Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park is a very thrilling and adventurous experience for any tourist visiting Rwanda. Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda are mainly conducted in Nyungwe Forest national park, although some can opt to track chimpanzees in the newly established Gishwati-Mukura national park.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park is conducted in Cyamudongo forest, with three major head trails starting from Uwinka, Kitabi and Gisakura posts. This is where most visitors can hire the services of a porter to carry your luggage. However, you will be required to pay an extra cost to have your luggage carried.
The park has the largest population of chimpanzees in East and Central Africa, with a record population of over 400 individuals. Nyungwe Forest alone has over 60 habituated chimpanzees while Cyamudongo Forest has 30 habituated chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park starts at 5am with registration at the park headquarters, which is followed by a briefing from the head ranger at the park. After you have been briefed, you will then be placed in tracking groups and allocated a park guide and ranger.
How long does Chimpanzee trekking take in Nyungwe national park?
Tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest national park can take between 4-6 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park is conducted in groups not exceeding a maximum of 8 members per group.
Once you have located a group of chimpanzees, you will only be given an hour to spend with the chimpanzees. It is here that you can take pictures with your camera, just make sure that you have disabled the flashlight on your camera.
How much is chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park?
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest national park costs USD 90 dollars per person. The activity is restricted to persons aged 15 years and above. Visitors with conical health problems are required to get medical clearance from your respective doctors.
How to Book your permit to do chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park?
Visitors interested in doing chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park can make bookings for your chimpanzee trekking permit directly through the reservations office at the park headquarters in Uwinka or in Kigali city. Alternatively, you can book your chimpanzee trekking permit through a trusted tour operator company like Explore Rwanda Tours.
Best Time to do Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
The best time to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest national park is in the months of June to August. During this time, it is the dry season in the park which means that visitors can easily hike through the dense forest vegetation. In addition to this, hiking trails within the forest are not so slippery and muddy which makes hiking much easier.
Accommodation in Nyungwe Forest national park.
Visitors doing chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe can find accommodation in the following lodges; Gisakura Guesthouse, One & Only Nyungwe Forest Lodge and Nyungwe Top View Hotel among others. These accommodation facilities can accommodate both budget, mid-range and luxury travellers.
How to get to the park.
Nyungwe Forest national park can be accessed by road from Kigali city. The park is located approximately 225 kilometers from the city center. It is about a 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali to the Nyungwe national park.
Other activities in the park.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park can be combined with other activities that are offered in the park such as; the Canopy walk, hiking, guided nature walks, bird watching, Tour Gisakura Tea Estate, primate tracking and community cultural tours among others.
Visitors interesting in doing chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park can contact us and book your ultimate primate safari to Rwanda.
