Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda: After gorilla trekking in the popular Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking is the second most popular activity in Rwanda. at Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking takes place at Nyungwe Forest National Park. It entails walking through the tropical rainforest to find habituated chimpanzees and spending an hour with them in their natural environment.
More than 500 chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, silver monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, Rwenzori colobus, and Mona monkeys are among the approximately 13 primate species that call Nyungwe Forest National Park home. A wide range of bird species may be seen in the national park, which is also one of Rwanda’s top birding locations.
Trekking with chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park
In Nyungwe Forest National Park, chimpanzee trekking begins very early in the morning with a training on the guidelines to be followed. Following the lecture, an expert park guide will lead you on a trip into the forest to find the habituated chimpanzees.
Because chimpanzees prefer to roam about in search of food, trekking with them might take anything from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on their location. While trekking, you will have the opportunity to see various primate species, birds, plants, and trees.
After the chimpanzees are located, you will be able to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat, where you can observe their feeding, nursing, playing, resting, hunting, fighting, grooming, mating, taking pictures, and recording videos.
The price of a hiking permit for chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Visitors over the age of 15 are granted a legal card known as a chimpanzee trekking permit, which enables them to spend an hour with chimpanzees in their natural environment. In Rwanda, foreign non-residents must pay 90 USD per person for a chimpanzee trekking permit, while foreign residents must pay 60 USD per person.
Beginning January 1, 2023, the cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit at Nyungwe Forest National Park will be $250 for non-resident foreigners, $135 for locals, and $35 for citizens of East Africa.
How to reserve a hiking permit for chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), you can either make a direct reservation for a chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park by calling or emailing the RDB’s head office in Kigali.
You can also reserve a chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park by contacting a reputable tour company, such as All In Africa Safaris, and providing the day, month, and year you would want to see the chimps. After getting in touch with us, we will see if there are any permits available on the days you have selected. If so, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will obtain the permits on your behalf as soon as we have the funds.
The best way to save time and hassle is to book chimpanzee trekking permits through All In Africa Safaris. We will not only buy the permits for you, but we will also organize your entire safari, including transportation to the park, lodging for the duration of your trip, activities to partake in after chimpanzee trekking, and other safari destinations.
The ideal period to trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is during the dry season, also known as the peak season, which is June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. This is because the park receives less rainfall during this time, making the chimpanzee trekking trails dry and passable, making trekking easier than during the rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slippery, making trekking challenging.
Accommodations for your Rwandan chimpanzee trekking safari
During your chimpanzee trekking safari, you can stay at a variety of lodging establishments in and near Nyungwe Forest National Park. One and Only Nyungwe House, Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Nziza Eco-lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Kitabi Eco-Centre, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Gisakura Family Hostel, Keza Lodge, Uwinka Campsite, and Emeraude Kivu Resort are just a few of the affordable, moderate, and upscale lodging options available.
The Nyungwe Forest National Park travel route
In order to reach the park headquarters, tourists must drive from Kigali through Muhanga, Nyanza, and Huye town. The drive takes approximately five to six hours. Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in the southwest region of Rwanda.
Another way to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park is by air. Visitors can reserve domestic flights with Rwanda Air from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport in Rusizi and charter helicopter flights with Akagera Aviation from Kigali International Airport to the one and only Nyungwe house. From there, they can drive an hour or so to the park headquarters.
Things to bring when walking with chimpanzees in Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda requires a number of essential items, such as a warm sweater, drinking water and energy snacks, a camera and extra batteries, hiking shoes to keep your feet dry, a waterproof water jacket to protect you from rain, long-sleeved shirts and trousers to keep you warm and protect you from biting insects, a walking stick, a back pack, and other items.
In Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking is a fascinating activity that can be combined with other activities such as bird viewing, mountain climbing, Batwa trail experience, canopy walk, and mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. For additional details regarding chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, get in touch with All In Africa Safaris.
