Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda

By Safari Experts Updated: Aug 24, 2026 8 min read Share

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda offers travelers an opportunity to encounter wild chimpanzees within some of Central Africa's most beautiful montane rainforest. Although Rwanda is internationally famous for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, the country also protects important chimpanzee populations, with Nyungwe National Park providing the principal destination for organized chimpanzee tracking. Nyungwe is located in southwestern Rwanda and protects an extensive mountainous forest ecosystem rich in primates, birds, butterflies and plants. Rwanda's official tourism information identifies chimpanzees among the forest's major attractions and notes that the park supports 13 primate species.

Introduction

Combining chimpanzees in Nyungwe with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park creates one of Africa's most rewarding primate-focused itineraries.

Where to Go Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park is the country's primary chimpanzee trekking destination. The park's steep forested hills provide habitat for chimpanzees as well as several monkey species. Official Rwanda tourism information also notes that chimpanzees occur in smaller numbers in Gishwati Forest.

For most first-time visitors, however, Nyungwe is the obvious choice because it combines established chimpanzee tourism with hiking trails, birding, colobus monkey experiences and the famous canopy walkway. The park lies in southwestern Rwanda, meaning it requires a longer road transfer from Kigali than Volcanoes National Park. Travelers should therefore allow enough time rather than attempting to compress Nyungwe into an unrealistic itinerary.

What Is Chimpanzee Trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking involves entering the forest with professional guides to locate a habituated chimpanzee community. Habituation is a gradual process in which wild chimpanzees become accustomed to the controlled presence of researchers, trackers and tourists. The animals remain wild.

They are not fed or trained to stay in a particular location. Chimpanzees move naturally through the forest searching for fruit and other foods, socializing, resting and occasionally hunting smaller animals. They also build fresh sleeping nests in trees.

What Happens on Trekking Morning?

Chimpanzee trekking begins early. Visit Rwanda states that chimpanzee tracking can start at approximately 5:30 am, with the activity potentially lasting from around an hour to several hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located. Travelers therefore usually wake before sunrise.

After breakfast or an early snack at the lodge, visitors transfer to the designated briefing point. Professional guides explain the rules governing the activity before the group enters the forest.

The early departure gives trackers a better opportunity to locate chimpanzees as they become active after leaving their night nests.

Finding the Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees can often be heard before they are seen. Their vocalizations travel considerable distances through the forest. A sudden series of calls can transform an otherwise quiet morning into an extremely exciting wildlife experience.

Guides listen carefully while also looking for signs such as nests, feeding remains and movement in the canopy. The chimpanzees may remain in trees or descend to the forest floor. If they begin moving, visitors may have to follow them through the forest.

This makes chimpanzee trekking more dynamic than many gorilla encounters.

How Long Do You Spend with Chimpanzees?

Once the habituated chimpanzees are located, visitors are generally allowed a maximum of one hour with them during the standard tracking experience in Rwanda. That hour can pass remarkably quickly. Chimpanzees may feed, groom, vocalize or move between trees.

Some encounters involve numerous individuals in one area, while others require visitors to watch several smaller parties. The experience depends entirely on natural chimpanzee behavior.

Chimpanzee Trekking vs Gorilla Trekking

Travelers often ask whether they should choose chimpanzees or gorillas. If time and budget allow, do both. The experiences are surprisingly different.

Mountain gorillas are predominantly terrestrial and often remain relatively close together. Chimpanzees frequently move rapidly, climb high into trees and communicate through loud vocalizations. Gorilla trekking can feel intimate and quiet. Chimpanzee trekking often feels energetic and unpredictable. Together they provide an outstanding introduction to Africa's great apes.

How Difficult Is Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda?

Nyungwe is mountainous. Visitors should expect hills, roots, vegetation and potentially muddy trails. Visit Rwanda describes Nyungwe's landscape as steep, and official information for its hiking routes advises suitable footwear, especially because paths can become muddy after rainfall.

The difficulty of chimpanzee trekking depends largely on how far the animals have traveled. Some treks may be relatively straightforward. Others can require substantial walking. Reasonable fitness is therefore useful.

What to Wear

Wear practical forest clothing. Recommended items include:

- Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes - Long trousers - Long-sleeved shirt - Lightweight waterproof jacket - Comfortable hiking socks - Small backpack - Hat - Gardening gloves if preferred

Rain protection should always be carried. Nyungwe is a rainforest environment, and weather can change rapidly.

What to Carry

Take sufficient drinking water. A camera and binoculars are useful. Binoculars are particularly valuable because chimpanzees may remain high in the canopy.

Bring spare camera batteries and protect electronic equipment from moisture. Carry only essential equipment because unnecessary weight becomes uncomfortable on steep forest trails.

Photography

Chimpanzee photography can be challenging but extremely rewarding. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees may move rapidly between branches. Forest light is also inconsistent.

A camera that handles higher ISO settings can help. A moderate telephoto zoom provides useful flexibility. Travelers should avoid spending the entire encounter looking through a camera. Listen to the vocalizations, watch the social interactions and enjoy the experience directly.

Other Primates in Nyungwe

Chimpanzees are only part of Nyungwe's appeal. The forest supports numerous other primates, including colobus monkeys and several other monkey species. Visit Rwanda identifies 13 primate species in Nyungwe. This diversity makes Nyungwe especially attractive to dedicated primate enthusiasts.

Additional guided activities can be arranged according to the available itinerary and current park programs.

Nyungwe Canopy Walkway

One of the best activities to combine with chimpanzee trekking is the Nyungwe canopy walkway. The suspended walkway provides elevated views across the rainforest and is reached as part of a guided walk. Visit Rwanda describes it as approximately 160 meters long and up to 70 meters above the forest floor.

Chimpanzee trekking can be scheduled in the morning with another forest activity later, provided travelers have sufficient energy and the itinerary allows.

Hiking in Nyungwe

Nyungwe has an extensive trail network. Routes vary from relatively easy walks to more demanding hikes through mountainous terrain. Some trails provide views over surrounding hills, while others lead toward waterfalls or important birding areas.

Travelers staying several nights can therefore enjoy much more than a single chimpanzee trek.

How Many Nights Do You Need?

At least two nights around Nyungwe is sensible for travelers primarily interested in one chimpanzee trek. Three nights provide a more comfortable experience and allow additional activities. The long road journey from Kigali should also be considered when deciding how much time to spend.

Rushing into the park late in the evening and trekking before dawn the following morning can make the trip unnecessarily tiring.

Combining Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park

One of Rwanda's best safari itineraries combines chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Because the parks are in different parts of Rwanda, enough travel time must be included between them. A Kigali stop or other attractions can be incorporated depending on the route.

This combination allows travelers to observe both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas within one country.

Adding Akagera National Park

Travelers with a longer itinerary can also include Akagera National Park. Akagera provides classic savannah wildlife and creates a strong contrast with Rwanda's forest environments. An itinerary combining Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park showcases three very different ecosystems.

It is ideal for visitors wanting a broader Rwanda safari rather than a trip focused exclusively on primates.

Best Time for Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking can be undertaken throughout the year. Rain can occur in any season. Relatively drier periods may provide easier trail conditions, while wetter periods can produce substantial mud.

Chimpanzees remain within the forest throughout the year, so there is no migration season to consider. The best travel dates should therefore be selected according to permit availability, your wider Rwanda itinerary and personal preference.

Why Choose Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda?

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda adds a completely different dimension to a country best known for mountain gorillas. Nyungwe's ancient montane forest, dramatic terrain, rich primate diversity and canopy experiences make it a destination worth visiting in its own right.

The greatest reward comes when the silence of the rainforest is suddenly interrupted by chimpanzee calls and the animals appear through the trees. Combined with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe creates an exceptional Rwanda primate safari and provides travelers with the opportunity to experience two of humanity's closest great ape relatives in their natural African habitats.