What are the Chances of seeing Chimpanzees in Nyungwe?

Are you planning a trip to Rwanda to see the Chimpanzees but you want to know What are the Chances of seeing Chimpanzees in Nyungwe? Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is known for its diverse and rich ecosystem, including a variety of primates with chimpanzees as the dominant specie and other various wildlife species. One of the animals you might encounter there is the chimpanzee. Chimpanzees are native to the region and can be found within the forest. However, their sightings are not guaranteed, as they are wild animals and their behavior can be unpredictable.

The chances of seeing chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park are 99% but these can vary depending on several factors:

1. Time of Day: Chimpanzees are diurnal, which means they are most active during the day. Morning hours are usually the best time for tracking and observing them.
2. Guided Tours: The park offers guided chimpanzee tracking tours led by experienced guides who are familiar with the chimpanzee’s habits and movement patterns. These guides can significantly increase your chances of spotting chimpanzees.
3. Season: Chimpanzee sightings might be influenced by the season. In the dry season (typically June to September and December to February), chimpanzees might gather near water sources, making them more likely to be spotted. However, the forest is dense and sightings can still be challenging.
4. Luck and Patience: Since chimpanzees are wild animals, their movements can be unpredictable. Some visitors might get lucky and spot them relatively quickly, while others might need more time and patience to encounter them.
5. Conservation Measures: The park management often takes steps to ensure the well-being of the chimpanzees and limit disturbances. This can include limiting the number of visitors on each tracking session to minimize stress on the animals.

What are the Chances of seeing Chimpanzees in Nyungwe, it’s important to note that while chimpanzee sightings are a possibility, they are not guaranteed. However, even if you don’t manage to see chimpanzees, Nyungwe Forest National Park offers a unique and beautiful environment with a variety of other wildlife, plants, and landscapes to explore.

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 cost USD90 per person per trek which is way cheaper than gorilla permit that 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 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 To Nyungwe Forest National Park with 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 by trip advisor as well as Trust pilot. Please contact Eco Adventure Safaris next time you intend to visit any of the five East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, and Tanzania. We will tailor your visit to Nyungwe Park to best meet your expectations at an affordable price without hidden costs. Plan and book with us a Trip To Nyungwe Forest National Park.