Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda happens in Nyungwe. You walk into the forest with a guide to find a community of eastern chimpanzees. Three partly habituated communities can be trekked: Cyamudongo, Mayebe and Gisovu. A maximum of 8 people can visit each community per day, so permits are limited.
Seeing chimpanzees is never guaranteed. They move through the forest, and the walk can be short or long. Treat the permit as a chance, not a promise, and keep your plans flexible. The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking is 15 years.
Our picks: chimpanzee trekking tours
One tour with the chimp permit included, one with a permit paid separately. Sightings cannot be promised.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Five days: gorillas, chimpanzees and Nyungwe canopy
- Gorilla and chimp permits
- Canopy and park fees
- Four nights, full board
Nyungwe on days one and two, then Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park. Flights and visa are extra, and sightings cannot be promised.
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Three days: Akagera safari and Nyungwe chimps
- Chimpanzee permit
- Park entry and canopy walk
- Meals and lodging
Day one is a game drive in Akagera, then you transfer to Nyungwe for chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walk. Visa and flights are extra, and sightings cannot be promised.
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Two days at Nyungwe with chimpanzee trekking
- Hotel pick-up and return
- Private vehicle and guide
- King's Palace museum entry
The route runs via Nyanza to Nyungwe. The chimp trekking fee is extra; ask whether park entry is included before you book. Sightings cannot be promised.
Check availability →Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking and forest tours
Guided trips that include chimpanzee trekking, the canopy walk and forest hikes, with live prices and availability.
Chimpanzee trekking permit price in 2026
Per person, 2025 to 2026 tariff. A guide is included, park entry is extra.
| Activity | International and African visitors | International residents of Rwanda or the EAC | Rwanda and EAC citizens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimpanzee trekking | $150 | $75 | RWF 25,000 |
| Chimpanzee habituation | $200 | $100 | RWF 30,000 |
| Park entry, one night | $100 (international) | $60 | RWF 10,000 |
Trekking groups have 2 to 8 guests, and habituation is limited to 4. A smaller party still pays for 2. Payment is cashless, and the park asks for proof of a bank transfer before you arrive if you pay that way. Check the current amount before you book. The full list is on the park fees page. For most visitors, trekking is the right choice. Habituation suits those who want a whole day with one community.
Cyamudongo: the chimpanzee forest in the tea hills
A separate forest, and a separate trip.
Cyamudongo is its own forest block. It forms part of the World Heritage Site, but it is surrounded by farmland and tea fields and is not connected to the main forest as one continuous visitor area. Gisakura is the base for trekking there. The Community Centre at Gisakura has parking, a café, camping and guest accommodation. Ask whether transport from the Reception Centre to the forest is part of your price, and do not assume that it is.
Mayebe and Gisovu are the other two communities. Gisovu lies in the north of the park, where the park runs a guesthouse. If you plan more than one forest activity, use the lodging page to pick a base that is close to your start point.
Where to base yourself
Two starting points for chimpanzee trips.
For Cyamudongo, Gisakura is the base. The park camping there sits in the western corridor near the visitor centre and has 6 wooden platforms, and it is also the starting point for waterfall walks and community experiences. For Gisovu in the north, the park guesthouses have a canteen open from 07:00 to 20:00, and a take-away breakfast for the trek is possible. Chimpanzee treks are guided and need a permit, and the lodging page lists the options near both bases.
Habituation is not the same as trekking
Two activities with different lengths.
Trekking
You walk with a guide to a community that is partly used to people and spend time observing. The start time and the walk length depend on where the chimpanzees are, so ask for the briefing time when you book.
Habituation
A full-day experience offered from the guesthouse in the north of the park. It helps accustom a community to human presence and costs $200. Only 4 guests can join.
More communities in preparation
Habituation of further communities is under way. The three above are the ones visitors can join now.
Rules at the animals
Follow your guide on distance, group size and health rules, which the park explains in the briefing. Do not feed animals or leave the path.
Chimpanzees elsewhere
Where other primate trips are covered.
If you want chimpanzees in Uganda, Kibale National Park has its own guide. For mountain gorillas, see gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Nyungwe also has colobus troops, covered on the colobus page, and many other monkeys, listed on the primates page.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda: frequently asked questions
How much is a chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe?
For international visitors it is $150 per person, plus park entry from $100 for one night. Residents of Rwanda or the EAC pay $75, and Rwanda and EAC citizens pay RWF 25,000. Check the current amount before you book.
Will I see chimpanzees?
No sighting is guaranteed. The animals roam freely, and the walk length varies.
What is the minimum age?
Both chimpanzee activities, trekking and habituation, are open from 15 years.
How many people can join?
At most 8 people visit each community per day. A trekking group has 2 to 8 guests, and habituation is limited to 4.
Where does Cyamudongo trekking start?
From Gisakura, where the Community Centre has parking, a café, camping and guest accommodation. Ask whether transport to the forest is included in your booking.
Can I book through a tour company?
Yes, and you can also book directly through the park or the Rwanda Development Board. This site takes no bookings of its own.