Nyungwe Canopy Walk — Guide
The other primates worth trekking for
Rwanda's gorillas get most of the attention, but Nyungwe Forest holds two habituated chimpanzee groups — a different kind of trek, at a different pace entirely.
Rwanda's gorillas get most of the attention, but Nyungwe Forest holds two habituated chimpanzee groups — a different kind of trek, at a different pace entirely.
Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees range widely and move fast through the canopy — a chimp trek is a brisker, less predictable walk than the more sedate gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park.
Video via YouTube — a real chimpanzee-tracking experience in Nyungwe Forest
Chimp tracking runs on a different rhythm than the more familiar gorilla trek.
Nyungwe protects one larger habituated group of roughly 60 chimpanzees, and a smaller group of around 30 in the separate Cyamudongo forest section.
Chimpanzees range further and move faster than gorillas, so tracking often means a brisker, less predictable hike through the forest.
Once located, visitors get a single hour observing the chimpanzees before heading back — the same standard as Rwanda's gorilla permits.
Treks begin with an early-morning briefing at one of the park's ranger stations before heading into the forest.
A chimpanzee tracking permit is required in advance, separate from gorilla trekking permits.
Drier months make trails easier to navigate and generally improve visibility, though chimps can be tracked year-round.
The terrain can be steep and slippery even in dry conditions — sturdier footwear and a reasonable fitness level are recommended.
Pairing a chimp trek with the canopy walk makes a full day out of the park — book the canopy walk for the afternoon after an early trek.
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