Nyungwe Forest National Park is found in the South western parts of Rwanda bordering Burundi to the South and Lake Kivu to the west. The Park is also located in the watershed between the basin of Congo River in the west and the basin of River Nile in the east.

The Park is located between Butare and Cyangugu therefore it can be accessed in one of the two towns. The roads from Kigali city and Kigali international airport to Nyungwe are all in good condition and it is a two and half hour from the airport to Nyungwe Forest National Park. It is the best Park for chimpanzee trekkers who will like to make it to Rwanda because it protects over 400 individuals of chimpanzees and a chimpanzee permit in Rwanda costs US$ 90. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe is best suitable in the villages of Banda and Uwinka.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe starts at 07:00am however during the tracking you are advised to note the following; be calm, maintain maximum silence, keep a distance of at least 8 meters while viewing the chimpanzees, ensure that you are physically fit, the activity is recommendable to individuals above 12 years of age, don’t use flashlight cameras while taking photos, do not mimic the chimps because you might not know what you are saying, always you are advised to tell the Park ranger if you want to ease yourself such that he accompanies to where you can dig a hole for the proper disposal in the Park and you are advised to bury it very well after easing, a group of only 6 individuals per group are allowed to go for the tracking of chimpanzees.

You will be given time to go back to your lodge for lunch and then pop back to the Park for other activities which you will have to do and some of the good and luxury accommodation in the Park include Nyungwe top view hotel, Nyungwe forest lodge and Gisakura Guest House.

The Park also inhabits other animals which you will still see while there and some of the mostly likely to be seen include; golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, Leopards, Red-tailed monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabey plus a view to over 275 bird species and many others.

On your Rwanda tour to Nyungwe forest enjoy the Nyungwe canopy walk is another exciting and interesting thing in Nyungwe national park because you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Rwanda and the walk is just a two-hour drive from the starting point of Uwinka visitor centre.

During the Nyungwe canopy walk, you will be enjoying the various bird species which will be flying across. The walk is the most wanted by the tourists who make it to Nyungwe national park and it is one you should ever try before you are buried in a grave simply because during the walk, you will have a face to face meeting with the butterflies, different huge tree species, monkeys and birds and it is the only walk of its own in the all of Africa and the third one in Africa as a continent.

The canopy walk is recommendable for individuals above 6 years and the young ones should be escorted by the adults and this walk costs US$ 60 which is paid at the reception center.

Within the Park’s borders, is Bigugu Mountain thus giving a spectacular view to the trekkers and for the chimpanzee trekkers who would like hiking too will be in a correct place (Nyungwe forest national park).

On your way back to Kigali international airport you can also visit Lake Kivu which is near to the Park. At Lake Kivu you will participate in various activities such as aquatic bird watching, boat cruises where you will have chances of looking at the crocodiles and hippos plus identifying the fish species caught from the Lake which is possible through fishing.