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The journey
Discover Rwanda's vibrant capital and the lush rainforest of Nyungwe National Park on this immersive 4-day journey. Travel through the country's southern heartland to explore the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza, the Ethnographic Museum in Butare, and the moving Murambi Genocide Memorial. In Nyungwe, enjoy the famous canopy walkway, an exhilarating chimpanzee trek with expert trackers, and a hands-on tea experience in Gisakura. End your journey with a Kigali city tour and time at Kimironko Market for locally made gifts before your airport drop-off.
At a glance
Day by day
Arrival at Kigali International Airport and transfer to Nyungwe National Park. En route, pass by the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza to visit the royal Inyambo cows and the King's cultural house.
After the visit, have lunch and continue to Butare to visit the Ethnographic Museum.
Stay overnight in Butare city, with check-in at Boni Consilii Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
You will wake up early in the morning, then check out and transfer to Nyungwe. On the way, pass by Murambi Genocide Memorial in Nyamagabe, a historical site that keeps a number of 1994 genocide bodies and shows the darkness Rwanda passed through, while now teaching the unity and reconciliation of Rwanda.
After the visit, continue to the forest and reach the park reception at Uwinka, then go for the canopy walkway.
Afterward, check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
You will have an early breakfast before heading deep into the ancient, mist-shrouded rainforest for a thrilling chimpanzee trekking adventure.
Guided by expert park trackers, you will navigate the lush, primordial jungle trails, listening carefully for the echoing hoots, pant-grunts, and rustling branches that signal you are closing in on a wild chimpanzee community. Once found, you will spend a captivating hour observing these highly intelligent primates swing through the high canopy, groom one another, and feed in their natural habitat.
Following this unforgettable wildlife encounter, you will return to the lodge to relax and enjoy a hot, hearty lunch while soaking in the sweeping panoramic views of the forest.
In the evening, go for a tea experience in Gisakura and learn how tea is prepared from leaf to cup as you enjoy the view of the forest and cultural activities around the Nyungwe buffer zone. Later, go back to your hotel for dinner and relaxation.
After your morning breakfast, you will check out and have a scenic transfer to Kigali, with lunch en route.
Upon reaching Kigali, do a city tour by visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial and later continue to Kimironko Local Market to buy locally made gifts.
Your driver-guide will then drop you off at the airport.
The route
The fine print
Transport for 4 days
English-speaking driver-guide
Accommodation for 3 nights
Meals
Drinking water
Entrance fees
Chimpanzee trekking permits
Canopy walkway fee
International flights
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips
Alcoholic drinks
Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with excellent traction are essential. The forest floor in Nyungwe is frequently wet, steep, and slippery.
Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, lightweight long pants (tucked into tall socks to prevent ants and leeches), and gardening or work gloves to grab onto branches and vines on steep trails.
Rain gear: Nyungwe is a high-altitude montane rainforest, and rain can happen at any time. Always pack a lightweight waterproof rain jacket or poncho.
Warm layers: High elevations mean crisp, cold mornings and evenings. Pack a fleece or light jacket.
Essentials: Insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, a small backpack, and sufficient drinking water and energy snacks.
Extremely early start: Chimpanzee trekking starts very early in the morning. You will typically need to wake up by 04:30 AM to reach the trailhead or visitor center (Uwinka or Cyamudongo) by 05:00 AM-05:30 AM.
Trek intensity and terrain: Unlike mountain gorillas, wild chimpanzees move quickly through the dense canopy and steep, unpaved rainforest ravines. Treks can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours and require active off-trail hiking through muddy, dense vegetation.
Observation time: Once your group locates the chimpanzee community, you are permitted 1 hour of direct contact and observation time.
Sighting dynamics: Chimpanzees are semi-habituated and often stay high in the canopy or move rapidly on the ground, so sightings can be fast-paced and require agility to follow.
Structure and heights: Suspended 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) above a deep rainforest ravine, the metal suspension bridge spans 160 meters (525 feet) across three distinct sections.
Height sensitivity: If you have severe acrophobia (fear of heights), be aware that the bridge sways gently as you walk across it.
Timing: The walk usually takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours round-trip from the Uwinka Visitor Center, including the hike down to the suspension bridge and back up.
Original passports: You must present your original, valid passport at the park visitor centers (Uwinka or Gisakura) for permit verification prior to the activity.
Health restrictions: Chimpanzees share close to 99% of human DNA and are extremely vulnerable to human diseases. You must always wear face masks.
Age limits: The minimum age requirement for both chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walkway is 15 years old.
Drive times: Nyungwe is located in southwestern Rwanda, roughly a 5- to 6-hour drive from Kigali. It is best visited as part of a multi-day trip or combined with Lake Kivu or Butare.
Vehicle needs: A 4x4 vehicle with a driver-guide is highly recommended to navigate the winding mountain roads and dirt tracks leading to various trailheads.
Logistics
Your 4 days finish where they began, in hotel.
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