Visit Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park is the largest Afro-Montane and oldest rainforest in Africa. A bio-diverse forest reserve spanning 1,019 km2 located in the south western part of Rwanda close to Burundi border and Lake Kivu however it also stretches towards the Rusizi district in Southwestern Uganda.

Established in 1933 during the colonial era as a reserve, its status was changed to national park in 2004 by the Rwandan government. The mountainous nature of the park has attracted various plant and animal species especially primates with 13 different kinds such as chimpanzees, colobus and owl-faced monkeys, 1068 plant species, 200 tree species, 248 kinds of orchids, 85 mammals and over 300 bird species.

The park’s main headquarters is Uwinka in the middle of the park, 228.7 km away from Kigali city however the other reception centers are Kitabi close to the park’s entrance and Gisakura.

Nyungwe National Park is a popular destination for ecotourism and there are a variety of activities one can enjoy such as the canopy walk, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching and hiking. The park has boosted Rwanda’s tourism industry ever since it was established and it plays its roles as an important conservation area providing about 75% of Rwanda’s water.

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Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity carried out in Nyungwe National Park. It’s an exhilarating adventure and opportunity you ought not to miss as it takes you on a journey of encountering one of our closest relatives in the wild.

Nyungwe forest has over 500 chimpanzees and two habituated chimpanzee communities; one made up of 30 members is located at Uwinka forest and the largest of 60 members in Cyamundongo forest area. 

The trekking adventure starts during morning hours between 5-8 am, you are to meet the game rangers at any one of the reception centers for a briefing that involves informing you about the trek what to expect and what not to do while at it. After the briefing, you then head over to the trailhead, the starting point of the hike that leads you to the chimpanzees.

The hike can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the location of the chimps, the hike is about 4.2km at an altitude of 240m. The hurdles you may face are the steep terrain that might be muddy and slippery during the wet season and disturbing insects therefore you need to have insect repellent and good hiking boots and waterproof clothing and raincoats just in case it rains. Don’t forget to carry water and snacks and above all you must be physically able and fit to trek.

When you eventually meet the chimpanzees, you are allowed to spend an hour with primates and observing just how similar they are to man such as how they communicate, feed, play and groom with each other. As you approach their territory you are welcomed by screams and hoots of the playful chimpanzees. You can also look out for birds and monkeys on the tree tops during the hike.

Chimpanzee trekking permits cost USD 90 per person and the fee is paid directly to the Rwanda Development Board.

Activities in Nyungwe National Park

This is the only canopy walk in East Africa, hanging at 60 meters above the ground and stretching for 200 meters. This suspension bridge lets you view the from above, you are able to see monkeys, birds, plants, the tree canopies, feel the cooling breeze above and enjoy the unique perspective of the forest from a different angle. It’s a thrilling activity suitable for those who aren’t afraid of heights.

The Park has over 300 birds and some of these are endemic to the Albertine Rift such as the Ruwenzori nightjar, Kungwe apalis, Shelley’s crimson wing. The major trails for birdwatching are Bigugu trail, Kamiranzovu marsh trail and Karamba birding trail.

The parks ecosystem has blessed the park with diverse features like swamps, waterfalls, orchids, flora and fauna and also supported the growth of tea on the outskirts of the park. You can embark on any of the 15 trails that are as long as 10 km such as Igishigishi trail, Umoyove trail and the Isumo waterfall trail.

Best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.

The best time is during the months of June, July and August very early in the morning when the chimpanzees have just woken up. During that time, they are all still together before some move to search for food.

F.A.Q.

There is no standard price for Uganda, Rwanda or Congo gorilla permit –each country has its rates. In Uganda, the charges vary depending on the visitor category. The foreign non-residents are charged USD 700 to have their gorilla permits booked, USD 600 for foreign residents and Ugandans (East Africa citizens) pay shs. 250,000 per person. To have a gorilla permit secured/booked, you need USD 1500 for Rwanda and this is most ideal for luxury/high-end travelers interested in visiting the endangered mountain gorillas.

When booking a gorilla permit, it is also a good thing to have a destination of your desire in mind. The key places to consider a must-visit on gorilla tour include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park –these are gorilla trekking destinations for tourists on a tour in Uganda. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is where you can locate habituated mountain gorilla families and crossing the D.R. Congo, you can explore Virunga National Park.

It is a good thing to also understand when best to book your gorilla permits to avoid having issues on actual date of gorilla trekking. Considering our experience, we always recommend our clients to have their permits booked early enough at least 2-4 months. This can save you from last minute stress, especially if you plan to travel during the dry season also considered to be the peak season. The peak months of the year fall around June, July, August to September, and December, January to February.

Gorilla permits are among the relevant documents visitors must have to be allowed to track gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not any gorilla permit should be presented on actual gorilla trekking adventure but a valid one. Booking gorilla permits is part of making the entire gorilla trip complete and should be done early enough before the actual visit to see mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas.

To have your gorilla permit booked, there is a process one should undergo through and is generally tedious. Considering your tight schedule back home, you may wonder how easier you can have your permit booked in advance to avoid last minute stress.

The easiest way to secure your gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda is by dealing with a recognized tour operator/company on the ground. This is where our reservation team comes in. As part of your gorilla safari requirement, our team being on ground will ensure that your permit is booked early enough and everything else that is needed for gorilla trekking is put together.

The beauty about dealing with local safari company such as ours is that we have knowledge on the different gorilla groups and surrounding communities plus various accommodation facilities for your night stay. This is in addition to making the entire gorilla permit booking process easier on behalf of our clients.

There is also an option of booking the permit directly through the reservation team of respective park authorities. But the challenge is that you must undergo through the long process to have your permit booked and this may not favor you depending on your schedule. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is an organ in charge not only for conservation of wildlife in the Pearl of Africa but also sets prices for tourism activities in the parks including gorilla permits. In Rwanda, you can contact Rwanda Tourism Board/Rwanda Development Board to have your permit booked.

The East African tourist visa is a joint visa that permits one to travel to specific countries within East Africa, namely Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only. A joint tourist visa can be used several times for various purposes as long as it’s not overdue. 

Tourists should therefore find it important to always remember that the tourist visa lasts for only 90 days.  Processing the tourist visa takes a maximum period of two working days. It is also important to note that the tourist visa prohibits employment.

The process of applying for a tourist visa has been made easier since it can be done with the help of a tour operator or by the individual themselves online through the Ministry of Internal Affairs immigration portal. Visitors are required to log in to the portal, go ahead and accept the terms and conditions for the tourist visa, select the Visa / permit type, the subcategory and category, complete the application form and upload the required documents. 

A reference number will be generated and sent to you through your email, submit it and proceed to payment. It’s important to note that the payment can be made using Visa cards.  An approval letter will be sent to your email after the above process.

Report at the immigration office or border post for the biometric capture with all the necessary documents, receipt of payment, approval letter and your passport. Visitors should regard it as important to enter through the home country issuing the visa.

The East African tourist visa costs a fee of $100 only, meaning that it can be obtained by all travelers ranging from the budget to luxurious ones.

  • Persons aged 15 years and above are allowed to trek gorillas.
  • Avoid sneezing in the presence of gorillas.
  • Always stay away from gorillas by observing distance
  • Do not try to feed gorillas
  • Do not chew in the presence of gorillas
  • Do not take photos with flash light on.