2 Days Nyungwe Hike
The 2 Days Nyungwe hike takes you to Nyungwe Forest National Park located in southwestern Rwanda. Explore and enjoy the hidden beauty of this Afro montane forest believed to be the oldest in Africa. Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in 2004 covering a total land area of 970 square kilometers comprised of forests, bogs swamps, bamboos and grasslands which provide food and habitat for wild animals and birds. The forest is bordered by Burundi’s Kirabira forest in the south and Cong’s Lake Kivu in the west. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a prime destination for chimpanzees in Rwanda hence the best destination for chimpanzee trekking adventure. The Park is consisting of over 1068 tree species, 38 reptiles, 13 primates, 275 birds and 32 amphibians. Initially, habitat loss to deforestation and poaching were great hindrances of tourism in this park and thanks to the conservation efforts that have restored this magical forest.
The primate species in Nyungwe Forest National Park include Grey cheeked mangabeys Red tailed monkeys, Common chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Golden monkeys, Lhoest Monkeys, Hamly’s monkey, Vervet monkey, Red tailed monkeys, Silver monkeys and Dents, monkeys among others. Prima trekking is therefore the number one travel experience done in in Nyungwe Forest.
More so Nyungwe Forest National park offers the best hiking adventures following different trails. These include Kamiranzovu trail, Imbaraga trail, Ngabwe Trail, Buhoro trail, Muzimu trail, Congo Nile Divide trail, Bigugu trail, Igishigishi trail, Ngabwe trail and Rukuzi trail. Some of the interesting activities done in Nyungwe Forest National Park include chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk, primate watching, bird watching, nature walks, motor biking and waterfall hiking among others.
The 2 Days Nyungwe hiking tour offers you memorable canopy walk and chimpanzee trekking adventure starting and ending in Kigali
Trip summary
Day 1: Pick up, transfer to Nyungwe Forest & Canopy walk
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking & departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up, transfer to Nyungwe Forest & Canopy walk
Your driver guide will pick you up from your hotel or Kigali airport, brief you on what to expect and start off a drive south westwards to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive through Kigali city is thrilling giving you chance to enjoy the beautiful and clean Kigali. You will have a stop at Butare museum to learn a bout Rwanda’s traditions, norms and customs and then proceed with a drive to the Afro montane forest. The drive time from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest takes roughly 6 hours meaning. Arrive in the afternoon, check in the lodge, have lunch and transfer to Uwinka visitor Information Centre for registration and briefing on canopy walk. You will the follow the Igishigishigi trail for your canopy walk experience. The 2 hours walk above the forest on the 70 meters suspended bridge offers you great aerial views of the afromontane forest, bird, wildlife, Virunga volcanoes and many other attractions in the area and the neighborhood
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking & departure
Your great day of seeing the endangered chimpanzees is today! You will wake up very early, have breakfast and transfer to Uwinka visitor information. You will be given packed lunch since the actual time to spend in the jungle is not certain. While at Uwinka, you will be briefed on the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking to ensure safety of these endangered primates which share over 99% of human genes making them man’s close relatives. You will be assigned armed park rangers to lead through the jungle forest ad help you search for the chimpanzees. The trek in search of the chimpanzees can last for up to over 5 hours depending on where they will located that day. However, you are 99% guaranteed of meeting these amazing primates at the end of the trek. The allowed time to pend with the chimpanzee community is strictly an hour counted from the time you meet them. In your search for the chimps, you may encounter other primates especially the colubus monkeys and birds. the loud shouts and hoots of chimpanzees heard from a distance notify you on which direction to take. Chimpanzees trekking is therefore as not strenuous as the sister gorilla tracking. Thereafter, return to the lodge, refresh, check out and drive back to Kigali for your departure flight.
End of the tour
Tour Inclusions
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Canopy walk
- Accommodation & meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Full time English speaking guide
- Ground Transport
- Government taxes
- All activities included in the itinerary
- Miscellaneous
Tour Exclusions
- Porter’s fee & tips
- Personal expenses (phone calls and shopping)
- Extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips