Nyungwe National Park at a glance
Nyungwe is a forest park in the southwest of Rwanda, best known for its Canopy Walk and for chimpanzee tracking. It also offers guided hikes on a network of forest trails, and since 2025 a zipline and a rope course. This site is an independent guide with no link to the park or the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The trip from Kigali is long. The park gives 6 to 7 hours by road, so most visitors plan at least one night nearby. Walks on the forest trails are led by Community Freelance Guides.
What to do in Nyungwe
Four ways to see the forest, from a walk above the trees to a three-day hike.
Canopy Walk
The Canopy Walk starts at the Uwinka Visitor Centre. It costs 40 USD per person for international visitors, with a guide included and the park entry fee extra. The minimum group is 2 people and the maximum 8.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking costs 150 USD per person, with a guide included and the park entry fee extra. The minimum age is 15, and a group has up to 8 adults. Chimpanzee communities are found at Cyamudongo, Mayebe and Gisovu, and you should agree the exact meeting point with the park in advance. As with all wildlife, sightings are not guaranteed.
Forest trails
The park lists 10 guided trails from Uwinka and 3 from Gisakura. Regular nature and waterfall trails are covered by the entry fee. Cyinzobe is a 3-day hike with meals and a night in a hut.
Zipline and rope course
African Parks added a zipline in 2025, 1,935 m long and in 3 sections from Uwinka, along with a rope course at Gisakura. The zipline is a different activity from the Canopy Walk and has its own booking and price. Ask the park for current details.
Our picks: Nyungwe tours
Two days in the forest from Kigali, neither with park entry included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nyungwe day trip from Kigali with canopy walk and zipline
Transfer from Kigali, a driver-guide, a private 4x4, lunch, coffee and water. Zipline, canopy and waterfall fees apply only to the option you choose, and park entry ($100 per person) is not included.
Check availability →
Nyungwe Forest day: canopy walk, zipline and chimpanzees
Lunch and water are included, and the page mentions a pickup. Park entry ($100) and additional activity fees are not included.
Check availability →Nyungwe tours and trips
Guided trips to Nyungwe, including multi-day itineraries combined with other parks, with live prices and availability.
Fees for international visitors
Tariff 2025–2026 in USD. The park entry fee and the special activity are charged separately.
| Park entry | 1 day or 1 night | 2 nights in total | 3 nights in total |
|---|---|---|---|
| International adult | 100 USD | 150 USD | 200 USD |
| International child, 6 to 12 | 50 USD | 75 USD | 100 USD |
| Rwanda or EAC residents, adult | 60 USD | 90 USD | 120 USD |
| Rwanda or EAC nationals, adult | 10,000 RWF | 15,000 RWF | 20,000 RWF |
| Activity, international adult | Activity fee | With 1 day of park entry |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy Walk | 40 USD | 140 USD |
| Chimpanzee tracking | 150 USD | 250 USD |
The totals do not include getting to the park. Children up to 5 years are free, children aged 6 to 12 pay the park entry only, and from 13 the adult rates apply. The minimum age for chimpanzee tracking stays at 15. Entry covers the regular nature and waterfall trails, but not multi-day trails. Nights 4 to 7 need no extra park entry. Habituation experiences cost 200 USD with up to 4 adults.
Getting there and booking
The park gives 6 to 7 hours from Kigali by road, via Huye and Rusizi or via Karongi and Rusizi. From Kamembe to Gisakura it is about 45 km, roughly an hour. Intercity buses from Kigali-Nyabugogo to Karongi (5,504 RWF), Huye (5,068 RWF) and Kamembe via Huye (11,445 RWF) were reported in an April 2026 fare list. These fares only cover the town stages, not the transfer to a trailhead.
Reserve activities by email at nyungwe@africanparks.org. For accommodation run by the park, write to guests.nyungwe@africanparks.org. The park operator lists accommodation at Uwinka, Gisakura and Gisovu, and the Munazi Eco Lodge was added in 2025. Guests staying outside the park normally pay the daily entry fee, with an exception for lodges that have an agreement with the park. Our where to stay page lists the areas.
Safety, weather and the border
Nyungwe is near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The German Federal Foreign Office (status 18 October 2026) advises against non-essential travel to the border regions and mentions risks around Nyungwe and on the road between Rusizi and Nyamagabe. It also states that hikes in the national parks are allowed only with registered guides. Check your own government's advice before you book.
Foreign travelers who were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the past 30 days are refused entry to Rwanda, according to a May 2026 notice from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. Read our travel tips for entry rules. Rain is possible in any month. Meteo Rwanda forecast a raised chance of above-average rain for September to December 2026, so pack waterproofs.
Nyungwe: frequently asked questions
How much does the Canopy Walk cost?
40 USD per person for international visitors, with a guide included. The park entry of 100 USD per day is extra, so one day totals 140 USD (2025–2026 tariff).
How much does chimpanzee tracking cost?
150 USD per person, plus 100 USD park entry, which makes 250 USD for one day without travel. The minimum age is 15.
Are the Canopy Walk and the zipline the same?
No. They are separate activities. The zipline was added in 2025 and has its own details, which you should ask the park about.
How long does the drive from Kigali take?
The park gives 6 to 7 hours by road. Most visitors stay at least one night close to the forest.
Can I hike on my own?
No. Hikes in the national parks are allowed only with registered guides, and Community Freelance Guides lead the forest walks.
Are chimpanzee sightings guaranteed?
No. Chimpanzees are wild animals, and the park does not promise a sighting.