Nyungwe National Park combines two distinct experiences in one forest: chimpanzee trekking with a habituated community, and a walk across Africa's highest canopy walkway, a suspended steel bridge roughly 70 metres above the forest floor. They're separate bookings and separate activities, though both are commonly done during the same 2-night stay.
Quick facts
- Where: Nyungwe National Park, southwestern Rwanda
- Canopy walkway height: Roughly 70 metres above the forest floor, the highest of its kind in Africa
- Primate count: Thirteen species, including chimpanzees, several colobus species, and L'Hoest's monkeys
- Typical structure: Chimpanzee trek one morning, canopy walk a separate half-day
What to expect
Chimpanzee trekking at Nyungwe follows the same general structure as in Uganda's Kibale Forest — an early start, a briefing, and a walk that can range from under an hour to several hours depending on where the community is ranging that morning. The canopy walkway, by contrast, is a fixed, scheduled activity with no tracking uncertainty, making it a reliable half-day addition regardless of how the trek goes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the canopy walkway included in the chimpanzee trekking permit?
No, they're booked and paid for separately, though both are easily combined into the same stay.
How does chimpanzee trekking at Nyungwe compare to Uganda's Kibale Forest?
Kibale is generally considered the single best chimpanzee trekking destination in Africa; Nyungwe's advantage is the canopy walkway and its broader thirteen-species primate count in one forest.
Nyungwe features in our 8 Days Rwanda Grand Safari Collection.