Combining chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with a Serengeti safari

Combining chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with a Serengeti safari is for those interested in seeing the chimpanzees and the Big 5 animals. On this trip, you will visit Rwanda Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will do Chimpanzee Trekking after you will fly to Tanzania to do a safari in Serengeti National Park to see the Big 5 animals and the wildebeest great migration. Here’s a suggested itinerary for Combining chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with a Serengeti safari:

Day 1-2: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

• Arrive in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.
• Spend the day exploring the city, and visiting landmarks like the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center to learn about Rwanda’s history.
• Overnight stay in Kigali.

Day 3-4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

• Depart from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Spend two days trekking through Nyungwe Forest in search of chimpanzees and other primates.
• Enjoy the lush greenery and diverse wildlife of the forest.
• Overnight stays in accommodations near Nyungwe Forest.

Day 5-6: Travel to Serengeti National Park

• Depart from Nyungwe Forest and travel to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
• Cross the border and enjoy scenic views along the way.
• Arrive in Serengeti and embark on your first safari experience.
• Spend two days exploring the vast plains of Serengeti, witnessing the iconic wildlife including lions, elephants, giraffes, and more.
• Overnight stays in safari lodges or tented camps within Serengeti National Park.

Day 7-8: Serengeti Safari Continues

• Continue your safari adventures in Serengeti National Park.
• Explore different regions of the park to maximize wildlife sightings.
• Experience a hot air balloon safari for a unique perspective of the Serengeti landscape (optional).
• Overnight stays in accommodations within or near Serengeti National Park.

Day 9: Return to Kigali

• Depart from Serengeti National Park and travel back to Kigali, Rwanda.
• Take the opportunity to reflect on your safari experiences during the journey.
• Overnight stay in Kigali.

Day 10: Departure

• Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time in Kigali for last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
• Transfer to the airport for your departure, concluding your memorable adventure by combining chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with a Serengeti safari.

This itinerary allows you to experience the best of both worlds – the incredible primates of Rwanda’s forests and the legendary wildlife of Tanzania’s Serengeti plains. Make sure to book accommodations and permits well in advance, as these destinations are popular among travelers seeking unique wildlife encounters.

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 life time experience that you will enjoy in Africa’s oldest forest in Nyungwe National Park

What are the Chances of seeing Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest 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. The tourists 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, there are 64 trekking permits available per day in Nyungwe forest, the Chimpanzee trekking permit costs USD250 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.

Why book a Trip Combining chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with a Serengeti safari Through Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. We specialize in life changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and are registered by UTB. We have a good and long working relationship with Rwanda development Board making it easy to book your chimpanzee permits and services, and our service fee is affordable and reasonable. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly reviewed on trip advisor as well as Safari bookings. Please contact Eco Adventure Safaris to book for you a safari Combining chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with a Serengeti safari.