Nyungwe Forest National Park
Ultimate Nyungwe Forest Experience: Chimps, Canopy, Waterfalls & Zipline
Price on request
View itinerary4-Day Akagera Safari and Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
Savannah game drives and boat safari, then chimps and the canopy walk
- Duration4 days / 3 nights
- LocationAkagera and Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Minimum age15+
- DifficultyModerate
Tour overview
About this journey
This trip takes you around to experience Rwanda’s wildlife safaris and the boat cruise experiences of Akagera National Park. You will take your adventures on the canopy walk with great views of the forest and chimpanzee tracking, in Nyungwe Forest National Park on this 4 days tour. This is a private tour. You will be using your private 4×4 safari Jeep.
Trip highlights
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema among hippos and crocodiles
- Big Five game drive in Rwanda’s only savannah park
- Nyungwe canopy walkway high above the rainforest
- Chimpanzee tracking in one of Africa’s oldest forests
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- Starts
- Kigali International Airport
- Ends
- Kigali
- Best time
- All year · best June–September & December–February
- Style
- Private & tailor-made
Your route
- Kigali
- Akagera NP
- Kigali
- Nyungwe NP
- Kigali
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
-
Day1
On this day our professional safari driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel/residence in Kigali following your breakfast and brief you on this tour. You’ll then transfer to the park on the 2.5-hour journey from Kigali, driving to the Kayonza district in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The journey to Akagera National Park will reward you with planned en-route stopovers along the route.
Feel free to ask your driver-guide questions about the wonderful scenery and even request photographic stopovers along the way. As you arrive at the park, you will check in to your booked safari accommodation at the lodge, order your lunch. You will then proceed for a sunset boat ride on Lake Ihema with a chance to see the aquatic mammals such as hippos and crocodiles in the lake or on the shores.
You’ll retire and drive back to the lodge for dinner and rest.
- Game drive
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
-
Day2
Your second day of the tour will start very early in the morning. After breakfast, you’ll leave for a full-day safari game drive in the park. (Order your packed lunch to be eaten later at the picnic area). You can expect to see the Big Five mammals (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard), antelope, kob, and baboon.
Akagera National Park is a varied habitat for wildlife species in Rwanda and a birder’s haven with more than 500 bird species in the park. Later in the afternoon, you will transfer back to Kigali and drop off at your hotel with the evening at leisure, dinner, and rest.
- Morning game drive
-
Day3
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning following your breakfast once again and transfer you to Nyungwe National Park. The journey southwest passes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscapes, sighting Kamegeri Rock in Ruhango District.
Upon arrival at the park reception, you will receive a briefing from the park guides then proceed with a short hike to the Canopy walk adventure for a thrilling experience on a suspended bridge covering 160 m through the lush montane rainforest and 70 m high from the forest floor. This is one extraordinary activity that offers a spectacular view of the ancient forest.
You will be back at the starting point, meet your guide and drive to the hotel, check-in and enjoy property amenities. You’ll spend the evening at leisure, dinner, and rest.
- Canopy walk
- Scenic drive
-
Day4
On this day, you will enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel. Then, you will embark on a thrilling hike in search of chimpanzee communities. The Rwandan chimpanzee population is thought to consist of approximately 400-500 individuals, confined to the Nyungwe National Park, including a small community in the Cyamudongo Forest.
Prepare to hear these excitable primates before you see them, as their pant-hoots travel through the deep forest. During your hike, you may also spot migratory birdlife including the Ross’ turaco, grey-cheeked hornbill, red-breasted sparrow hawk, and regal sunbird. Then after your experiences, your guide will drive you back to Kigali. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel/residence or Kigali International Airport.
See you on your next visit.
- Chimpanzee trekking
End of your Pride Adventure — with memories for life.
Drive times are approximate. Lodges are confirmed with you when you book, matched to your budget and availability.
Price details
What’s included
Included
- Chimpanzee Permit
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Professional guide
- Park Entrance fees
Not included
- International flights
- Tips
- Taxes
- Insurance
Gallery
Photos from the trail
Before you go
Good to know
What to pack
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- Light rain jacket (it can rain any time)
- Long trousers and long-sleeved shirt
- Gardening gloves for grabbing vegetation
- Day pack, 2 litres of water and snacks
- Camera without flash, and spare batteries
- Passport (needed to collect permits)
Travel with confidence
- Licensed and insured tours
- Local driver-guides who know every trail
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Permits and lodges booked for you
Questions
Frequently asked
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every Pride Adventure trip is tailor-made. We can add or remove days, change the order, upgrade or downgrade lodges and add activities. Send us a request and we will send you a proposal.
Is the chimpanzee permit included?
Yes, the primate permits listed under “Included” are part of the price. We book them for you.
Will we see the Big Five in Akagera?
Akagera is home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo. Sightings are never guaranteed, but our guides know where the animals are likely to be.
What is the best time to go?
The long dry season (June–September) and the short dry season (December–February) are the easiest for trekking and game drives. The green seasons are quieter, lush and good value.
How do I book?
Send us a request with your dates and group size. We reply within 24 hours with a quote. When you confirm, we book permits and lodges and send you a full travel pack.
Free quote
Request this tour
Tell us your dates and group. We will confirm availability and send you a tailored price within 24 hours.
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Traveller testimonials
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