faster and noisier. Chimps move quickly through the canopy, screaming, laughing, and crashing through branches. Keeping up with them is exhilarating. A chimpanzee permit costs significantly less than a gorilla permit, making Nyungwe an excellent addition to any Rwanda itinerary.

Beyond chimpanzees, you may also encounter Angola colobus monkeys in troops of up to 400 — the largest primate groups in Africa — as well as L'Hoest's monkeys, olive baboons, and the striking Rwenzori colobus.

The Canopy Walkway

The Nyungwe canopy walk is 160 metres long and hangs between giant forest trees at heights of up to 70 metres. For bird lovers and anyone with a sense of adventure, it is utterly unmissable. From the walkway you look down into the forest rather than up at it — a completely different perspective that reveals the extraordinary density of plant life and the birds that inhabit the upper canopy. The walkway sways gently with each step, adding a pleasurable frisson to the experience. Most visitors find it less frightening than they expected and far more beautiful.

Birdwatching in Nyungwe

With 275 recorded species — 29 of them endemic to the Albertine Rift — Nyungwe is one of the finest birding destinations in Africa. Keep your binoculars handy for the Rwenzori turaco (its crimson wing feathers flash like fire through the green canopy), the handsome Grauer's rush warbler, the African green broadbill, and the great blue turaco. Early morning walks along the Umuyove trail are especially rewarding.

How to Get to Nyungwe

Nyungwe is approximately five to six hours by road from Kigali, passing through the beautiful Congo-Nile Trail along the western shore of Lake Kivu. Many travellers combine Nyungwe with a Lake Kivu stopover — spend a couple of nights at the lakeside, then drive south into the forest. Rwanda Safari Tours can arrange comfortable private transfers and accommodation at lodges within or adjacent to the park, including the award-winning Nyungwe House.

Best Time to Visit Nyungwe

The forest is lush and beautiful year-round. The dry seasons (June–September, December–February) make for easier trail conditions, but the wet seasons transform Nyungwe into an even more vivid green world that wildlife and plant photographers love. Regardless of when you visit, bring waterproof gear — a rainforest earns its name.

Add Nyungwe to Your Rwanda Safari

Rwanda Safari Tours can combine gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, a Lake Kivu beach break, and a Nyungwe forest adventure into one seamless itinerary. Contact us today to start planning your Rwanda forest experience.