National park · Rwanda
Nyungwe National ParkParc National de Nyungwe
Spend a day on the canopy walk (30 min) and a half‑day chimpanzee trek (3–4 h) for about US$30 entry; best visited June‑August to avoid rain and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
970 km² (375 sq mi)375 sq mi (970 km²)
approximate
Established
2004
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Rwanda ↗Rwanda issues visas on arrival to all nationalities; check on the Directorate General of Immigration site whether your passport is fee-exempt, and use the official Irembo portal for any online application.
- Rwanda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and carry a yellow fever certificate if you come from or connect through a risk country.
- Rwanda ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned and can be confiscated on arrival; pack in fabric or paper.
- Rwanda ↗On the last Saturday morning of each month (Umuganda community work), many businesses close and traffic is restricted; plan transfers around it.
At a glance
- Country
- Rwanda
- Area
- 970 km² (375 sq mi)375 sq mi (970 km²)
- Area is given as 970 km² of rainforest; figures may vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2004
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Nyungwe National Park protects one of the largest remaining montane rainforests in Central Africa, home to 13 primate species, over 270 birds and a rich array of plants. Established in 2004, the park offers a canopy walk, chimpanzee tracking and the Nile‑Congo divide trek, while supporting local communities through revenue‑sharing projects.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2023Extension of the Albertine Rift forest heritage.
Size and age
970 km² (375 sq mi)375 sq mi (970 km²) · national park since 2004
Area is given as 970 km² of rainforest; figures may vary by source (check).
Why go
- One of the most intact montane rainforests in Central Africa with 13 primate species.
- Canopy walk offers a suspended view of the forest canopy.
- Chimpanzee tracking lets you see habituated groups up close.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCool, some rain.
- FebCool, occasional showers.
- MarIncreasing dryness.
- AprDrying trend.
- MayStart of dry season.
- JunDry, warm.
- JulDry, warm.
- AugDry, warm.
- SepEnd of dry season.
- OctRain increases.
- NovRainy, cooler.
- DecRainy, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis ruwenzori)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various endemic birds (turacos, sunbirds)Mar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kigali
Bus to Cyangugu (≈5 h) then taxi or local bus 55 km (34 mi) to Uwinka gate.Bus to Cyangugu (≈5 h) then taxi or local bus 34 mi (55 km) to Uwinka gate.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From Cyangugu
Taxi or local bus along the main road to Uwinka gate.
1–1.5 h
From Huye
Taxi or bus 90 km (56 mi) east on the same road.Taxi or bus 56 mi (90 km) east on the same road.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Uwinka headquarters | Gate, visitor centre, canopy walk start, basic facilities. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Chimpanzee tracking area | Designated trails near the headquarters, guided only. | Guide required. |
| Canopy walk sector | Suspended platform across a valley, near the headquarters. | Ticket required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park and key visitor points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Uwinka gate) | RWF 3,000–5,000 | person | 2026 estimate; check official RDB rates. |
| Canopy walk ticket | RWF 15,000–20,000 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Chimpanzee tracking (group of up to 4) | RWF 30,000–40,000 | group | 2026 estimate. |
| Nile‑Congo divide multi‑day trek (up to 4 people) | US$400,000 | group | US$400 per group, per source. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Canopy walk ticket permit or guide
Chimpanzee tracking permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- RWF 3,000–5,000
- RWF 15,000–20,000
- RWF 30,000–40,000
- US$400,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Rwanda Development Board – Nyungwe Canopy Walk before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for chimpanzee tracking and any trail beyond the headquarters area.
- Camping
- Only allowed at designated campsites (e.g., Uwinka headquarters camp).
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins are limited.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without RDB permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Eco‑lodge on the park edge, rooms with views of the forest.
Near the park
Gisakura Guesthouse
Basic rooms on the main road, easy access to the gate.
Safety
Steep trails and slippery rocks medium
Altitude‑related cold nights low
Wildlife encounters (leopard, duiker) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by car; short walks to canopy walk.
- Longer trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local RDB‑approved guides; fees support community projects.
- Choose lodges that use solar power and waste‑reduction practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nyungwe National Park?
Entry is about 3,000–5,000 RWF per adult (≈US$3‑5). A canopy walk ticket adds roughly 15,000–20,000 RWF (≈US$15‑20).
What are the best hikes in Nyungwe National Park?
The canopy walk (easy, 30 min), chimpanzee tracking (moderate, 3‑4 h) and the Nile‑Congo divide multi‑day trek (hard, 2‑3 days) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Nyungwe National Park?
June to August offers the driest conditions and the highest chance of clear trails and wildlife sightings.
Do I need a guide for the canopy walk?
No guide is required, but you must buy a ticket at the canopy walk desk.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only at designated sites such as the Uwinka headquarters camp; other areas are prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nyungwe National Park
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