3 Days 2 Nights Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe
October 29, 2025
This 3-day chimpanzee trekking trip in Nyungwe National Park typically combines the chimpanzee tracking experience with other activities like a canopy walk and a waterfall hike. The itinerary usually starts and ends in Kigali, with a scenic 5-6 hour drive to the park, and includes several stops along the way.
This 3 Day Rwanda chimpanzee tour can be tailor made for you. Enquire with the Encounter Africa Safaris’ team of experts to make sure you get your desired safari package – including the right accommodation, Permits and transportation
Morning: Pick-up from your hotel or Kigali International Airport and embark on you vehicle for Kigali city tour and visit cultural and historical sites such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the National Ethnographic Museum in Huye (formerly Butare), or the former King's Palace in Nyanza.
Afternoon: Proceed to Nyungwe National Park with an en route lunch.
Evening: Arrival at the lodge, check in followed by relaxation dinner and overnight
Morning: Have an early breakfast (around 5:30 AM) and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking protocols.
Trekking: An experienced guide will lead you into the forest (either in the main Nyungwe forest or the Cyamudongo section) to find a habituated chimpanzee community. The trek can last anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the chimpanzees' location.
Observation: Once located, you will spend one hour observing the chimpanzees, taking photos, and learning about their behaviours.
Afternoon: Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for the 160-meter long, 70-meter high canopy walkway offers breathtaking aerial views of the forest and a chance to spot birds and primates from the treetops. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Morning: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and check out from your lodge. Depending on your schedule, you can visit the Gisakura Tea Estate for a tour to learn about the tea production process.
Travel: Begin the journey back to Kigali, enjoying the views of Rwanda's "thousand hills" and rolling tea plantations.
Departure: Have en-route lunch and proceed Kigali before being dropped off at the Hotel or airport for your departure flight.
Permit cost: The current price of chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe National Park is $150 for foreign nonresidents, $75 for international residents and $25 for East Africans. This cost is inclusive of a ranger guide fee, one hour with the chimpanzees, chimpanzee conservation fee and security.
Booking: Chimpanzee trekking permits can be booked directly through the Rwanda Development Board(RDB) or a trusted tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris. It is highly recommended to book in advance especially during the dry season as the number of daily permits is limited.
Chimpanzee Permits: Permits are required for the trekking activity and should be booked in advance, often through certified tour operator Like Encounter Africa Safaris. These permits are purchased from the Rwanda Development Board.
Fitness Level: Chimpanzee trekking and hiking involve walking on potentially steep and muddy trails, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
What to Bring: Essential items include hiking boots, a raincoat, a camera, binoculars, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of drinking water.
Documents: You should ensure that you carry your passport, yellow fever card, visa and any other vaccination certificates.
Accommodation: Lodges ranging from budget to luxury (e.g Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, One & Only Nyungwe House) are available near the park entrance.
The best time for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is the dry season which is normally June to October and December to Mid- January when the forests have less precipitation. The tourists can move faster and the chimpanzees can also be seen moving in the forest. We highly recommend booking permits in advance as the permits are on high demand in the dry season and the number of daily permits is limited.
Trekking in the wet season may not be bad timing in Rwanda but be sure to see the primates any time. The chimpanzees love keeping up in the canopy during the wet seasons so you will need a pair of binoculars to get a better view of the chimpanzees. The wet season in Rwanda is normally March, April, May and November.
Get in touch with our team for more information.

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