Photo redcharlie / UnsplashWhy you go
Why go to Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe is one of Africa's oldest mountain rainforests, cloaking the hills of southwestern Rwanda between roughly 1,600 and 2,950 metres. It is the most biodiverse forest in the country, with chimpanzees among thirteen primate species and a celebrated suspended canopy walkway high above the trees.
Chimpanzee tracking here is more strenuous than in Uganda's lower forests, rewarded by birdlife found nowhere else in the region — Nyungwe holds the richest montane bird community in the Albertine Rift.
Signature experiences
Chimpanzee tracking
Steep forest trails to a habituated chimpanzee community.
Canopy walkway
A suspended walk high above the rainforest floor.
Albertine Rift birding
The richest montane bird community in the region.
In pictures
Nyungwe Forest, before you ever arrive
Representative photography of this destination's landscapes and wildlife — tap any photo to view it full screen.
When to go
The year at Nyungwe Forest, month by month
The best time for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest is June to September. The June–September dry window keeps the steep forest trails manageable; the canopy walkway is spectacular whenever the mist allows.
Best time to visit
Nyungwe Forest
Driest spell
11° at night
Computed for mid-Jul (±2 min) · across Jul sunrise drifts 06:07–06:09, sunset 18:06–18:10
The June–September dry window keeps the steep forest trails manageable; the canopy walkway is spectacular whenever the mist allows.
Getting there
Getting to Nyungwe Forest
A long, scenic drive from Kigali along the Lake Kivu shore, or via Huye in the south of Rwanda.
Safaris that visit
2 journeys go here
8-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimps Safari
An eight-day Rwanda journey that pairs chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe with gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes, alongside Lake Kivu and cultural stops. It runs from Kigali across the south and northwest of the country.
16 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari
A sixteen-day journey across Uganda and Rwanda combining gorilla and chimpanzee tracking with savanna game drives, the Nile, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest and Akagera. The route ends in Kigali with a city tour and Genocide Memorial visit.
Good to know
Nyungwe Forest: questions travellers ask
- Do I need a permit to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest?
- Yes. Chimpanzee tracking is permit-controlled and numbers are limited daily, so it is booked ahead rather than arranged on arrival. We confirm the current rate and availability for your dates with every quote.
Build Nyungwe Forest into your safari
Tell us your dates and interests and we'll shape an itinerary around it.