Chimpanzee trekking is the most done tourist activity done in Nyungwe Forest National Park, which attracts a high number of travelers to this rain forest. Travelers intending to trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest are advised to learn and research about the actual cost of chimpanzee trekking permits before confirming any Rwanda chimpanzee trek to Nyungwe Forest.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest is done along canopy walk, forest walks and bird watching to make a complete Rwanda tour package. Chimpanzee trekking rank second to gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park.
The park is located in Rusizi district in southwestern Rwanda bordered by Kibira National Park in Burundi and Lake Kivu. Nyungwe Forest is the largest preserved rain forest in Central Africa. Nyungwe forest was established in 2004 spreading over 970 square kilometers.
The vegetation cover in Nyungwe Forest National Park comprises of the rain forest, swamps, bamboos, bogs and grasslands. Nyungwe forest is home to 13 primates, chimpanzees dominating, 1068 plant species, 38 reptiles, 85 mammals, 32 amphibians and 275 bird species.
The cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe Forest National Park varies depending on the traveler’s nationality and state of residence. The cost is $90 for foreign non-residents, $60 for foreign residents, RWs 500 for foreign citizens and $10 for East African residents. Foreign students pay $30 Rwanda citizen students pay RWF 2,500 while East African students pay $5 for this memorable experience.
Canopy walk
The 60 meters high canopy walk ranks second to chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Canopy walk gives you the aerial views of the forest, birds, wildlife, Virunga volcanoes and neighboring local communities. The canopy walks permit costs $60 for foreign non-residents, $50 for foreign residents, $10 for East African residents. Rwanda citizens pay RWF 5,000, East African students pay $5 while foreign resident students pay $25 per person.
The walkway of length 200 meters hangs across a steep and deep valley filled with thick forest. The Canopy Walk offers breathtaking views across the misty forest, and sightings at eye-level, of a number of unique wildlife inhabiting the canopies.
The Canopy Walk activity takes close to 2 hours, the start and end point being at the Nyungwe National Park headquarters – the Uwinka tourist reception center. The first about 200 meters is a walk along a forest trail under the thick canopies for a chance to observe the ground level nature before taking on the canopy walkway to access the top level of the forest. Notable sightings include several monkeys such as L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus, Red-tailed Monkeys, and lots of birds.
