Chimpanzee Tracking is one of the most popular adventures that tourists enjoy in Rwanda. Chimpanzees are endangered species surviving in only 21 countries in Africa. These great apes can be seen in two national parks in Rwanda. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is one of the thrilling experiences wildlife experience, offering visitors a chance to observe our closest living relatives in their natural habitat.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Tropical Rain forest national park is Rwanda’s number one destination for the chimpanzee tracking adventure. This is so because it’s a home to a large mass of chimpanzees. Like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees too live in groups of families with 10 and more family individuals. They, like all other wild animals are always moving about looking for food and water, shelter or even jumping from branch to branch within the forest scrubs. Chimpanzee tracking is an interesting tourist activity as it also offers its visitors great chances of viewing many other wildlife and bird species that dwell within the forest.
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park costs USD 90 per trek. On a Rwanda safari involving chimpanzee tracking visitors can watch these great apes and for those tourists who are able to keep up with the pace of their movement, you can book a chimpanzee habituation experience. You can stay even all day long in their proximity on a habituation experience. Please note that chimpanzees are not fully habituated wildlife species and therefore shy at times and curious at the tourists.
Chimpanzee trekking is done very early in the morning as visitors assemble at the park headquarters for briefing by the ranger guides and then head out to the largest montane forest in search for chimpanzees in their natural habitats, enjoy the breath taking experience as you get to interact with the chimpanzees, learn more about their characters, take pictures and photographs with in an hour and leave the forest back to your lodge. Nyungwe National park is also well known for canopy walk where visitors trail up to the top of the forest and take a canopy walks to have scenic views of the whole park and the neighboring natural attractions.
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe National park costs 90 US dollars per person for foreign nonresidents, 60 US dollars for foreign residents and 5000 Rwf for Rwanda citizens which are obtained from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) that regulates the conservation of wildlife in Rwanda.
Chimpanzee trekking in Giswati Mukura National park
Giswati Mukura National park is the newest 4th National park located in western Rwanda known for chimpanzee trekking. Apart from Nyungwe National park, chimpanzee trekking is also done in Giswati Mukuru with high population of chimpanzees that have been habituated for trekking and other monkey species including black and white colubus, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, golden monkeys among others.
What you need for chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda.
For one to go for chimpanzee tracking experience in Nyungwe, he or she must possess a tracking permits at USD 150 per person per trek for foreign non-residents. It is advisable to book permits in advance through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or authorized tour operators.
Also, as you prepare for the chimpanzee tracking encounter, remember that the park has specific regulations and guidelines in place to ensure the safety of visitors and the preservation of the forest ecosystem. So, it’s important to always follow them plus the instructions of park rangers and guides. Among these include; giving chimpanzees a reasonable distance, taking pictures without flashes, not eating or drinking in front of the chimpanzees and others.
Best time to go for Rwanda chimpanzee tracking
Nyungwe chimpanzees can be visited all year round but the bet time is the dry season which is in the months of June to September and December to February. This is because the trails are less slippery and chimps are easier to locate as they stay closer to the ground.
What to pack for the Experience
Since chimpanzee tracking involves walking through the thick rain forests, you are advised to pack items that may hinder you from getting any damage on your body. Among these include the sunscreen, hiking boots, rain gears, long trousers, and sleeves to avoid scratches and insect bites. Other items to pack include water, snacks and then a flashless camera.