Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda happens in Nyungwe Forest National Park and its annex Cyamudongo Forest, in southwestern Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest, Africa’s largest Afro-Montane Forest is home to about 500 Chimpanzees and close to 100 that are habituated and used to Humans near them. The forest is the Perfect supplement to a
Gorilla Safari in Rwanda’s
Volcanoes National Park. There are two groups of habituated Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, the larger one has about 60 chimpanzees while the smaller group of 30 is tracked in Cyamudongo Forest area of the Park.
The
Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safari experience is different from the
Rwanda gorilla trekking safari as the chimps are running around in the tree canopies, and so there may be running after to catch up and sightings are a bit more irregular and rushed. Long before you see the Chimpanzees, you can hear their almost deafening screams, their hoots, and cackles. Unlike with the
Mountain Gorillas who are quite calm as you visit them, the chimpanzees are on the move both on the ground and in the Trees. An amazing sight for the Trekkers who come to visit on that day. You get one hour with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe, one hour that is quite memorable.
While you are in search of your Chimpanzee Groups you will most likely see other primates that are residents of the forest such as the large groups of Colobus Monkeys as well as Wild Orchids, and plants and trees that make up this vast Rainforest.
How are Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safaris done?
The chimp trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park sets off from three reception centers; Kitabi, Uwinka (main) and Gisakura where tourists can meet the park ranger guides. The tourists are expected to be at the reception center as early as 4.30am and at 5am drive to the starting point of the trek into the forest. Because the chimps nest somewhere new every night, there are trackers who go ahead of the trekking group to find them and communicate with the ranger guides. Tourists spend only one hour with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and get to observe them closely going about their lives and see the human-like features and behavior that make them our closest relatives with 98.7% DNA. Every now and then the chimps communicate by way of deafening screams, loud pant hoots and thunderous hitting (slapping) of the tree barks and buttresses. It is such a hair rising moment like no other, and quite memorable!
The cost of the permit for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park Rwanda is USD 90 for foreign non residents and USD 60 for foreign residents of Rwanda and East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi).
What to pack
We suggest that you dress for the occasion. Have a daypack with you, be sure to have plenty of wear with you like two liters of mineral water, wholesome snacks are also advised. Wear a good pair of hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, have a light rain jacket that you can put into your backpack, add a hat that will keep the sun out of your face.
Tips for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda
You must be 16 years and above
Average fitness is okay
Bring hiking shoes or boots, pants, long sleeved shirt, and a rain jacket
Carry at least two liters of drinking water and some snacks
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