Chimpanzee trekking in Nungwe Forest with Rwanda park rangers

Chimpanzee trekking in Nungwe Forest with Rwanda park rangers is a captivating experience. It offers a chance to explore one of Rwanda’s most biodiverse rainforests while observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Guided by Rwanda park rangers, the trek provides expert insights into the behavior and ecology of these primates.

Highlights of Chimpanzee trekking in Nungwe Forest with Rwanda park rangers:

Chimpanzee Interaction: Watch the chimpanzees in their natural environment as they feed, play, and communicate with one another.

Scenic Trails: Nyungwe is home to lush rainforests, waterfalls, and the famous Canopy Walk, offering additional exploration opportunities.

Biodiversity: Beyond chimpanzees, the forest is home to other primates such as black-and-white colobus monkeys and a variety of birds.

Key Details:

Start Time: Treks typically begin early in the morning (5:30 AM) when chimps are most active.

Fitness Level: Moderate fitness is required, as the trails can be steep and uneven.

Permits: A chimpanzee trekking permit is required, costing approximately $90 per person (subject to change).

Group Size: Small groups are assigned to minimize disturbance to the animals.

Best Time for Chimpanzee Trekking:

The dry season (June to September and December to February) offers the best trekking conditions as the trails are less muddy. However, chimpanzees are present year-round.

About Nyungwe Forest National Park

The Nyungwe Forest is located in southwestern Rwanda, on the border with Burundi, where it is contiguous with the Kibira National Park to the south, and Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The Nyungwe rainforest is probably the best-preserved montane rainforest in Central Africa. Nyungwe National Park has a biodiversity of more than 1050 plant species, 250 endemic Albertine rifts and 200 orchids, at least 120 butterfly species, 85 mammal species, 38 reptiles, and many more. Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in 2004 and covers an area of approximately 970 km2 of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs. In October 2020, the Rwanda Development Board signed an agreement with African Parks to assume management of Nyungwe National Park for an initial 20 years, all tourism activities are now under the management of the Rwanda Development Board.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee trekking refers to visiting the chimps in their natural environment in the forest, chimps that are already used to people or habituated. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is done in Nyungwe Forest National Park and starts in the morning and the activity is conducted in groups of a maximum of eight (8) people just as it is with gorilla trekking. The Nyungwe Forest National Park receives a very large number of tourists annually who come to meet face to face and spend time with the chimpanzees – man’s closest living relative observing them as they play, feed, and move. The park is also a good destination where you can add a chimpanzee trekking expedition to your gorilla trek within Volcanoes National Park without driving long distances. Chimpanzee trekking is a lifetime experience that you will enjoy in Africa’s oldest forest in Nyungwe National Park

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest starts off from three reception centers, that’s Uwinka, Kitabi and Gisakura where the tourists meet the park rangers and the tourists are also expected to be at the reception early morning, you drive to the starting point of the trek into the forest. Since the chimps nest each and every night, there are the trackers who go ahead of the trekking group of finding them and communicate with the ranger guides.

Is Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park worth the money, yes this is worth the money because you are are allowed to spend only 1 hour with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest National Park, and get to observe them so closely going about their own lives and see the human-like features and behavior that makes them our closest relatives with 98.7 % DNA? The chimps also communicate by way of deafening screams, the loud hoots and booming hitting of the tree barks and the buttress. You will have a good time with the most amazing primates in Rwanda.

Chimpanzee permit price is also an associated cost while visiting Nyungwe, the Chimpanzee trekking permit cost USD150 per person per trek which is way cheaper than the gorilla permit which costs USD1500. The chimpanzee permit fee includes park entrance, ranger and guide assigned to move with you and your group.  The permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board which is in charge of all tourism activities in Rwanda. You will be required to show your chimpanzee tracking permit at the park headquarters just before proceeding to the beginning point on the date of trekking. Bookings are made directly through the Rwanda Development Board and you can only book in advance, chimp permits get sold out so quickly and you can always contact us to check availability for your desired dates and book your permits for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda.

What is the cost of accommodation in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

The Nyungwe Forest National Park is surrounded by different accommodation facilities offering services at different costs which imply that there will certainly be a place to stay for every visitor to Nyungwe irrespective of one’s budget. Some of the recommended accommodations include the luxury One & Only Nyungwe House which is a luxury facility and ranges from USD750-2000 per person per night, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel which ranges from USD300 per person per night and the Nyungwe Forest Lodge and Gisakura guest house which ranges from USD200 per person per night. We do recommend at least 2 nights stay in Nyungwe or more for a great experience.

What is the cost of Transportation for Chimpanzee trekking safari?

By Air, you can fly into Kamembe International Airstrip from Kigali by Rwanda Air and tickets range from USD300 per adult. The airline offer domestic flights and one of its domestic routes is Kigali-Kamembe. RwandAir offers a minimum of 9 flights a week from Kigali to Kamembe International airport. The Airport is close to Nyungwe forest and some of the Hotels/Camps.  You can as well access Nyungwe forest by road transport, It is approximately 5-6 hours’ drive to Nyungwe from Kigali city, our safaris start at 8:00am, you will have stops on the way for scenic views and photography as there is a lot to see on the way.  Transportation is inclusive of vehicle hire per day, guides allowance per day and fuel for the whole round trip, Vehicle hire ranges from USD80-250 per day depending on the choice of vehicle you use, then driver guide allowance ranges from USD50 per day and fuel for the round trip ranges from USD250, all this depends on the number of days you choose for your visit to Nyungwe forest National Park

Why book Chimpanzee trekking in Nungwe Forest with Rwanda park rangers Through Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris is a Local tour operator based in Uganda but also offering trips to Rwanda ionclusing Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. We specialize in life changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We will tailor your visit to Nyungwe Park to best meet your expectations at affordable price without hidden costs. Contact us for more information about Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.