Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park | Chimps in Rwanda

Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is another top activity to enjoy on Rwanda safari besides Gorilla trekking. There is no dought as the Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda safari experience is only enjoyed in Nyungwe Forest National Park which is situated only 6 hours from Kigali southwest of Rwanda.

Nyungwe National Park is mostly known for its primates as it has 13 primate species though the highest number are the Chimpanzees. Over 500 Chimpanzees have been recorded in Nyungwe National Park offering the best Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking.

Most of the Chimpanzees are found within Nyungwe Forest Africa’s oldest montane forest and others are within Cyamudongo Forest. It is easier to spot Chimps in Cyamudongo Forest during the Chimpanzee trekking experience.

Other Chimps in Rwanda can be found in Gishwati Mukura National Park though the Chimpanzee trekking activity is not available at the time. Chimpanzee tracking offers close encounters of Chimpanzees in their natural habitat which is a thrilling experience.

During your Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you have clear opportunities to see the Chimps in the tree canopy waking up, feeding, taking care of each other, and study the entire habituated Chimpanzee group and get to know who the alpha is.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park starts from three reception centers which are Uwinka reception center, Kitabi reception center, and Gisakura reception center as this is where you meet park rangers.

Chimpanzee tracking is different from Gorilla trekking as the Chimps are spotted swinging from one tree to another and making skills on the tree barks though the mountain Gorillas are seen quietly on the forest floor caring for each other.

A Chimpanzee trekking permit is a must-have if you are to enjoy the Chimpanzee trekking experience within Nyungwe National Park and keep in mind the minimum age is 15 years.

You can do double Chimpanzee tracking which is Nyungwe National Park and Kibale National Park for thrilling adventures.

How is Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda Done and Nyungwe National Park? 

Before we get to know how Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is done when to know if the Chimpanzee activity is safe. Yes, Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is safe as are the Chimps that you trek are fully habituated meaning that they recognize the presence of humans.

Chimpanzee habituation is the process where trained personnel make regular visits to wild Chimps to make sure that these apes recognize humans. This the Chimpanzees feel less threatened and cannot attack tourists.

How are the Rwanda Chimps Found and What are the Chances of finding them In Nyungwe? 

Nyungwe National Park has 3 communities of Chimpanzees all habituated for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Cyamudongo Forest located in the east of Nyungwe Forest has one habituated Chimpanzee community.

The second habituated Chimpanzee community is within Nyungwe Forest Africa’s oldest montane forest around the Uwinka reception center or park headquarter and it has around 60 Chimps.

The Gisovu group is the third and newest habituated Chimpanzee group also found in the main Nyungwe Forest. However, this newly habituated group is at its last operation as the Chimps can sometimes run away when they see humans.

You should know that Nyungwe Forest National Park asses the chances of seeing Chimps before going out for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda so that you don’t miss them.

From Where And at What Time Does the Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking In Nyungwe Park Start? 

Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking within Nyungwe Forest National Park sets off from the Gisakura reception center if you are trekking Uwinka and Cyamudongo groups in Cyamudongo Forest and from Gisovu near Kibuye if you are trekking the Gisovu group.

You are expected to reach the ranger station between 4:30 am to 5 am to meet with the park rangers for the Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda briefing and when it clocks 5 am, you are then transferred to the starting point of the Chimpanzee trek.

Keep in mind that Nyungwe Forest National Park has only one session of Chimpanzee tracking and that is only in the morning.

How Long Does It Take to Find the Chimps in Rwanda (Nyungwe Forest) and for How Long are Tourists Allowed to See the Chimps? 

The time you will take to find Chimpanzees is unpredictable as the Chimps nest is made in different places every day. This means that they have no permanent address.

The Chimps nest is made depending on where the day has ended. However, park trackers leave early before the tourist Chimpanzee trekking group to find the Chimps nest and tracks them as they leave the nests.

The trekking group of trackers communicates to guides and park rangers using walkie-talkies about the location so that they find the quick and easiest route.

Two to three hours is the average time to find Chimps in the Nyungwe Forest National Park during the Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking. Once you find the Chimpanzees in Nyungwe, you are given only one hour to be in their presence.

You will see that these apes have human instincts meaning that they have human behavior.

Keep in mind that Gorilla trekking is different from the Chimpanzee trekking experience as Chimps are more active than Mountain Gorillas. Chimpanzees tend to keep swinging in tree canopies on tree barks and you may need to move around to get clear sightings though the mountain Gorillas can be in one place for quite some time.

When going for the Chimpanzee trek, don’t forget to put on hiking shoes, carry an insect repellent, a rain jacket, drinking water, and put on a long sleeved shirt and trousers.

Cost of the Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking Permit, Tour Price & Age Limit 

The actual Chimpanzee tracking tour cost in Nyungwe Forest is got after adding the price of the Chimpanzee tracking permit and the park entrance fees though you can only trek Chimps if you are above 16 years old.

The Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking permit is inclusive of the guide and its cost is as follows following the different types of visitors.

• International Visitor: $150
• Foreign Residents in Rwanda/East Africa: $75
• Rwanda/East African Citizen: $25

Park entry fees

• International Visitor: $100
• Foreign Resident in Rwanda/East Africa: $60
• African Citizen (not East African): $60
• Rwanda/East African Citizen: $10

If it is an international visitor, he/she needs to pay $250 for Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Please note that only 8 people are permitted to track a Chimpanzee community in a session and there is only one session and since there are only 3 habituated Chimp groups, only 24 Chimp permits are available each day.

This means that there are limited permits and you need to book your Chimpanzee trekking permit in advance.

Tips for Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda – How to Prepare 

Before preparing for Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking, you need to ensure that your fitness levels are fine.

This makes the Chimpanzee trekking activity more enjoyable as there will not be any challenges as sometimes you have to run after the chimps since Chimpanzees tend to be swinging on tree barks.

Here are some of the items to pack for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda;

1. A camera
2. Binoculars
3. Good hiking shoes or sneakers
4. Light long pants and long sleeved shirt
5. Poncho or rain jacket
6. Sunscreen,
7. Garden Gloves
8. Insect repellent
9. Backpack
10. Walking sticks
11. Drinking water

Please note that it is advisable to carry water during Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda to keep you hydrated and you also pack a few snacks to eat in case you go hungry.

Where to Stay Before the Rwanda Chimp Trekking In Nyungwe Forest National Park? | Accommodation during Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking In Nyungwe Forest –H2

There are many lodges that you can use for your stay when you come for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. These lodges are classified as luxury, midrange, and budget facilities.

These are the lodges to use if you are meeting Uwinka and Cyamudongo Chimpanzee groups;

1. One & Only Nyungwe House – Luxury
2. Nyungwe Forest Lodge – Luxury
3. Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge – Midrange
4. Gisakura Guesthouse – budget
5. EAR Guesthouse – budget

The lodges to use when going to track the Gisovu group are;

1. Inzozi beach hotel – Midrange
2. Moriah Hill Resort – Midrange
3. Rwiza Village Guesthouse – budget
4. Home Saint Jean – budget

What Other Activities Can One Do In Nyungwe Apart from Chimpanzee Trekking? 

Nyungwe Forest National Park does not only offer the Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking experience but also other amazing activities and these include;

Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest 

The canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest is one of the things you shouldn’t miss when you visit Nyungwe Forest National Park. This activity is 2-3 hours and you can do it in the afternoon after the Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking experience.

The canopy walkway bridge is suspended over 160 meters above the forest which is a hair rising moment and you can get many sightings of many other primates like Black Faced Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboons, and many bird species good for bird watching trips.

Hiking One of the Several Trails in Nyungwe Forest 

Nyungwe Forest has a few well established paths that you can use for nature walks and others offer amazing hiking experiences. The most used trail is the waterfalls trail leading to Isumo Waterfalls which goes through the forest and gives you views of many wildlife species, especially primates.

Colobus Monkey Tracking in Nyungwe National Park 

This is another thrilling activity to enjoy within Nyungwe National Park on top of the Rwanda chimpanzee trekking experience. White Colobus monkeys live on the edges of the forest and it does require much tracking like Chimp tracking.

Visiting a Tea Estate at the Edge of the Forest 

The landscape just after the dense forest is covered by endless green of tea plantations. This is the best opportunity to experience tea growing and processing within the tea plantations on the edge of Nyungwe Forest.

This activity can be done in the afternoon after Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda.

Community and Cultural Experience 

You will want to learn more about the countryside and how people carry on their daily lives and get to know about their culture and traditions just after the Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. You can visit a school, a farm, and artisans and buy souvenirs from them.

FAQs

1. Can I see Chimpanzees in Rwanda? 

Tourists going for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda can find Chimpanzees within Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati Mukura National Park which is a half hour drive from Nyungwe. Most of the Chimps that you will see are fully habituated.

2. Is Chimpanzee Trekking Worth It?

Yes, Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is worth the money as you get to meet our closest cousins face-to-face in their natural habitat.

On your explore Rwanda tours in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you also get to see many other primate species during Chimpanzee tracking the Black Faced Vervet Monkeys, White Colobus Monkeys, Owl Faced Monkeys, and many bird species to see during bird watching.

The Chimpanzee trekking activity is ideally worth the money and time as being with the Chimps is a hair rising moment.

3. Where Is the Best Place for Chimpanzee Trekking? 

Kibale National Park in Uganda is the best place for Chimp trekking as this park has the highest number of Chimpanzees in Africa. Kibale Forest Park has the most successful sightings of Chimps with over 95% chances.

4. How long is Chimpanzee Trekking? 

Chimp tracking during Explore Rwanda tours is unpredictable as the chimps have no permanent residence. The Chimps nest is made depending on where the day has ended.

The average trekking time is 2-3 hours and you be with the apes for one thrilling hour and witness their human behavior with human instincts.

5. What Is the Age Limit for Chimpanzee Trekking? 

Based on the rules and regulations, the age limit for chimp tracking in both Kibale National Park and Nyungwe National Park is 16 years.

6. Is Chimpanzee Trekking Safe? 

Yes, the Chimpanzee trekking experience is safe due to different measures put in place. There are trekking rules and regulations put in place to follow for you to be safe.

The Chimps that you trek are fully habituated meaning that recognize human presence as they cannot attack you making the treks safe as they have human instincts and human behavior.

Also, you are escorted by armed park rangers to keep you safe throughout the entire Chimpanzee trek.

7. Where Can You See Chimpanzees In Rwanda? 

On your Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, you see the Chimps within Nyungwe National Park and in Gishwati Mukura National Park which is a half hour drive from Nyungwe. These are the only places where you can see Chimps with the most successful sightings.

8. Is Rwanda Good for Safari? 

Yes, Rwanda is good for safari. Explore Rwanda Tours will offer you the best Gorilla trekking experience to meet the endangered Mountain Gorillas within Volcanoes National Park.

Rwanda almost has all the primates that you can find within the denser forests like Mountain Gorillas, White Colobus Monkeys, Black Faced Vervet Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Golden Monkeys, and other primate species.

Wildlife safaris are endless within Akagera National Park, Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is enjoyed within Nyungwe National Park with the canopy walkway experience, and nature walks in Gishwati Mukura National Park offer amazing bird watching.

9. Which Country is Famous for Chimpanzees? 

Uganda is the most famous country for Chimpanzees as you can trek the apes within the denser forests of Kibale National Park and also enjoy the habituation experience. It has almost all the primates within the tropical rather than Mountain Gorillas and Bonobos.

Rwanda also has Chimps that you can find within Nyungwe Forest and Gishwati Mukura National Park though it is more famous for Mountain Gorillas that you can see during Gorilla tracking.

10. Are there Chimps in Rwanda? 

Yes, there are chimps in Rwanda. You can find them within Nyungwe Forest which is Africa’s oldest montane forest. You can trek a habituated Chimpanzee group at one of the three reception centers though the most popular are Uwinka reception center and the Gisakura reception center.

11. What Country Has the Most Chimpanzees? | Which Country Has the Highest Number of Chimpanzees? 

In East Africa, the highest number of Chimpanzees are in Uganda within the denser forests of Kibale National Park though Rwanda also has national parks offering Chimp trek experiences. There are a few well established paths that you can follow to see these apes.

12. What Is the Largest Chimpanzee Tribe in the World? 

The Ngogo Chimpanzee community in the denser forests at Kibale Forest Park in Uganda is the largest Chimpanzee tribe in the world with nearly 200 individuals.

13. How much is A Chimpanzee Permit in Rwanda?

A chimpanzee trekking permit for foreign residents is $150 though to enter the park you have to pay the park entrance fees. Foreign residents in Rwanda pay $75 and Rwanda/East African citizens pay $25.

14. Are there Bonobos in Rwanda? 

No, there are no Bonobos in Rwanda as they are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, when you follow the few well established paths within the different national parks, you get sightings of almost all the primates.

Nyungwe Forest National Park having Africa’s oldest montane forest is fond of Chimpanzees, White Colobus Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black Faced Vervet Monkeys, and other primates. There are also primate species within Gishwati Mukura National Park that you can see during nature walks.

Tourists can see Mountain Gorillas within Volcanoes Park during Gorilla tracking.

15. Where Can I do Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda? 

The Chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda is mostly enjoyed in Kibale National Park, Kalinzu Forest a nice spot for nature walks, and in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.

In summary, Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda offers the best opportunities to meet a habituated chimpanzee group within Nyungwe Forest National Park starting from the three reception centers.

Chimps are closely related to humans as we share almost 98.8 DNA similarity. They are amazing to watch in their natural habitat though don’t forget to carry hiking shoes, insect repellent, drinking water, rain jacket, and put on a long sleeved shirt when going out for Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking.

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