What is the Cost of a Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking Permit? Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. The park sits in the Rusizi district, about four to five hours by road from Kigali. It is home to over 12 primate species, more than 300 bird species, and 75 mammals. At the heart of it all is the chimpanzee — the park’s most celebrated resident and the main reason most visitors make the journey south.
Do You Need a Permit?
Yes. To trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, you must obtain a chimpanzee trekking permit in advance. The permit grants you access to the forest and the right to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat on your designated trek day. You can purchase permits directly through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or through a registered tour operator like Anthill Safaris.
How Much Does the Permit Cost?
Chimpanzee trekking permit prices in Nyungwe National Park are as follows:
- Foreign non-residents – $250 per person per trek
- Foreign residents – $75 per person per trek
- East African citizens – $25 per person per trek
A few factors can influence the final cost. Permit prices may be higher during peak season and lower in the off-peak months. The type of trek also matters — private treks typically cost more than guided group treks. When booking, always confirm what is included in the permit fee, as some tours add charges for park entry, guides, or transport.
How to Book Your Permit
Book as early as possible, especially if you plan to visit between June and September or in December and January, when demand is highest. To book, contact the RDB or a local tour operator by email or phone with your preferred trek dates. You will need to provide identification and payment details.
Booking through a tour operator like Anthill Safaris is the most convenient option. We handle the permit purchase and also organize the rest of your safari — accommodation, transport, and any additional activities you want to include. One call or email gets the whole trip moving.
What Happens on Trek Day?
Trekking begins early. After breakfast, you head to the park for a briefing at the visitor center. Rangers and guides lead your group into the forest, staying in contact with trackers who monitor the chimpanzees’ movements. Finding them can take anywhere from one to several hours, depending on how deep into the forest they have traveled that day.
Once you locate the chimpanzee group, you have one hour with them. Chimpanzees are lively, noisy, and endlessly fascinating to watch. You may see them feeding, grooming each other, playing, or moving swiftly through the canopy above you. It is one of the most immersive wildlife experiences Rwanda offers.
Chimpanzee Trekking Rules
- Do not feed or provoke the chimpanzees
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke within 300 meters of the chimpanzees
- Never use flash photography — it causes the chimpanzees to flee
- Do not spit on vegetation, which serves as food for forest primates
- Do not litter — waste damages the forest ecosystem
- Do not surround the chimpanzees, as this makes them feel threatened
- If you are sick with a contagious illness, stay behind — diseases spread easily between humans and chimpanzees
- Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing near the animals
Best Time to Visit
What is the Cost of a Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking Permit? The dry season — from June to September and December to February — offers the best conditions for trekking. Trails are drier, easier to walk, and wildlife is more active and visible. However, Nyungwe is open year-round, and each season has something to offer. The wet season, from March to May and October to November, brings lush scenery and excellent opportunities for photography and birdwatching.
Other Activities in Nyungwe Forest
Canopy Walkway — This is one of Nyungwe’s most popular attractions. A suspension bridge stretches 60 meters above the forest floor, giving you sweeping views of the treetops, birds, and primates below. It takes about two hours and begins with a briefing at the Uwinka Visitor Information Center. It is perfectly safe, though it does get the adrenaline going.
Birdwatching — With over 300 recorded species, including 27 endemic to the Albertine Rift, Nyungwe is a serious birdwatcher’s destination. You do not need to go far into the park to start spotting species. The moment you enter the forest, bird calls surround you from every direction.
Nature Walks — Guided walks take you through the forest at a relaxed pace, with chances to spot the famous Uwinka mega troop of Angola Colobus monkeys, rare plants, ferns, lichens, and a wide range of mammals.
Isumo Waterfall — Follow the Isumo Waterfall Trail near Nyungwe House to reach one of the region’s most dramatic waterfalls. The hike back gives you plenty of opportunities to spot birds, frogs, and primates along the way.
Gisakura Tea Plantation — A visit to this working tea plantation makes for a relaxed afternoon activity. Walk through the fields, learn how tea is grown and processed, and enjoy views of Mount Bigugu on the horizon.
What to Pack
What is the Cost of a Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking Permit? Bring long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, a hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and energy snacks. Pack a camera without a flash and binoculars for birdwatching. A hiking stick is useful on steep or muddy trails and is available at the park. Always carry your permit, passport, and any other required travel documents.
Getting There
What is the Cost of a Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking Permit? Nyungwe Forest is roughly a four to five-hour drive south of Kigali, passing through Butare and along scenic lakeside roads. Domestic flights are also available from Kigali to Kamembe airstrip, which sits close to the park. A transfer vehicle is required from the airstrip to your lodge.
Contact Anthill Safaris to book your chimpanzee trekking permit, plan your Nyungwe itinerary, or combine this safari with gorilla trekking and other Rwanda adventures.
