3 Day Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

The 3 day chimpanzees trekking safari in Rwanda happens in Nyungwe National Park one of the pristine forests in Africa. Nyungwe forest which covers about 1019 square kilometers is a thick forest with some of the growing natural trees in Rwanda. Nyungwe National Park is situated in south western Uganda near Cyangungu town close to lake Kivu and its headquarters are in Uwinka Book Now

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activities of Nyungwe National Park with so far 2 chimpanzee communities habituated in the park. The largest chimpanzee community of over 60 members is in Nyungwe forest while the smaller community lives in Cyamudondo. Over 13 primates species are residents of Nyungwe National Park too.

On a 3 day chimpanzees trekking tour in Rwanda, you need a chimpanzee permit for either the morning or afternoon session.

Summary of 3 day Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking safari

Day 1 Drive to Nyungwe National Park optional Canopy Walk

Day 2 chimpanzees trekking in Nyungwe National Park Rwanda

Day 3 Departure from Nyungwe National Park

Detailed 3 day Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Nyungwe National Park

Day 1 Drive to Nyungwe National Park optional Canopy Walk

Wake up for breakfast and drive to Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The distance from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park is about 220 kilometers, 55 kilometers from Rusizi / Cyangugu, about 100 kilometers from Butare.

The drive time from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park is about 5 to 6 hours but very scenic as you by pass several hills and drive on winding roads. Nyungwe National Park is a biosphere reserve with several primates over 13 species, more than 300 bird species including Albertine rift endemics.

You can take an optional hike on the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk where you view the forest canopy from an elevated point. The canopy walk is on a 90 meters long suspension bridge that is about 50 meters over the forest. When on this bridge, you get a better view of the surrounding features and you may spot some monkeys, birds, identify several tree species, mark special moments and many other adventure.

Check into your lodge for dinner and overnight

Nyungwe accommodations Nyungwe Safari lodge/ Nyungwe Guest House/ Gisaku Family House

Meal Plan Full Board Plan , Bed and Breakfast Plan.

Day 2 Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park

Get up for breakfast and Head to the briefing point at Gisaku reception center where you may meet other tourists. The rangers takes you through the guidelines of the chimpanzee trekking adventure in Nyungwe National Park. At this point, you may hire a porter to assist you with your chimpanzees trekking gears but they need to be packed well so as to make it easy to carry around.

There are several trails you may take to get to the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park including Usamo trail, Igishigishigi trail and others. A number of trees can be spotted along the way and some interesting features like the Usamo falls that sparkles. Looking for other primates like the olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, Dent Mona Monkeys, Hamlyn monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and others. a number of birds are also present for you to enjoy.

When you finally find the chimpanzees, only one hours is allowed with them which you need to maximize putting in mind the rules of chimpanzee trekking. Observe the chimpanzees as they go about there daily activities like grooming, feeding, playing, napping and much more. note that your presence may disrupt the normal life of these chimpanzees so be respectful in order not to fall out with these primates.

Return to your lodge later.

Day 3 Departure From Nyungwe National Park

After the chimpanzee trekking adventure in Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, drive back to Kigali airport to catch up with your departure fight.

How Much Is The Cost Of 3 Day Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

The cost of safari to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda varies with the safari package you choose that is luxury, mid-range and basic. The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda supersedes other costs as it is the ticket that allows someone to participate in this adventure. At the moment, the cost of Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit for Rwanda is currently $250 for foreign nonresidents, $75 for foreign residents and $25 for east Africans. in addition to the chimpanzees trekking permits cost, you need to secure accommodation, transport, the driver guide and these costs are dynamic depending on the season, condition and others.

Chat with our safari consultant about your budget, wish list and others as they are always ready to serve you and provide firsthand information according to the best of our knowledge.

When Can is the best Time To Plan 3 Day Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Rwanda

Any time is chimpanzees trekking time in Rwanda however, the dry season is most preferred when the environment in the wilderness has less precipitation. The trails in the forest are easier to navigate and most of the primates can be seen moving through the forest.

The dry season in Rwanda is normally June to September, December to January. The chimpanzees and other primates also love spending time closer to the ground during the dry season. Chance of spotting other wild animals in Nyungwe forest are more open in the dry season.

The dry season in Nyungwe National Park is peak tourism season so expect to share your space with many other tourists and may be disappointed too when the chimpanzees are sold out.

Donot shy away from visiting Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee trekking in the wet season that is normally March to May and November. The vegetation in the forest is thicker and moist most of the time but stunning too. The chimpanzees spend most of the time up in the trees but very interesting to watch too because they normally donot just hope around.

During the wet season there are fewer people booked to do this chimpanzee trekking adventure in Rwanda so chances of taking this trek without strangers are more common.

Is Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda easy or difficult

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is quite challenging because of the nature of the terrain of Nyungwe forest. The serious volcanic action in this area led to the formation of several highlands that may be quite challenging to trek and find the chimpanzees. Sometimes the vines obstruct the way so the ranger with a machete has to trim them in order to locate the chimpanzees

During the very cold rainy day, in Nyungwe National Park, most primate may spend most of the time up in the tall trees. You may need to use binoculars to get a closer look of these primates.

How Long Does Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda Take

The time taken on a chimpanzee trekking adventure varies with the factors prevailing in the forest that is food location for the chimpanzees, weather conditions for the day, pace of fellow tourists and others.

In order not to get consumed with the time you take to find the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest, open your mind to spotting other interesting forest dwellers as the forest is Richly endowed with Flora and Fauna.

When finally you locate the chimpanzees, keep the guidelines of this adventure so as to spend sometime with these primates. Only one hour is permits with the chimpanzees so as to minimize on the effects spending a lot of time with these highly sensitive primates.

How Dangerous Are The Chimpanzees In Nyungwe National Park Rwanda

The chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park are not dangerous and in nature chimpanzees are not dangerous primates. Before humans are allowed to visit the chimpanzees, they are first habituated atleast until proven ready for public visits. This helps the chimpanzees to able bear human presence atleast for an hour.

Even though the chimpanzees are habituated, there nature is not altered so when you happen to do chimpanzee trekking try not to agitate these primates. These primates are highly sensitive to intruders in there presence and very keen. When chimpanzee charge, the hoot, pull vines around them, throw fruits around and much more.

It is not all the time that the odd behavior that these primates present has been provoked by any of the tourists but wait for the ranger guide to establish the genesis of the matter before rushing. Some times the chimpanzees are playing provoking tactics, engaging each other, trying to

Get away slowly from the chimpanzees during this adventure so as not to cause any suspension

Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda Easy Or Difficult

The nature of the topography of Ntyngwe National Park in Rwanda is a ragged terrain due to serious volcanic action in this area. The Forest grows on the slopes and uphill so you need some level of fitness to get to the chimpanzees. Sometimes even the vegetation along the trails over grows to cover the paths making it difficult to walk through to find the chimpanzees. The ranger guide with a machete may use it to trim the path for you to go through.

There is a network of trails in Nyungwe forest that you follow with the ranger guide and some of them include Igishigishigi trail, Usamo trail and many others.

During the severe rainy seasons, the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest tend to spend most of there time up in the trees. You need to carry some rain proof gears, wear trekking boots and if you need extra support request for a supporting stick.

No matter what you may go through during the chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, the joy of meeting these primates in the wilderness and being just meters away from the closest human cousins in animal kingdom.

What is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

The Rwanda chimpanzee trekking age limit is 12 years and over but this was set to enable more children to visit these primates and earn to appreciate the importance of the ecosystems. The way to find the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park has some challenges which a child below 12 years may not be in positions to with stand.

Sometimes the chimpanzees may try to tease there visitors which may rub wrongly with the children under age 12 causing them to react in a manner that may cause some suspension.

Children also get tired very fast and my not be in position to keep going or may delay the rest of the tourists during the chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park.

How To Behave During Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Before meeting the chimpanzees, sanitise and wear a mask as a protective measure adopted to prevent spreading communicable infection to these primates.

In case you have a communicable disease, volunteer to stay behind so as to prevent chances of passing it to the highly susceptible chimpanzees yet its impact may damage the so far done chimpanzee conservation work .

You must be in company of a chimpanzees guide to do chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda because despite the fact that the chimpanzees are habituated, there are other forest inhabitants.

Provoking the chimpanzees is forbidden as this may insight them to rage

Dumping garbage on the way to locate the chimpanzees is not allowed as this alters the nature of the forest where chimpanzees survive.

Feeding the chimpanzees or any other primates in Nyungwe forest is not acceptable as these are wild animals that must search for there own food.

In case you wish to do a long call in Nyungwe forest, as the ranger guide to dig a hole atleast 30 centimeters deep and cover beyond recognition. The chimpanzees are very curios primates so donot leave any traces that may entice there curiosity.

When you meet the chimpanzees, donot stare into there eyes ad this may intimidate them and force them into hiding.

No Flash photography is allowed during chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda as these primates are highly sensitive to unfamiliar occurrences in there presence.

Only one hour of chimpanzee trekking is allowed to give chance to these primates to later go about there daily activities like feeding, grooming, playing and other. Human presence disrupts the daily activities of the chimpanzees.