Visit Rwanda For Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour

The visit to Rwanda to go gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour is one of the top-notch adventures in this country. Rwanda is one of the few destinations in the world that host the mountain gorillas together with only Uganda and D.R.Congo.

The Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda happen Volcanoes National Park while chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda happens in Nyungwe National Park and Cyamudondo. Chimpanzees are the closest human copy amongst the wild animals. For one to have access to the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in Rwanda, you need a permit for either activities.

In Rwanda, the Rwanda development board has the mandate to regulate the sell of gorilla and chimpanzees permits. It is best to book the Gorilla and chimpanzees permits in advance to void inconvenience at the last moment

Reserve accommodations to use during the time of gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda because this they also sell out in advance.

Tending Gorilla Safaris

10 day gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and game safari

9 day gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife tour

8 day gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and game safari

7 day gorilla, chimpanzee, wildlife Uganda safari

6 day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour

5 day Uganda gorilla trekking and game safari

3 day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

3 day gorilla trekking in Rwanda

How To Book Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Permits.

Have dates when you hope to go gorilla and chimpanzee trekking as each permit is sold per day per person. The dates may be confirmed or tentative in case you may change plans later. Choose the number of people you hope to visit Rwanda with for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.

Enquire about the possibility of doing this Rwanda primate safari and choose the days for which you hope to attend this safari. Choose the possible Rwanda tour packages too.

Upon receiving the inquiry about this Rwanda safari, our safari consultant checks availability of both gorilla and chimpanzee permits as per you preferred dates of travel. Our tours consultant gets back to you as soon as he or she finds gorilla and chimpanzee permit availability

We advise clients to purchase the gorilla and chimpanzee permits for Rwanda as soon as possible because there status changes anytime without warning. No gorilla or chimpanzee permit for Rwanda is reserved without payment.

Avail some personal details to be included on the gorilla and chimpanzee permit reservation that is the full names as presented on the passport, Nationality, date of birth and others.

One the days of gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, you present the permits to the authorities concerned for verification and then head to the briefing point with other trekkers. Donot forget to carry your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking gear for support while on the search for these primates in the jungle. There are some rough conditions you may face in the wilderness which require applying insect repellant.

What Is The Plan For A Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Day 1 Drive To Nyungwe National Park

In Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is situated in the Southwestern part of the country close to the D.R.Congo border with Rwanda. The distance from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park is about 225 kilometers and this depend on the direction you take from Murama. Travel time from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park is about 4 to 5 hours. An alternative of flying to Nyungwe National Park from Kigali is available too.

Enjoy the stunning features you pass by on the way to Nyungwe National Park.

Arrive ready for dinner and overnight at your accommodation.

Nyungwe National Park Accommodations Nyungwe Forest lodge, Gisaku family Hostel, Gisaku guest House

Meal plan Full Board

Day 2 Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast head to the ranger station at Uwinka Station for briefing. Hire a porter to help you with your belongings in case you need too. After briefing, follow the ranger guide allocated to you for using the trails constructed by regular visitors to the park. Some of the demarcated trails of Nyungwe National Park include Igishigishigi trail, Usamo trail and others.

Along the way, you may encounter a number of other primates including Dent Mona Monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus and others. A plethora of birds is a resident of Nyungwe National Park too. Enjoy the stunning features that you pass-by like the sparkling Usamo waterfalls, rolling green slopes and others.

You hear the chimpanzees before they come into view and finally when you meet them, remember to follow the rules of chimpanzee trekking. The chimpanzees may pretend to mind there business however donot be fooled by there behavior because they operate a spy system that watches from under cover.

Only one hour with the chimpanzees is allowed during this adventure so utilize it to the maximum without forgetting to capture photos for future reference. Get back to your lodge to relax. Donot forget anything in the forest as this may alter the nature of the forest where the chimpanzees thrive. Carry only the memories of your experience with the chimpanzees and pick nothing.

Day 3 Drive to Volcanoes National Park

The distance from Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park is about 270 kilometers and drive time is about 5 to 6 hours. Drive through the meandering roads at the bottom of the rolling hills that make up the topography of Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park is an ancient forest situated in north Western part of Rwanda. It is one of the remnants of the Ice age period and hosts part of the population the mountain gorillas living in the world. At the moment about 12 gorilla trekking families are open to the public in this park.

Check into your lodge

Accommodations of Volcanoes National Park Mountain gorilla view lodge, Virunga Volcanoes lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel La Palme, Hotel Muhavura

Meal Plan Full Board.

Day 4 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Take breakfast and move to the ranger station at the ORTPN for briefing. Do not forget to carry your gorilla trekking gears and pack lunch because you are not sure of the time of finding the mountain gorillas. After briefing, each tourists is allocated a gorilla family to trek but the criteria used is quite hard to determine.

Follow the trails constructed by the regular visitors and avoid trying to move faster than other tourists or rangers because you may take the wrong direction and get lost. The ranger guide follow the pace of the slowest trekker but donot delay the rest of the group.

Since the time of locating the mountain gorillas is hard to determine, keep your mind busy by looking out for other forest dwellers and different features. As you draw close to the mountain gorillas, you may hear them murmur as though alerting other of your presence. The gorilla family members usually keep going on with there daily activities. donot try to touch any member of the gorilla family.

Try to stay calm and follow the rules of gorilla trekking or else you may upset the family. Enjoy the presence of the mountain gorillas and take photos of this moment. Sometimes the mountain gorillas may try to tease you but focus on enjoying the moment. The Dominant silverback may also try to test your intensions for visiting but try to avoid falling into his trap. Remember only one hour of gorilla trekking is allowed with the mountain gorillas which you need to maximize. Return to your lodge to relax.

Day 5 Depart from Volcanoes National Park

After the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour, it is time to get back home and on this day, you will drive back to Kigali Airport.

How Much is the Cost of Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

The cost of the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari is categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. The average cost of this Rwanda safari is about $1600 terms and conditions apply. Note that the cost of the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee permits is universal for all safari packages of this safari.

Cost of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking permit

$1500 for foreign nonresidents

$500 for foreign residents and other Africans

$200 for East Africans

Cost of Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking Permit

$150 for international nonresidents

$75 for international residents

$25 for East Africans

Inclusions in the cost of both gorilla and chimpanzee permits for Rwanda are one hour with either primates, ranger guide fee, park entrance fee, conservation fund support, security and others.

Exclusions in the cost of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are transport, accommodation, tips, snacks and others.  Note that the cost of either gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda may change anytime without warning.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Rwanda For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking

The dry season which is June, July, August, September and October is the most preference timing for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda even though these activities are open all year. In general the trails used by the ranger guides are drier as more sunlight penetrated through dense canopy to the ground in this season which reduces the amount of precipitation in the forest. The mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers are quicker to spot in this season.

The dry season is the Rwanda peak tourism time so expect others who visit Rwanda on ground. Even the demand for logistics that support gorilla trekking in Rwanda is higher in the dry season yet supply is minimal creating cutthroat competition.

The wet season should not scare you if you desire to visit Rwanda for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventure. No matter the season of the year, finding mountain gorillas is a sure deal in Volcanoes National Park.

The wet season is normally March, April, May and November but the mountain gorilla are present in the park no matter the season. They may move to a spot to where they can find shelter from the heavy rains but will not disappear beyond traceable.

The wet season is low tourism season in Rwanda as so chances of having the gorilla family to yourself are higher. Even those with a small budget may use this season to enjoy gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with chances of an upgrade from some service providers.  

What is the age limit for Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking Tour In Rwanda

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and over, chimpanzee trekking age limit in Rwanda is 12 years and over. These age were set to depending on the nature of the topography where these activities take place in Rwanda because it is ragged.

In general Rwanda has steep slopes and the mountain gorillas sometimes wonder up the highlands so you have to hike to get to them which may be quite hectic for the children below these ages.

At a glance the mountain gorillas, may frightened you even though they are known for being serene and calm so may not be comfortable for children below this age.

What Else To Do On A Visit To Rwanda

Game Safaris in Rwanda

Akagera National Park is the only game park of Rwanda hosting a number of Wild animals. At the moment, this park is recovering from extinction as some animals are being restored by the African parks a none profit making organization together with the Rwanda Development Board.

Some of the animals of Akagera National Park you may see during the game drive include lions, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, zebras and others. The presence of several crater lakes dotted in the park even makes a stunning appearance for those who visit this park. the most prominent lake is lake Ihema where you can enjoy the boat ride and better view of the towering highlands around Akagera National Park.

Canopy Walk Over Nyungwe National Park

 If you are not afraid of heights, try the canopy walk over Nyungwe National Park. Enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding and watch out for the monkeys that hope from one tree to another.

This suspension bridge is about 90 meters long and is above the forest canopy at approximately 50 meters high. No experience is necessary to try the canopy walk but the determination to push through to the end of this daring experience over the thick Nyungwe forest.

Kigali city tour

The Kigali city tour is one of the mesmerizing tours in the country as this is where the Rwanda heart beats. It is the capital city of Rwanda and main business center of the country. Visit the businesses, enjoy the locally made coffee, a taste of the Rwanda cuisines to mention but a few.

Genocide memorial tour in Rwanda

Various genocide memorial are nested in different parts of Rwanda as a reminder of the people in this country of the tragedy that befell the country in 1994. A number of Rwandese massacred each other and parents were separated from there children. This period was also referred to as 100 days of Ignorance. The remains of the victims of this horrible time are preserved in some of the spots where this barbaric act happened.

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