Nyungwe Forest National Park safari self-drive — Rwanda’s ancient montane rainforest in the southwest corner of the country, 310 km from Kigali — delivers Rwanda’s second primate experience after Volcanoes gorilla trekking: a chimpanzee tracking permit in a forest that holds 13 primate species, plus the most spectacular canopy walkway in East Africa — a 160-metre suspension bridge 70 metres above the forest floor offering a bird’s-eye view of the Nyungwe canopy. The Nyungwe Forest safari self-drive is typically added as a third day on the Rwanda gorilla safari circuit, combining Volcanoes NP (gorillas) and Akagera NP (savannah Big Five) with Nyungwe (chimpanzees and canopy walk) for Rwanda’s complete wildlife experience. This guide covers the Nyungwe Forest safari self-drive for 2027/2028.
Nyungwe Forest Safari: The Chimp Track
- Chimp permit cost: USD 150/person — book via rwandatourism.com
- Briefing time: 8 am at Uwinka visitor centre (main trailhead, 7 km from Kitabi gate)
- Community size: Approximately 500 chimpanzees in Nyungwe — one of the largest chimp populations in East Africa
- Success rate: 75–85% on habituation treks; chimps are present but tracking success is lower than Kibale due to the difficult montane terrain
Nyungwe Canopy Walk
- Cost: USD 60/person, included in park entry fee
- Duration: 2–3 hours guided walk to and along the canopy walkway
- The 160-metre walkway is suspended between tree platforms at 70 metres elevation — the highest canopy walkway in East Africa
- Best early morning for bird activity above and below the canopy line
Nyungwe Safari Logistics
- Distance from Kigali: 310 km, 4.5 hours via Huye (Butare) on sealed roads
- Park entry: USD 100/person — includes canopy walk
- Best timing: June–September dry season (forest tracks most accessible; chimp activity concentrated around water sources)
