Colobus monkey tracking in Nyungwe
Colobus monkey tracking is a guided walk to a troop of Angolan colobus. The park runs it from two starting points: a troop of more than 400 animals is followed from Uwinka, and a troop of about 50 from Gisakura. Those are figures for the troops that guides follow, not a count of every colobus in the park.
The walk is a good match for a day in the forest. It also pairs well with the Nyungwe canopy walk, which starts from the same Uwinka centre.
How a colobus tracking works
The practical side, step by step.
A guide leads
Walks in Nyungwe are guided. You may not walk alone or leave the paths, and feeding animals is banned. Fines of $150 apply for breaking the rules.
Small groups
Activities like this take 2 to 8 guests, and a single guest pays for 2. The guide is included in the activity fee, and the park entrance is paid in addition.
Start at the visitor centre
Day visitor centres on the main road open from 07:00 to 17:00. That is the centre's opening time, not the start time of your tracking. Ask for the time of your activity when you book.
Dress for rain
Wear sturdy shoes with grip and bring a light rain jacket. Paths can be slippery and muddy after rain, and boots and rain gear can be borrowed at the park.
Our pick: a colobus trek
The one trip here built around colobus trekking.
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.
Nyungwe tours with colobus tracking
Guided trips to Nyungwe that include primate tracking, canopy walks and forest hikes, with live prices and availability. Check whether the activity fees are part of the price.
Black and white colobus: the Angolan colobus
The Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis) is one of the black and white colobus monkeys. Nyungwe is home to the form that lives in the Albertine Rift, the western arm of the East African Rift. The monkeys eat mostly leaves and spend their days in the trees, so you look up more than ahead.
Larger numbers than the tracked troops exist: a community of 600 animals has been observed in the forest. Do not read that as a troop you will find on any given day. Plan for the troop your guide follows and be glad about every extra group that crosses your path.
Uwinka or Gisakura
The two starting points compared.
| Uwinka | Gisakura | |
|---|---|---|
| Troop size | More than 400 | About 50 |
| Also starts here | The canopy walk | Waterfall hikes, Cyamudongo chimpanzees, tea visits |
| Stay nearby | Park camping and a guesthouse with 2 bedrooms | Park camping with 6 wooden platforms |
| Fee for international visitors | $40 per person | $40 per person |
For most visitors, Uwinka is the better first choice. It has the larger troop, and it puts the canopy walk and the visitor centre in one place. Choose Gisakura if you sleep in the west or want to combine the tracking with a tea estate visit.
Plan the rest of the forest
Colobus fit into a bigger Nyungwe plan.
Primates of Nyungwe
13 species and which activity fits each one.
Chimpanzee trekking
Three communities, minimum age 15.
Park fees 2026
Entry and activity fees for each visitor type.
Savanna wildlife in the east of Rwanda is a different trip. See Akagera National Park for that.
A day at Uwinka
One way to fill a forest day.
Uwinka suits a full day because several activities start at the same centre. Begin with the colobus tracking, then walk to the canopy bridge, a suspension bridge that is 160 m long and up to 70 m above a gorge. The walk from the Uwinka centre to the bridge takes about 1 hour on foot, and that is one way, so allow time to return.
If you are nervous about heights, say so when you book. The bridge is exposed, and the pages on the canopy walk explain what to expect. Colobus tracking follows the forest paths, which makes it an easy first activity for the day.
Colobus monkeys in Nyungwe: frequently asked questions
How big are the colobus troops in Nyungwe?
The troop tracked from Uwinka has more than 400 Angolan colobus, and the troop tracked from Gisakura about 50. These are the troops guides follow, not a park census.
How much does colobus tracking cost?
International visitors pay $40 per person under the 2025–2026 tariff, residents of Rwanda and the EAC pay $20, and Rwandan and EAC citizens pay RWF 5,000. The park entrance is extra. Check the current amount before you book.
Are colobus monkeys the same as chimpanzees?
No. Colobus are leaf-eating monkeys that live in large troops. Chimpanzees are apes, they have their own activity and a higher fee, and you must be 15 or older.
Will I definitely see the colobus?
No sighting is guaranteed. Wild animals decide where they are on your day.
Who do I book colobus tracking with?
You can book through the park, which is managed by African Parks with the Rwanda Development Board, or through a tour operator. A guide is included in the activity fee.