3-Day Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda

There’s something truly humbling about locking eyes with a wild chimpanzee in its natural home no fences, no cages, just the raw, honest beauty of nature. Deep within the emerald canopy of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest, you’ll find a world teeming with life, mystery, and stories untold. This 3-day chimpanzee trekking adventure is not just a tour; it’s a soulful journey into one of Africa’s oldest rainforests—one that will leave your heart a little fuller and your perspective forever changed.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a wildlife enthusiast, or just someone craving a deeper connection with the world, Nyungwe will whisper something unforgettable to your spirit.

Trip Highlights

Seamless airport pickup from Kamembe International Airport
Chimpanzee trekking through Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest
Canopy walk experience – 50 meters above the forest floor
Guided forest nature walks and birdwatching
Comfortable eco-lodge accommodations nestled in nature
Authentic Rwandan cuisine with a viewLocal guide insights into conservation and wildlife

Day 1: Arrival in the Land of a Thousand Hills

Location: Arrival at Kamembe International Airport Transfer to Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meals: Lunch & Dinner included

Your adventure begins the moment you touch down at Kamembe International Airport, Rwanda’s charming southwestern gateway nestled close to Lake Kivu. One of our friendly local guides will be there to greet you with a warm smile and a sense of purpose to lead you into the wild.

As we drive toward Nyungwe Forest, watch the landscape shift into a sea of green hills and banana groves. Rolling tea plantations stretch out like velvet blankets, and the air is fresh with promise. After roughly an hour’s scenic drive, you’ll arrive at your eco-lodge, a beautifully designed retreat blending into the edge of the forest. It’s peaceful, it’s intimate and it’s your base for the next two nights.

Depending on your arrival time, you might enjoy a leisurely nature walk or just kick back on the terrace with a cup of Rwandan tea, listening to the chorus of birds welcoming you to their world.

Evening tip: Step outside after dinner. The stars here don’t just shine they blaze.

Day 2: Into the Wild – Chimpanzee Trekking Experience

Location: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Main Activity: Chimpanzee Trekking

Rise early real early. Today begins before the forest fully wakes, but trust us, it’s worth every minute of lost sleep. After a quick breakfast and a briefing by the park rangers, you’ll head into the jungle. The air is cool, the mist is heavy, and every step on the forest floor feels like a step into another world.

Nyungwe is home to over 500 chimpanzees, and although they’re wild and free, experienced trackers lead you through the dense vegetation, following vocalizations, broken branches, and fresh tracks.

When you finally encounter a troop playful, expressive, intelligent

it’s magic. Watching them leap from tree to tree, groom each other, or curiously study you in return feels like time slows down. You see not just animals, but a mirror of our own nature. You’ll spend up to an hour in their presence, and trust us, it’ll stay with you for a lifetime.

After the trek, return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and a bit of rest. In the afternoon, head back out for a canopy walk a suspended bridge hanging 50 meters above the forest floor. Up here, birds flit beneath your feet and the treetops stretch into the horizon.

Evening Vibes: Share stories around a fire pit, sip on a local banana beer, and maybe even hear traditional Rwandan songs from the lodge staff.

Day 3: Nature Walk & Departure

Location: Nyungwe Forest Kamembe International Airport
Meals: Breakfast included

After a restful night, enjoy a slow breakfast with forest views. If time allows, join a short morning guided nature walk to explore more of the biodiversity Nyungwe offers monkeys, butterflies, orchids, and birds whose colors look painted by hand.

This final stroll is your chance to say a quiet goodbye to the forest and everything it’s shown you.

Your guide will then transfer you back to Kamembe Airport in time for your onward flight. As you drive back through the hills, you might not leave with souvenirs or city stories, but you’ll carry something even more meaningful a deeper connection to nature, and perhaps, a renewed sense of wonder.

What to Bring

Comfortable hiking shoes
Light rain jacket (forest weather is moody!)
A pair of binoculars for birdwatching
Long-sleeved clothing for trekking
Camera with zoom lens for the perfect chimp shot
A curious heart and adventurous spirit

A Few Things to Know

Trekking difficulty: Moderate (trail can be steep and muddy)
Minimum age: 15 years for chimpanzee trekking
Group size: Small, intimate groups for low impact and better wildlife viewing
Eco-friendly: This tour supports local communities and conservation

Final Thought

You won’t find flashing signs or fancy tourism gimmicks in Nyungwe. What you will find is something more rare: authenticity, silence, wonder. This forest doesn’t perform it simply exists, timeless and wild. And for three unforgettable days, you get to be part of its story.

Let your inner explorer out. Come walk where the wild things are.