5 Day Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

5 day Gorilla and chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda

The 5 day gorilla trekking and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda gives you chances to be a few meters from the largest primates in Africa. Rwanda gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.

Fore each of these Rwanda primate safaris, you must have a permit. The gorilla trekking permit and chimpanzee trekking permit from Rwanda Development Board is must purchase. Due to the fact that both permits are scarce, yet demand for gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda high it is best to book these permit in advance.

Booking accommodations to stay at during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking Rwanda visit is very important because of the high demand for these facilities especially during the peak season. Both gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda start in the morning which requires an early rise to report to the ranger station for briefing and document verification

Summary of the five day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda.

Day 1 Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes national Park

Day 3 drive to Nyungwe National Park

Day 4 Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National park

Day 5 optional Kigali city tour and Departure. Enquire Now

Detailed 5 Day Rwanda Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour

Day 1: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Wake up for breakfast and our safari guide picks you from your overnight hotel to start the drive to Volcanoes National Park. The drive time from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours but very scenic.

By pass the evergreen slopes of the rolling highlands in the countryside the that bring out the meaning of land of a thousand hills which is the other name for Rwanda. Enjoy the cool breeze from volcanoes forest as you draw closer to the park.

Volcanoes National park is home to so far 12 gorilla families some including Amahoro, Umubano, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Susa and others. Other primates are also residents of Volcanoes forest in Rwanda including olive baboons, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and others

Check into your lodge to relax.

 Volcanoes accommodations: Sabyinyo silverback Lodge/ Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Kinigi Guest House

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Carrying your gorilla trekking gears inclusive of two clean masks one to change into when you find the mountain gorillas, head to the ranger station for briefing. You can hire a porter at this point in case you need assistance with your backpack.

A porter is a local person who can be hired to help with carrying some of your gorilla trekking gears. Some of the porters were former poachers but now have reformed to helping tourists.

After allocating gorilla families, follow the ranger guide normally using the trails leading where the mountain gorillas were last seen the previous day. In order not to get bored, look out for other forest dwellers like the blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and others.

Keen birders have a double opportunity of spotting several birds (over 200 birds are residents here) that inhabit Volcanoes forest including Albertine rift endemics. Some of them include Archer’s Robbin chat, Dusky’s and Shelley’s Crimsonwings, Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush to mention but a few.

Upon finding the mountain gorillas, wait to take photos until approved by the ranger guide after establishing the mood of the gorilla family. Watch the gorillas go about there day activities like grooming, feeding, combing hair, playing and much more. Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas but as you get away do it stealthily.

Day 3 Drive to Nyungwe National Park

After gorilla trekking, head to Nyungwe National park the Rwanda chimpanzee home. This pristine forest is believed to be one of the survivors of the ice age periods that swept Africa.it is home to a number of other primates too that is black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and others

Nyungwe forest is a Rwanda birding haven hosting more than 300 bird species including Albertine rift endemics.

The distance from Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe National Park is about 219 kilometers for time of about 5 to 6 hours.

Check into your lodge

Day 4 Chimpanzee Trekking In Nyungwe National Park

Take early breakfast and carry your chimpanzee trekking gears to the Ranger station. The headquarters of Nyungwe National Park are in Uwinka Visitor center. After briefing, the ranger guide leads the way following the different trails constructed by regular visitors to Nyugwe forest like igishigishigi trail, Usamo trail and others.

On the way, you may spot interesting features like the Usamo waterfalls, various rivers and much more. Several primates grace Nyungwe forest like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons and others.

You get to hear the chimpanzees before spotting them as they love murmuring and making various sounds as though to alert others of your presence. Chimpanzees live in a community of over 100 member but split into smaller troops to feed.

Keep the chimpanzee trekking rules and watch them go about there activities. In order not to look suspicious, do not make loud noise as this may look suspicious before these chimpanzees. Sometimes the chimpanzees may reach out for your belongings out of curiosity however do keep your belonging safely.

Return to your lodge carrying memories of your adventure with the chimpanzees the closest human relatives amongst the animals.

Day 5 Departure day optional Kigali city tour

Having done gorilla trekking in Rwanda and chimpanzee tour, depart for Kigali airport or do an optional Kigali city tour.

Inclusions in 5 day gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking

Chimpanzee trekking

Transfers during the Rwanda safari

Accommodation during gorilla and chimpanzee safari

Vehicle hire during gorilla and chimpanzee tour

Exclusions in 5 day gorilla and chimpanzee safari

Pre-tour and post accommodation

Airport pick up and transfer pre or post Rwanda safari

Any additional Rwanda safari activity

Other personal expenses.

When is the best Time To Plan Rwanda Gorilla and chimpanzee Trekking Safari?

Any time is gorilla and chimpanzee trekking time however the dry season is most preferred. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December and January. This season is the peak Rwanda Tourism season too attracting a number of people.

Demand for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits is high creating scarcity for last minute bookers. The mountain gorillas feed closer to the ground and other primates are easier to spot while on this Rwanda primate search.

Trails of both Nyungwe and Volcanoes forest are quicker to navigate during the dry season. The ground is drier since more sunlight is let in through the dense canopy to the ground.

This being the peak tourism season of Rwanda, it is best to secure the gorilla or chimpanzee permits in advance as these are the only confirmations to this safari.

During the wet season which is March to May and November, the trails are wet and soggy from the regular rains that fall yet less sunlight is let in to the ground. Expect rains to fall any time and it may drizzle all day but be sure to see the mountain gorillas.

Since less people book to do gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trek in Rwanda during this season, chances of going alone on the gorilla or chimpanzee trek are high with less people distracting you.

How much is the cost of Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour in Rwanda

The cost of 5 day gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda varies with the safari package you choose. The gorilla and chimpanzee safaris are packaged according to luxury, mid-range and budget.

the cost of the gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking permit is the universal cost. At the moment the cost of the Rwanda gorilla permits is :

$1500 for international nonresidents

$500 for foreign residents

$200 for East Africans

This cost covers the park entrance fees, one hour with the chimpanzees, ranger guide fees and others

The current cost of Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit is $ 150 foreign nonresidents, $75 for foreign residents and $25 for East Africans

The chimpanzee permit cost covers ranger guide fees, one hour with the chimpanzees and others

Some other items considered during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking include number of days on this Rwanda safari, number of people travelling with, additional activities to combine with and any other expenses

Is The Cost Of The Rwanda Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Permit Worth The Expense?

Absolutely yes, as this is the only opportunity to be just a few meters from the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world. Mountain gorillas can never live in any other area other than the Virunga. Chimpanzees trekking are humans’ closest relatives with about 98% human DNA.

While on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda, you contribute to the conservation of these endangered primates. The existence of the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees highly depends on the conservation groups as these defend there habitats too but they need financial support.

When you hire a porter during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari, this is one of the direct ways to give back to the local community. The local community still requires sensitization so by hiring  porters, you contribute to community sensitization about the Importance of conserving these primates.

How difficult is gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking is in a rugged resulting from the volcanic activities in this area. At times the mountain gorillas spend there day on the slopes or deep in the valley so you need to get to them by hiking which is quite challenging.

During chimpanzee trekking, you walk through the thick jungle which has culminates over millions of years. The amazing look for the forest canopy makes the experience exceptional.

Although the mountain gorilla and chimpanzees freely wander in the wildernesses be sure to see them because they normally feed from a particular location for sometime until food becomes insufficient.

Having some level of fitness and carrying some energy bites during gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tour keeps you going until finding these primates.

For the slippery and boggy slopes, wearing the right gorilla and chimpanzee trekking gears protects you from getting stuck.

Can I Do Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda With Kids?

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and 12 years over for chimpanzee trekking. This is because of the nature of these activities that require walking to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees. Children below these ages may not be in position to sustain the presence of these primates.

The way is quite challenging to get to the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees because of the regular rains that fall and matter that decomposes yet less sunlight is let in to the ground.

Time taken to locate the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is hard to determine as this depend on factors prevailing in the wilderness. Children below these ages may not be in position to sustain until the time of locating the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

Is Rwanda safe for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?

Rwanda is safe for gorilla and chimpanzee safaris because tourism is one of the country’s backbones since the country has few minerals to export. In ground are well trained ranger guides with firsthand information about the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. They highly protect the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

Tourists must attend briefing before gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking so that they can go through some of the guidelines of this primate adventure and cautions they must take note of.

Never enter the forest without an escorting ranger guide whether on gorilla trekking chimpanzee tracking safari in Rwanda. The forest has other occupants not habituated to be in the presence of humans.

Tourists must pay attention to personal security by not wandering around as chances of facing unhabituated mountain gorilla or chimpanzee groups are high. These primates are not habituated to human presence and may be harmful.

In case you have some valuables donot let them in the open as you may attract wrong company while on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda.

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