Your journey begins in Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital city. Departing early in the morning, you head south toward Nyungwe Forest on a drive that typically takes five to six hours. Yet the journey itself is an essential part of the experience. Rwanda is famously known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” and nowhere is that title more fitting than along this route. The road winds through undulating landscapes where terraced farms climb steep slopes and banana groves sway gently in the breeze. Villages appear and disappear along the hillsides, their red earth roads and small markets offering glimpses into rural life. As you progress further south, vast tea plantations begin to dominate the scenery. Carefully manicured rows of tea stretch across ridgelines in rhythmic patterns, creating a striking contrast against the darker green of the natural forest beyond. Some itineraries allow a brief stop at a tea estate, where you can observe the harvesting process and enjoy panoramic views across the plantations. Approaching Nyungwe, the air cools noticeably. Mist drapes itself over the forest canopy, and the terrain grows more dramatic. The road edges the park boundary, revealing glimpses of dense vegetation and steep valleys that hint at the wilderness within. Upon arrival at your lodge near the Gisakura or Uwinka areas, you settle into accommodation nestled at the forest edge. Whether you choose a luxury eco-lodge with sweeping views or a comfortable mid-range hotel surrounded by greenery, the atmosphere is tranquil and immersive. The forest hums softly in the background, a constant reminder that tomorrow’s adventure lies just beyond your doorstep. As evening falls, clouds roll gently across the hills, and the temperature dips further. Dinner is served with views of the forested slopes, and anticipation builds for the early start ahead.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe begins before sunrise. The early start is not arbitrary; chimpanzees are most active in the morning hours, and locating them requires tracking their movements from the previous day. After a briefing at the park reception center, you are assigned to a small group accompanied by an experienced ranger and trackers. The briefing covers essential guidelines: maintaining a safe distance, limiting observation time to one hour once the chimpanzees are located, avoiding flash photography, and adhering strictly to conservation protocols. Nyungwe’s terrain demands respect. The forest is mountainous, and trails can be steep, narrow, and occasionally slippery. The altitude adds an extra layer of physical challenge, but it also contributes to the forest’s ethereal atmosphere. Mist clings to treetops, sunlight filters in delicate shafts, and the scent of damp earth and wild vegetation fills the air. As you trek deeper into the forest, the ranger interprets signs of chimpanzee activity—fresh nests high in the canopy, fruit remnants on the ground, and distant vocalizations carried across valleys. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees are highly mobile and fast-moving. Tracking them often involves adjusting pace and direction as information is relayed between ranger teams via radio communication. The forest reveals its richness along the way. You may encounter troops of Angolan colobus monkeys moving gracefully through the trees, their long white tails flowing behind them like banners. Grey-cheeked mangabeys chatter noisily in the undergrowth. Brightly colored turacos flash between branches, and the distant call of a hornbill resonates across the valley. Then, without warning, the forest erupts with sound. Pant-hoots echo through the canopy, rising and falling in a chorus that is unmistakably chimpanzee. The ranger signals for silence, and the group advances carefully. Soon, you see movement above—a dark shape swinging effortlessly from branch to branch. Another appears, then another. A chimpanzee pauses, glancing downward with alert curiosity before disappearing into foliage. Unlike gorillas, which often remain grounded, chimpanzees spend much of their time in the trees. Their agility is astonishing. They leap across gaps, climb with precision, and communicate constantly through vocalizations and gestures. Juveniles chase one another playfully, while adults groom or feed on wild fruits. If fortune allows, you may witness a dominant male display, drumming against tree trunks or vocalizing loudly to assert hierarchy. Mothers cradle infants close to their bodies, occasionally descending lower for clearer views. The hour you spend with them feels electric. Their expressions are strikingly familiar—intelligent, aware, and social. Watching them interact reveals complex social structures and emotional nuance. There is a moment, often fleeting, when eye contact is made. In that instant, the evolutionary connection between species feels tangible. When the ranger signals the end of the allocated time, you withdraw quietly, leaving the troop to continue its daily routine undisturbed. The descent back through the forest offers time for reflection. Physical exertion blends with exhilaration, and by the time you return to your lodge, the experience feels both surreal and deeply grounding. After lunch, you may choose to rest or participate in Nyungwe’s renowned canopy walkway experience. Suspended approximately 50 meters above the forest floor and stretching across a dramatic valley, the canopy bridge provides a rare perspective of the rainforest from above. Standing high above the treetops, you gain appreciation for the sheer scale and complexity of this ecosystem. Evening in Nyungwe is serene. The forest quiets gradually, replaced by the subtle sounds of nocturnal insects. Conversations over dinner often revolve around the morning’s encounter—each trek unique, each memory distinct.

Your final morning in Nyungwe offers an opportunity to explore additional aspects of this remarkable ecosystem. A guided nature walk reveals medicinal plants traditionally used by local communities, hidden waterfalls cascading through dense vegetation, and orchids clinging delicately to tree trunks. Alternatively, you may choose to track one of Nyungwe’s large Angolan colobus monkey troops. These groups can number in the hundreds, creating a dramatic spectacle as they move collectively through the forest canopy. The forest’s biodiversity becomes even more apparent on these walks. Butterflies flutter between shafts of light, and endemic bird species call from hidden perches. The ranger’s explanations deepen your understanding of how Nyungwe functions as both wildlife habitat and water source for the wider region. After breakfast and check-out, you begin the return journey to Kigali. The drive north retraces the scenic route through tea estates and rolling hills. By afternoon or early evening, you arrive back in the capital, carrying memories of misty mornings and the resonant calls of chimpanzees echoing through ancient valleys.