2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari – Canopy Walk, Igishigishigi Trail and Chimpanzee Tracking
The 2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari is an exciting short adventure that takes you into the heart of Rwanda’s remarkable Nyungwe National Park. This safari combines three of the forest’s most rewarding experiences: hiking along the scenic Igishigishigi Trail, walking above the forest canopy, and tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Nyungwe National Park is located in southwestern Rwanda and is one of the country’s most important protected natural areas. The park is renowned for its ancient montane rainforest, spectacular landscapes, rich biodiversity, and extensive network of hiking trails. The forest stretches toward Rwanda’s borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while Lake Kivu lies farther to the west.
Nyungwe is particularly famous for its exceptional primate diversity. The forest is home to chimpanzees and several other primate species, including L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and colobus monkeys. Its rich ecosystem also supports numerous bird, tree, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species, making the park an excellent destination for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, hikers, and nature lovers.
Although Nyungwe offers an impressive variety of wildlife experiences, it is important to note that mountain gorillas are not found in Nyungwe National Park. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park in the northern part of the country.
During your time in Nyungwe, you can participate in a range of activities depending on your interests and available time. These include chimpanzee tracking, canopy walks, forest hiking, birdwatching, waterfall visits, primate viewing, and cultural experiences with nearby communities. The forest also forms part of the wider landscape associated with the Congo Nile Trail, making the region popular with hikers, cyclists, and other adventure travelers.
The Nyungwe Canopy Walk is one of the park’s signature experiences. Suspended high above the forest floor, the walkway provides spectacular views across the treetops and surrounding forest landscape. It also offers an opportunity to observe birds, butterflies, and other forest life from a unique perspective.
The Igishigishigi Trail provides another memorable way to explore Nyungwe. The trail takes you through the forest while allowing you to appreciate its vegetation, birdlife, beautiful scenery, and peaceful atmosphere. It is an excellent introduction to the natural environment before embarking on the chimpanzee tracking experience.
The highlight of the safari for many travelers is chimpanzee tracking. On the second day, you will report to the designated park offices for a briefing from the park authorities and guides. You will then proceed to the starting point of the trek and enter the forest in search of one of Rwanda’s most fascinating primates. Chimpanzee tracking provides an opportunity to observe these intelligent animals as they move through their natural forest habitat.
Throughout the trek, your experienced guides will help you navigate the forest and interpret the wildlife and vegetation you encounter along the way. The duration and difficulty of the trek can vary depending on the location of the chimpanzee community and the conditions within the forest, making every tracking experience unique.
Our 2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari is ideal for travelers who have limited time in Rwanda but still want to experience the country’s remarkable rainforest, wildlife, and adventure activities. It combines forest hiking, the famous canopy walk, and chimpanzee tracking into a compact itinerary..
For more information about Nyungwe National Park, chimpanzee tracking, accommodation, permits, transport, and customized Rwanda safari packages, contact Tukumbe Tours and Travel. We can tailor your itinerary according to your interests, travel dates, budget, and preferred level of accommodation.
Highlights
- City tour and stop overs at interesting cultural sites
- Hiking through the Igishigishigi trail
- A Canopy walk
- Chimpanzee trekking
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park, Igishigishigi Trail and Canopy Walk
Begins with a morning pickup from your hotel or Kigali International Airport by a professional Tukumbe Tours and Travel safari guide. After a briefing about your journey, you will begin your scenic drive toward southwestern Rwanda and the beautiful Nyungwe National Park.
The journey takes you through some of Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, with opportunities to admire rolling hills, rural communities, cultivated landscapes, and beautiful scenery along the way. Depending on your starting point and travel arrangements, you will have a lunch stop before continuing toward Nyungwe.
Upon arrival in the Nyungwe area, you will proceed for the Igishigishigi Trail, one of the popular hiking trails in Nyungwe National Park. The hike takes you into the lush montane forest, where you can appreciate the diversity of trees, plants, birds, butterflies, and other forest species. Your guide will help you identify different species and provide information about the forest ecosystem.
After the forest hike, you will proceed for the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk. Suspended high above the forest floor, the canopy walkway provides spectacular views across the treetops and surrounding forest. Walking along the elevated bridge offers a unique perspective of Nyungwe and may provide opportunities to see birds and other wildlife moving through the forest canopy.
After completing the day’s activities, you will transfer to your lodge for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Selected lodge in or around Nyungwe National Park
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Departure
You will wake up early and have breakfast at your lodge before proceeding to the designated park offices for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. The park guides will provide information about the trekking guidelines, safety requirements, and what to expect during the activity.
After the briefing, you will drive or walk to the starting point of the trek before entering the forest in search of the chimpanzee community. Chimpanzees are among Nyungwe’s most fascinating primates, and tracking them through the forest provides an exciting opportunity to observe their natural behavior.
The trek can involve walking through different sections of the forest as you search for the chimpanzees. Your experienced guide and trackers will help locate the animals and provide information about their behavior, habitat, and conservation.
Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have time to observe and photograph them from the permitted distance while following the park’s wildlife-viewing guidelines. The exact duration of the trek can vary depending on the location and movements of the chimpanzee community.
After the chimpanzee tracking experience, you will return to your lodge for lunch before beginning your journey back toward Kigali or your preferred drop-off point. Depending on your onward travel plans, you can be dropped off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport.
This marks the end of your 2 Days Nyungwe Forest Safari with Tukumbe Tours and Travel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of Safari
The tour includes:–
- Chimpanzee permits
- Canopy Walk Permits
- City Tour
- Accommodation for one night
- All meals and bottled drinking water including lunch outside the hotel
- An experienced Guide/Driver with excellent English speaking skills
- Transportation in a Tour Van
- Airport Pickup and drop off if departure is on the last day of the safari
- Government Taxes
- Park entrance
The Tour excludes:-
- Air tickets and Visas
- Accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip
- Tips for the Guide
- Travel insurance, souvenirs and other expenses of a personal nature
