What animals can I see in Lake Mburo National Park?

Lake Mburo is home to 69 mammal species and 332 bird species, including zebras, giraffes, elands, buffaloes and several antelope species. It is the only park in Uganda with impalas, and the only one in western Uganda with Burchell's zebra and eland. Leopards and hyenas are present, and lions have recently been sighted again after years of absence.

How do I get to Lake Mburo National Park from Kampala?

Lake Mburo is about 228 km (roughly 3.5 hours by road) west of Kampala, on the main road toward Bwindi and the Rwandan border. The park has three entrance gates: Nshara Gate, Sanga Gate, and Kyanyanshara Gate.

Is Lake Mburo National Park worth visiting?

Yes. It is one of the few places in Uganda where you can safari on horseback or by boat, not just by vehicle, and its smaller size means closer, more intimate wildlife encounters than in larger parks.

What is the best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park?

The dry months (June-August and December-February) offer the best wildlife viewing, as animals gather near water sources. The wetter months (March-May and September-November) are better for birdwatching and come with discounted lodge rates.

Can I combine Lake Mburo with gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

Yes. Lake Mburo is commonly combined with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, or with Queen Elizabeth National Park for a longer wildlife circuit.

Is Lake Mburo National Park safe for tourists?

Yes. All game drives, nature walks, and forest walks are led by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, and walking alone in the park is not permitted for safety reasons.

What activities are available in Lake Mburo National Park?

Game drives, boat cruises, guided nature walks, birdwatching, cultural visits with the local Banyankole community, and, through partner lodges, horseback safaris and mountain biking.

3 Days Nyungwe Forest National Park

3 Days Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park, situated in southwestern Rwanda within the western branch of the Great Rift Valley, is one of Africa’s oldest and most well-preserved rainforests. Spanning approximately 1,019 square kilometers, it is also the continent’s largest Afro-Montane forest. Established as a national park in 2004, Nyungwe has become a cornerstone of Rwanda’s tourism industry. Its rich biodiversity includes hundreds of bird species and a variety of unique flora and fauna. The park’s diverse landscapes ranging from dense Afromontane forest and bamboo-covered hills to grasslands and wetlands make it one of Rwanda’s premier travel destinations.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is renowned for its chimpanzee tracking, which remains the park’s most popular and iconic activity. The forest is home to two habituated chimpanzee groups, offering visitors a rare opportunity to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Another highlight of a visit to Nyungwe is the exhilarating canopy walk an elevated trail of hanging bridges that allows travellers to stroll above the treetops and soak in breathtaking views of the forest below. Beyond chimpanzees, the park is a biodiversity hotspot, boasting around 85 mammal species, including 13 primates, and over 300 bird species 29 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift.

3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park is one of the most popular tour packages for Rwanda. The safari takes you for an amazing time in the forest. The tour includes chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest, a canopy walks, nature walks, visiting one of the tea estates and stops to some interesting historical sites. By the end of the trip, you will be impressed with the natural beauty of the country and what it has to offer. The 3 days safari in Nyungwe forest starts and ends in Kigali.

Safari Highlights.

Pick up – Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Guided tour at King’s Palace Museum
Chimpanzee and primate tracking
Long Canopy Walk
Nature walk at Gisakura Tea Estate
Transfer back to Kigali City or Kigali Airport

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: You will be warmly welcomed by our driver-guide upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport or at your hotel in the morning. After a brief introduction and safari briefing, you will embark on a scenic six-hour journey to the southwestern region of Rwanda, where Nyungwe National Park is located. Along the way, you will stop in Nyanza for a guided tour of the King’s Palace and Museum once the royal residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa. After this cultural experience, you will continue your journey with a lunch stop En route. Upon arrival at the park, you will proceed to your lodge for check-in, followed by a relaxing evening and dinner.

Dinner and overnight: Nyungwe Forest Lodge/Hill Hotel/Gisakura Guest House/ One and Only Nyungwe House

Day 2: Chimpanzee and primate tracking – Canopy Walk

You will start your day early with breakfast at the lodge before heading out for a full day of adventure. Your driver will transfer you to Uwinka, where the chimpanzee tracking briefing begins at 5:30 AM. In Nyungwe, chimpanzee tracking starts earlier than in Uganda’s Kibale Forest due to the chimps’ high mobility. There are two main trails used for tracking in Nyungwe: the Uwinka trail and the Cyamudongo trail. After the briefing, park rangers will assign you to one of the trails based on group size and availability. You will then be driven to the designated starting point for your trek. During your time with the chimpanzees, you will have the chance to witness fascinating behaviours such as grooming, breastfeeding, mating, and playful interactions. Unlike mountain gorillas, chimpanzees are highly arboreal and spend much of their time in the treetops.

During chimpanzee tracking, expect to spot 12 smaller species of primate including Hamlyn’s Monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, golden monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, Angola Colobus, Silver monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red tailed Monkeys, grey cheeked Mangabeys, vervet monkeys and l’hoest’s monkeys. After spotting the chimps, you will go for lunch at the hotel.

After lunch, get ready for an unforgettable experience of a long canopy walk suspended 70 meters above the forest floor. This thrilling walk takes you across a hanging bridge that weaves through the towering trees of Nyungwe, offering breathtaking aerial views of the forest below. As you make your way across, you will have the chance to spot colorful bird species and primates feeding. Nyungwe National Park is the only place in East Africa where you can enjoy this unique canopy walk, which begins at the Uwinka Visitor’s Center. After completing the walk, you will hike back to the starting point and reunite with your driver, who will take you back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

3 Days Nyungwe Forest National Park — Nyungwe-Forest-National-Park

Day 3: Nature walk – Transfer back to Kigali City or Kigali Airport

On your final day of your 3-day Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking Safari. After an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and meet your driver-guide for a morning nature experience. You will head to Gisakura Tea Estate for a guided tour of the plantation and factory. During your visit, you will gain insights into the entire tea production process from cultivation and harvesting to processing and packaging. You will also have the chance to interact with local farmers as they skillfully pick tea leaves into traditional baskets and share their knowledge about tea harvesting techniques. After the tour, you will begin your scenic drive back to Kigali where your driver will drop you off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport, marking the end of an unforgettable adventure.

The 3 Days safari in Nyungwe forest includes: –

Chimpanzee trekking permits
Transport and a Guide/Driver with good English-speaking skills
Full board accommodation for 2 nights
Bottled water
Vehicle and Fuel

Tour Excludes

International and domestic flight
Rwandan Visa
Medical and Travel insurance
Optional activities
Personal expenditures on Tips, alcoholic drinks, laundry, buying souvenirs, crafts and international phone calls