Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda takes place in Nyungwe Forest National Park, in the country’s southwestern highlands, where permits cost $150 per person for foreign non-residents in 2026. Only 24 permits are issued each day across the park’s two habituated chimpanzee communities, so advance booking through the Rwanda Development Board is necessary for most travel dates. Nyungwe Forest is one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests, covering approximately 1,019 square kilometres, and holds an estimated 500 chimpanzees in total.
Chimpanzees share roughly 98% of human DNA and are the second most popular primate tourism draw in Rwanda after mountain gorillas. Two habituated communities are open to visitors: one group of approximately 60 individuals based in the main Nyungwe Forest, accessible from Uwinka Reception Centre, and a second group of around 30 individuals in Cyamudongo Forest, a smaller relict forest within the park accessible from Gisakura Reception Centre. Foreign residents in Rwanda and the East African Community pay $75 per permit; Rwandan and East African citizens pay $25.
$150 per person per trek. Includes ranger guide and park entrance for the activity. Valid for one habituated group, one hour with the chimpanzees.
$75 per person per trek. Same inclusions as the standard permit.
$25 per person per trek. Same activity and duration.
Not included in all permit tiers. Verify the current park entrance requirement with your tour operator or the Rwanda Development Board before travel.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest: The Uwinka Sector
The Uwinka sector of Nyungwe Forest is the main departure point for chimpanzee trekking and the location of the park’s principal visitor centre. Trekkers report to Uwinka Reception Centre in the early morning, typically between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m., for a ranger briefing covering rules of conduct, health requirements, and what to expect during the search. Groups are capped at a maximum of eight visitors per habituated community per session.
The Uwinka-based group can number up to 60 habituated individuals. Chimpanzees move constantly and their location each day depends on food availability and territorial range, which means trek duration varies considerably — from under two hours when chimps are found near the trail network to five or more hours when they have moved deep into the forest. Trekkers should be prepared for challenging terrain including steep slopes, dense undergrowth, and muddy paths.
The Uwinka area also serves as the access point for the park’s famous canopy walkway, a suspended bridge approximately 200 metres long and up to 70 metres above the forest floor. Combining a morning chimpanzee trek with an afternoon canopy walk is a common and well-structured way to spend a full day in the park. The canopy walk costs an additional $40 per person.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Cyamudongo Forest
Cyamudongo Forest is a fragmented patch of rainforest located a short distance from the main Nyungwe block, and it harbours a community of approximately 30 habituated chimpanzees. Trekkers for Cyamudongo check in at Gisakura Reception Centre, where briefings begin before 6:00 a.m. Because the forest patch is smaller and the community more contained, chimpanzees are generally found more quickly in Cyamudongo than in the main forest.
Only eight permits are issued per day for the Cyamudongo community, making this sector among the most competitive to book in advance. Travelers who prioritise a shorter, more predictable trek often prefer Cyamudongo, though sighting success is never guaranteed regardless of which sector is chosen. Gisakura is also the base for colobus monkey tracking, meaning the two activities can be arranged on consecutive mornings without changing accommodation.
What Happens During a Chimpanzee Trekking Session
All trekkers receive a pre-trek briefing covering health regulations, including a requirement that no one with a respiratory illness may participate due to the risk of disease transmission between humans and chimpanzees. Children under 16 years of age are not permitted. Cameras without flash are allowed; flash photography is prohibited throughout the session.
Once rangers locate the chimpanzee community, visitors are allowed exactly one hour in the company of the group. Chimpanzees are active, vocal animals and move quickly through the canopy, which means tracking their behaviour requires constant movement and attention. Vocalisations, including loud calls and drumming on tree trunks, are frequently heard before the group is visually located. During the one-hour visit, chimpanzees commonly feed, groom, rest, and move between trees.
After the hour concludes, rangers lead the group back to the reception centre. Porters are available for hire at the trailhead and are particularly useful on challenging terrain; porter fees are not included in the permit cost and are paid separately, typically in the range of $15 to $20 per porter.
Main primate activity. Departs Uwinka or Gisakura from 5:00 a.m. Duration: 2 to 6 hours depending on chimp location. One hour with the group once found.
A separate permit activity. Two habituated troops available: a supergroup of up to 500 individuals at Uwinka, and a smaller group of about 60 near Gisakura. Permit approximately $60 to $90 per person.
Suspended walkway up to 70 metres above the forest floor. Duration approximately two hours. Permit $40 per person, booked separately from trekking permits.
Multi-species forest walks on Nyungwe’s 130-kilometre trail network. Opportunities to see L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and over 310 bird species. Lower permit fees than chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee Trekking Rwanda: Booking Permits in Advance
Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and can be booked directly through the RDB website at rdb.rw or via a licensed tour operator. With only 24 permits available per day across all three habituated chimpanzee communities, demand regularly exceeds supply during June to September and December to February. Booking six to twelve months in advance is recommended for those traveling in peak months.
Last-minute permits are sometimes available during the wet season months of March, April, May, October, and November when visitor numbers are lower. However, relying on last-minute availability is a risk, particularly for travelers combining chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in the same itinerary. Tour operators can manage the booking logistics for both parks, which saves time and reduces coordination errors.
Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Passport details are required at the time of booking. Visitors should confirm whether their permit includes park entrance fees or whether a separate entry payment is required on arrival.
Peak dry season. Trails are drier and more manageable. Chimps move toward water sources and may be found in more predictable locations. High demand — permits sell out quickly. Most comfortable trekking conditions.
Second dry window. Slightly fewer visitors than the June to September peak. Good trekking conditions. Also a good period for combining with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes.
Long wet season. Trails become muddy and slippery. Fruit is abundant in the forest, meaning chimpanzees may be located closer to the trails. Permits more readily available. Lower lodge rates.
Short wet season. Similar conditions to March to May. Fewer visitors. Birding is particularly good during this period as migratory species are present.
Getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park from Kigali
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located approximately 225 kilometres southwest of Kigali. By road, the drive takes five to six hours in a 4WD vehicle, passing through the towns of Butare (Huye), Nyanza, and the scenic highland ridgelines that form the Congo-Nile Divide. The route is paved for most of its length but includes winding mountain sections that benefit from an experienced driver, particularly after rainfall.
RwandAir operates scheduled domestic flights between Kigali International Airport and Kamembe Airport near Cyangugu, reducing travel time to approximately one hour. Kamembe is around 50 kilometres from the park’s Gisakura entrance. A number of operators offer road transfers from Kigali with commentary on the landscape en route. Most lodges in and around Nyungwe offer vehicle transfer services from the airport or Kigali.
How long does chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda take?
The total duration of a chimpanzee trekking day depends on how far the habituated group has moved. Once rangers locate the chimps, visitors spend exactly one hour with them. The hiking portion before finding the group can range from one to five hours depending on conditions and the group’s location that morning. Most trekking days conclude by early afternoon.
What is the minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?
The minimum age is 16 years. This rule is strictly enforced to protect both visitors and the chimpanzees from stress and health risks. No upper age limit applies, though the trekking is physically demanding and involves uneven, often muddy forest terrain.
Can I do chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking on the same Rwanda trip?
Yes. Many itineraries combine chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park to the north. The two parks are not adjacent, so the itinerary typically involves a road journey between them, often stopping at Lake Kivu or Kigali in between. A minimum of five to seven days is recommended to cover both parks comfortably.
Is chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda guaranteed?
Sightings are not guaranteed. Rwanda’s habituated chimpanzee communities are genuinely wild animals and can move unpredictably. However, success rates for finding the habituated groups are reported to be high, as rangers track the communities daily. Cyamudongo Forest offers a higher probability of finding chimps quickly due to the smaller forest area.
What should I wear for chimpanzee trekking?
Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers tucked into socks provide protection against biting ants, stinging nettles, and insects in the forest. Sturdy ankle-supporting hiking boots with good grip are necessary, particularly during the wet season when trails become slippery. A lightweight rain jacket or poncho, neutral-coloured clothing in greens, khakis, or browns, and a small daypack with water and snacks are all recommended.