How To Plan Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Trekking And Canopy Walk Rwanda

When planning to do Rwanda gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk do not forget to  reserve the necessary permits for gorilla and chimpanzees safari. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking happen in Volcanoes National parkAbout Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park.

Each of these Rwanda safaris requires advance booking because there are limited slots open to the public each day of each. During the high seasons, the demand for Rwanda permits increases and finding last minute permits is quite challenging. The number of Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee permits is regulated to reduce on the effects of mass tourism to these highly suspicious primates.

The canopy walk over Nyungwe forest offers some of the breathtaking natural views. The canopy walk is on a 160 meters long suspension bridge which is about 70 meters high. If you are afraid of heights, trying out this adventure may prove you wrong. Watch the beautiful varied canopy layers of Nyungwe forest as they descend in sequences while standing at the canopy. It is a unique spot to mark some incredible life changing moments like engagements, celebrations and more.

Requirements For The Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Itinerary

Book gorilla and chimpanzee permits

The gorilla or chimpanzee permits are the tickets that allow you entry into the park to engage in either of these Rwanda safari activities. The Rwanda Development Board regulates and sells both gorilla and chimpanzee permits with the aim of protecting these primates from effects of mass tourism.

Rwanda has limited gorilla and chimpanzee permit availability so advance booking is advised. During the high season, the demand for these permits is over the top and options may run out for last minute bookings.

Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are frightened by crowds in there vicinity that is why when with them tourists are advised not to make sudden movements or avoid surrounding them. The gorillas and chimpanzees are very sensitive with intruders in their environment.

It is best book the gorilla or chimpanzee permit atleast 6 months to more before the date of your choice to avoid last minute fracas.

Reserve Other Rwanda safari logistics

Accommodation and transport are great items when planning an African safari in the wilderness. Rwanda accommodations to use are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. Accommodation to use during Rwanda safaris plays a major role in grading the type of tour package you choose.

Hiring a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition is recommended as you plan the gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk because the roads get messy at times.

Having a professional and knowledgeable driver guide gives you chance to learn more about Rwanda and beyond.  He or she may provide information beyond your expectations enriching your knowledge about the country.  

Charter flight services are available in Rwanda for a more private Rwanda safari experience but advance booking is necessary.

Reserve Rwanda Visa

In case having a visa to Rwanda is one of the requirement you must have as travel documents to present, do apply for it in advance. A Rwanda visa can be acquired on arrival at immigration but the process may take long so it is best to apply and ensure you get verification for a Rwanda tourist visa before days of travelling.

General body check-up prior to Rwanda safari

Rwanda Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking necessitate being in good health condition. Having a communicable infection like flu, covid-19, cough or more may end you in getting disqualified from attending.

Even gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking includes walking in the steep area because of the highlands that form almost the entire topography of Rwanda in general. One needs to be in good health condition and volunteer to stay behind in case you catch such infections that may end in massive death of the mountain gorillas.

Pack The right Rwanda Safari gears

For both gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking, ensure to carry the right gears for your safety and protecting. On your Rwanda safari packing list, do not forget safari boots, garden gloves, insect repellant, camera, long sleeved shirt, energy bites, water proof back pack and more.

Some hard cash

Even though most of the Rwanda safari items are included in the cost of the Rwanda gorilla, chimpanzee and canopy walk, do not forget to carry some hard cash. Where credit cards are easier to use in Europe, America, middle east in Africa, it is slow because of limited access to credit card reading machines.

To make on ground purchases in Rwanda, hard cash is preferred and for foreign currency, there are forex bureaus and banks.

What Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Trekking And Canopy Walk In Rwanda 

The cost of gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Rwanda is categorized into basic, mid-range and luxury. The category of gorilla safari you travel is determined by items like accommodation type, transport to use on Rwanda safari and more.

Beyond the logistics of Rwanda safari, the cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee permits are key.  Currently the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 per person and $150 per person. Only one hour with the fully habituated mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is available to minimize on the effects of over staying around these primates.

The cost additional logistics that support Rwanda safaris varies with inclusions in the tour package a preferences. Do not forget to pay park entrance fees where necessary like for chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk. Consider the cost of accommodation, transport, meals, personal expenses and more.

In general, the cost of gorilla, chimpanzee and canopy walks in Rwanda are determined by the category of package you chose that is luxury, mid-range or basic.

Is Gorilla, Chimpanzee Or Canopy Walk In Rwanda Tiresome

Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is quite challenging because of the thick vegetation in the forest, steep highlands around the forests, dense network of Rivers and streams and more.

As you plan to do this Rwanda safari, do engage in some exercises to keep fit and carry the right gears to get you through this African adventure.

If you have physical difficulties, you can still do gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda because there is sedan chair or stretcher services on ground but advance booking is required. Do carry some energy bites to key munching on when hungry as breakfast is taken too early to last the time you take.

Along the way, there are creepers draping down the ridges, plateaus and tree trunks but use the trails demarcated by regular visitors in the park. A ranger guide carrying a machete uses it to trim vegetation where necessary to create a way though.

Upon meeting the mountain gorillas, it is easier to forget the challenges encountered along the ways because you find totally something different because of the adorable appearance of these primates. Do carry some pain relief treatment within your first aid box in case you feel muscle pull.

While at the canopy walk bridge, it is quite relaxing but in case you are afraid of heights, you need to try and calm your nerves to push through.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Gorilla And Chimpanzee In Rwanda

Seeing the gorillas and chimpanzee in Rwanda is guaranteed because even though these primates are free to explore the jungle, there movements are influenced by factors prevailing in the jungle.

Before opening the gorilla family or chimpanzee troop to the public, they are first habituated until proved ready for public viewing. During gorilla habituation or chimpanzee habituation, researchers often visit the gorilla family or chimpanzee community to help them get accustomed to human presence without altering their characteristics. This process helps the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees to with stand human interruption atleast for an hour.

Chimpanzees and gorillas normally leave clues behind as they migrate to new locations which may act as leads including freshly leftover foliage, foot prints, dung, communicate loudly and more. Some of these clues are used to find the direction taken by the gorilla family or chimpanzee troop.

Every early morning, a team of ranger guides move in the forest to find where the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees might have nested the previous day. Some of the information they provide is used to trace both gorillas and chimpanzees. Not all the time that these clues may be the definite direction because gorillas may change their mind and follow another direction.

No matter the circumstances you face in the forest, meeting the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in the wilderness is exceptional as you get chance to enjoy the human mirror in the jungle.

Why Do Exercise Before Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

Keeping your body fit for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour is very important because of the nature of the topography of this Rwanda. In Volcanoes National Park, there are five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that is mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Sabyinyo. Volcanoes National park topography is made up of several highlands where the gorillas may spend part of their time and so you need to follow them by hiking.

Having some level of fitness enables you to hike and get through the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventure in Rwanda.

Time to take in search of chimpanzees or mountain gorillas varies and getting to them may take sometime which requires moving in the jungle for some but you need to maintain some level of fitness.

Staying fit on a personal level is very important to maintain a heathy body.

No need to do extreme body exercises but start with simple strides beyond normal and involve assistance from a professional fitness instructor.

What To See While At The Canopy Walk Over Nyungwe Forest Rwanda

When at the canopy over Nyungwe forest, you get to enjoy varied beautiful canopy of the forest with an evergreen shade that seems to be endless. From Nyungwe forest, birds emerge to wonder to far ranging areas, colorful butterflies spread their wings away, stunning features and more.

Even some monkeys may be potted hoping from tree to tree because the forest hosts several of them including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and more.

While the suspension bridge, you get take photos and enjoy beauties around Nyungwe forest that may be hard to see when close to the ground.

What are the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Volunteer to stay behind in case you catch a communicable infection like flue, cough, covid-19 and others as both gorillas and chimpanzees are susceptible to human infections.

Keep a distance of atleast 7 meters from the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees when you locate them.

Do not spit on the ground or vegetation as this can pass an infection to the gorillas or chimpanzees that feed on foliage.   

When eating do it away from the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees or if you wish to eat, do it in atleast 200 meters from

Never enter the forest to do gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking without an escorting ranger guide.

Staring in the eyes of the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is forbidden because they are shy primates.

12 years and over is the age limit for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Using flash photography is unacceptable because these mountain gorillas or chimpanzees are scared of unfamiliar occurrences in their presence.

Scaring or attempting the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is forbidden because this threatens these primates.

Never surround the gorillas or chimpanzees but stay in a tight group in order not to get mixed feelings about the human presence.

Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

Avoid staring I the deep brown eyes of the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees because they are shy primates that can easily retreat into hiding.

In case you have to cough, do it away from the gorillas or chimpanzees or in a handkerchief or elbow.

Chimpanzees and gorillas must depend on the forest and not from supplies from humans because they are wild animals so do not feed them.