Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Nyungwe

Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Nyungwe

Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Nyungwe: Within the dense rainforests of Nyungwe National Park, there lives our closest relatives in the animal Kingdom (Chimpanzees). Are you the type that loves spending time with them and learning about their interesting human-like behavior? You can book your chimpanzee trekking safari with us here at Ibuth safaris.

Walking through the dense lowland rainforest of Nyungwe searching for the chimpanzees is an experience that every primate lover longs for.

This is because, in the end, you get a few meters close to these Great Apes and learn about their daily routines.

That is right from waking up, foraging, mating, grooming and nursing their young ones. You also learn about their favorite delicacies and many other aspects that make them intelligent and Humans close relatives.

There are currently two habituated chimpanzee communities in Nyungwe Forest National Park. One community lives in the Uwinka area (with over 60 individuals) while the other lives in the Cyamudongo fragmented forest (about 30 individuals) on the Eastern side of Nyungwe Forest National Park. In total, there are about 500 chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

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How Chimpanzee Tracking Tours are Conducted in Nyungwe

All chimpanzee trekking safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park begin with registration and briefing from the Visitor Center- Uwinka, Kitabi, or Gisakura. This briefing is provided by the Park Rangers.  These take visitors through the guidelines to be followed while tracking, observing, and photographing these Great Apes as they go about their daily routines. You have to be at the Visitor Center by 6:30 am and at 8:00 am start the search for chimpanzees.

The duration of tracking is usually unpredictable but should last anywhere between one and three hours.  Once sighted, you will have only one hour to observe and photograph them. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees are generally active and will be heard from a far even before sighting them. They love staying on trees compared to the gorillas that prefer staying on the ground (possibly because of their size). Chimpanzees share 98.7% DNA with humans and a lot of our characteristics will be sighted with them. 

Generally, Chimpanzee trekking experiences last around two to four hours. All that happens as Ranger guides give you detailed information on the different forest life you encounter. They furthermore explain about characteristics, behavior, and relation of chimps with their ecosystem. Think of it as a jungle Safari!

Cost of Chimpanzee trekking permit for Nyungwe

Chimpanzee trekking permits for Nyungwe Forest National Park cost $90 per person for foreign non-resident travelers. Foreign residents and East African community visitors pay $60. This cost only includes Park entry fees and the Ranger fees but not tips or hiring porters.

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Guidelines to be followed while tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park

You have to be at least 12 years and above to track the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Travelers with flu or cough are advised not to visit the chimpanzees. Since they share 98.7% of DNA with humans, they are vulnerable to a lot of these communicable diseases.

Avoid littering the forest with rubbish. Such rubbish not only degrades the environment but also acts as a breeding place for diseases.

A maximum of 8 visitors are allowed to trek the chimpanzee during each session.

Always maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters when watching and photographing chimpanzees. This serves as a way of reducing any possible spread of germs.

When to go for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Nyungwe

Chimpanzee trekking season coincides with the dry season in Rwanda, starting from June to September and again from December to February May. This is when precipitation levels are reduced hence making forest trails drier and less muddy or slippery.

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What to wear during Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe.

Chimpanzee tracking takes place in the dense rainforests of Nyungwe National Park and while it might seem obvious, make sure to wear something warm to cover your arms and legs to protect you from the stinging nettles in the forest. For your legs, you will need to wear comfortable, breathable, and lightweight trousers which cover your legs and sturdy hiking boots that can maneuver through the dense rainforest and rugged terrains.

Also wear a safari hat and sunglasses for sun protection and don’t forget insect repellant because of the forest of full of irritating biting insects. Don’t forget your camera with enough batteries and memory space, pair of binoculars, a rain jacket, drinking water and energy-giving snacks, a first aid kit, and gardening gloves.

Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe

For your accommodation during Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Nyungwe, there are a number of budget,midrange, and luxury options but the most popular ones ate One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel, Gisakura Guesthouse, and Inzozi Beach Hotel among others.

Besides chimpanzee trekking, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a fantastic safari destination for forest walks with over 15 trails that introduce visitors to the waterfalls, wetlands, mammals, reptiles, birds, butterflies, tree species, and amphibians. The Nyungwe canopy walk and bird-watching tours are simply magical.

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