Nyungwe Forest National park is located in the district of Rusizi in the southwestern part of Rwanda approximately 4-5 hours drive to get there from Kigali town. Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It is a home of over 12 species of primates with the famous primate being the Chimpanzees, however apart from seeing the chimpanzees at Nyungwe forest, the park is also home to over 300 bird species including 16 endemics that are only found here, it is also home to 75 mammal species. For you to be allowed to trek Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park you will as well need to have a chimpanzee permit with you for that day’s chimpanzee trek; Encounter Africa Safaris will help organize and secure this chimpanzee permit for you in advance from Rwanda Development Board.

Cost to see Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee tracking Permits in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.

For anyone interested in trekking and seeing the Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park you are required to have a chimpanzee permit which costs 90 dollars for the non-resident, 60 dollars for the resident, 500 Rwanda Francs for Foreign citizens and 10 dollars for the East Africa Citizen (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), Students who are Rwanda citizens pay Rwf2, 500, East Africa Community (EAC) students pay $5 each day and then Students who are foreign residents pay $30 daily. For any person visiting Nyungwe national park is as well required to pay park entrances fee which is 40 dollars per person per day for both the residents and non-residents.

Cost of Chimpanzee tracking Tours to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Encounter Africa Safaris has different all-inclusive chimpanzee tours to Nyungwe National park, ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury tours. On the budget all-inclusive Nyungwe chimpanzee tour you will stay in budget accommodation, then mid-range Nyungwe chimpanzee tour you will stay in Mid-range accommodation and then for luxury chimpanzee tour you will stay in luxury accommodation property, all these tours you will be travelling in a 4×4 safari vehicle, these tours all start and end in Kigali. Our all-inclusive Chimpanzee tours to Nyungwe national park include 2 days Budget Nyungwe Chimpanzee Safari from Kigali which costs USD1190 (2pax), USD1170 (3pax), USD1150 (4pax), USD1010 (over 5pax) and our 3 days Budget Nyungwe Chimpanzee Safari from Kigali which costs USD1160 (2pax), USD1140 (3pax), USD1120 (4pax), USD1100 (over 5pax).

Where to stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park for Chimpanzee trekking.

Lodges options in and close Nyungwe National park range from budget like Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Nzizia Eco Lodge, Katabi Eco centre at USD100 per person per night, mid-range options include at Gisakura Guest House at USD200 per person and then for luxury option here is Nyungwe Top View Hotel at USD250 per person per night, note there are few lodge options here at Nyungwe national park and most of the travellers opt to rather stay at Cyangugu town which is 45mins drive to the park.

Cost of transport to get to Nyungwe National park.

You can get to Nyungwe National park, from Kigali with the mode of transport to get to the park being road transport. For the road transportation mode you can use both public transport that is by bus or hire a self-drive car, the transport fare charge to get to Nyungwe National park will depend on where you plan to start the drive to the park, from Kigali city to Nyungwe National park public transport by bus will cost you approx USD20 per person per seat, this may take you a bit longer up to 8 hours, some buses pass through the park, and these are best for public means to this park as you will get off at the main entrance of the park. There is as well an option to hire a private car, and this is the best recommended to travel to Nyungwe National park as it is more comfortable and convenient which will take you a shorter time compared to public means, hiring a car could cost you about 30,000-40,000RWF per day.

There is also the option of flying to Kamembe airport and then connect to Nyungwe National park, which is 32km drive from the airport. If you are looking for a much faster means of transport, then you can book a flight with RwandAir to Kamembe airport. The airline offers domestic flights, and one of its domestic routes is Kigali-Kamembe. RwandAir provides a minimum of 9 flights a week from Kigali to Kamembe International airport.

Alternative things to do in Nyungwe Forest national park besides Chimpanzee trekking.

Nature walks

A nature walk allows you to trek through Nyungwe National Park to see other primates and wildlife including tree species and mammals; these may not be focused during the chimpanzee trek. This activity is suitable for tourists with a family that is young ones unable to accompany relatives on the chimpanzee trek can opt to do this activity, The various guided walks in the park are charged 40 dollars per individual daily for non-residents. In comparison, resident foreigners pay 30 dollars per person per day.  Rwanda residents pay between Rwf 3,000 and 4,000 for entrance fees per individual daily to enjoy a guided nature walk. In contrast, East Africa Community (EAC) nationals pay $5 daily, East Africa Community (EAC) non-foreigner residents pay $30 daily per person, and the Resident foreigners pay $20 per person daily, Students who are Rwandan Citizens pay Rwf 1,500 daily per person, $15, while Students who are Foreign Residents pay $20.

Birding Tours.

Nyungwe Forest National park being a tropical rain forest with grasslands and many swamp wetlands, it is one of the birders’ havens in Rwanda to spot the unique local endemic bird species. The forest protects more than 300 bird species, so you will expect to encounter specialities that include; Green-breasted Pitta, Red-chested Owlet, Scally-breasted, Pale-breasted and Brown Illadopsis, Red-caped and Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Fire-crested and Brown-chested Alethe, Forest Robin, Buff-spotted, Brown-eared and Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Red-winged Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped and Afep Pigeon, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Yellow-whiskered, Cabanis’s, Yellow-throated, Red-tailed and Little Greenbul, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Yellow-spotted, Hairy-breasted and Yellow-billed Barbet among others.

Canopy walk

Nyungwe Forest National park is one of the best places to do a canopy walk in Africa, this walk takes you through on top of Nyungwe forest giving you amazing views of the forest and various primate wildlife, for the cost to do the canopy walk, foreign Visitors are charged $60 for the Canopy walk per person, Foreign Resident are charged $50 per person and then local Rwanda residents pay 5000 Rwf per person. East Africa Community Nationals pay $10 for per person and then East Africa Community Foreign Residents pay $50 per person. Students who are Rwandan Citizen pay Rwf5, 000 per person, East Africa Community student pay $5 per Student, while Students who are Foreign Resident pay $25.

Encounter Africa safaris operates Chimpanzee safaris to Nyungwe National Park as well as other national parks and exciting tourists sites all over Rwanda. It’s a matter of sending us an email and we will plan for you accordingly. Encounter Africa Safaris is highly reviewed on trip advisor and Safari bookings. You too can be part of our happy family by booking a safari with us.