5 Days Nyungwe Chimp Trek & Cyinzobe Hiking Tour

5 Days Nyungwe Chimp Trek & Cyinzobe Hiking Tour

This 5 Days Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trek & Cyinzobe Hiking Tour takes you on a remarkable journey through Rwanda’s primate capital, Nyungwe Forest National Park.

During this 5 days Nyungwe tour, you will visit the former King’s palace in Nyanza, Gisakura Tea Estate, hike the Cyinzobe trail in Nyungwe Forest and trek with chimpanzees as well. This tour begins and ends in Kigali city, Rwanda’s capital.

Highlights for 5 Days Nyungwe Chimp Trek & Cyinzobe Hiking Tour

Day 1: Pickup from Kigali & Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park—Visit Gisakura Tea Estate

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy Walk

Day 3:  Drive to Uwinka Visitor Center Trail Head (Hiking Cyinzobe Trail)

Day 4: Explore Kamiranzovu Wetland

Day 5: Final Stretch to Gisakura and Transfer Back to Kigali

Detailed Itinerary for 5 days Nyungwe Chimp Trek & Cyinzobe Hiking Tour

Day 1: Pickup from Kigali & Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park—Visit Gisakura Tea Estate

In the morning, you will be picked up by the driver from your hotel in Kigali and embark on a 6-hour drive to Nyungwe National Park. You will have a stopover visit to the King’s Palace in Nyanza and lunch en route to the park.

After having your lunch, you will embark on a drive to Gisakura Tea Estate, where you will be taken on a tea-making process. You will take a tour of the grand tea estate and learn how tea is harvested, stored, processed and packaged for domestic sale and exportation. You will wind up your tour with a taste of Rwandan-made tea.

Later, drive to your lodge/hotel for dinner and overnight.

 Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy Walk

Enjoy breakfast and go for a briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe Forest. The chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing.

Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3 hours. On finding them, spend an hour taking pictures and videos.  You will then have your packed lunch and then head back to base. You will then proceed to your briefing point for the canopy walk. You will have a chance to explore the canopy walkway—a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees. You will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s-eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you.

Return back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3:  Drive to Uwinka Visitor Center Trail Head (Hiking Cyinzobe Trail)

Have your breakfast in time and check out of your lodge. You will then drive to Uwinka Visitor Center, which is the starting point for your 3-day hike on the Cyinzobe trail. After your briefing, begin your 3-hour hike (depending on your level of fitness and hiking pace) to arrive at your first campsite. The hike rewards you with stunning views of well-terraced hills and unique plant and tree species, as well as rich birdlife in the area.

Have dinner at your campsite.

Day 4: Explore Kamiranzovu Wetland

Start your day early with breakfast at your camping site. You will then hike along the edge of Kamiranzovu marsh, which is home to a large number of bird species, including Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, the Blue-headed Sunbird, Black-faced Apalis, Black-billed Turaco and the Pink-footed Puffback, among others. The hike along the Kamiranzovu trail takes approximately 6 hours and can be considered a relatively moderate hike. You will be camping near Kamiranzovu River and have dinner under a beautifully lit skyline.

Day 5: Final Stretch to Gisakura and Transfer Back to Kigali

Today marks the last day of your hike. Start your morning with breakfast before commencing your final stretch leading to Gisakura Visitor Center, where you will end your hike.

This hike takes roughly 3-4 hours depending on your pace. This makes the end of your hike along the 23-kilometer Cyinzobe trail. You will then embark on your return journey to Kigali, where you will be dropped off at a hotel of your choice or the airport.

End of 5 Days Nyungwe Chimp Trek & Cyinzobe Hiking Tour!