What To Pack For Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking And Gorilla Trekking
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When packing for Rwanda chimpanzee trekking and Gorilla Trekking safari you need to consider the environment to explore when engaging in the search for these primates. The packing list for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking must include safari boots, garden gloves, camera and more/.
Both chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are done in rain forests with high humidity from the regular and untimely rains that fall. Less sunlight sips through the dense leaves to the ground leaving the environment moist most of the time. Even the rivers and streams may flood sometimes maintaining a soggy ground which makes movements quite challenging so carry the right boots.
As you pack for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda do not forget warmers because the temperatures in and around Volcanoes Forest and Nyungwe forest are lower most of the year. Do not forget the rain proof gears as it falls in this place without warming.
For chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking in Rwanda they have similarities or are the same.
Below Is The List Of Items To Include When Packing For Chimpanzee Trekking And Gorilla Trekking safari In Rwanda
Camera
Garden gloves
Safari boots that pull to the ankles
Snacks
Toiletries
Safari hat
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A pair of stockings
Backpack
Insect repellant
Extra clothes to change into
Water bottle
Extra hard cash
Extra fully batteries
First aid kit
Long sleeved shirt and convertible trousers
Adapter
Do purchase travel insurance cover
Flip flops
Rain proof gears
Where To Do Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking And Gorilla Trekking Safari
Nyungwe National Park For Chimpanzee safaris
Nyungwe National Park is a dense rain forest in south western part of Rwanda and home to the chimpanzees. Nyungwe forest is home to a community of chimpanzees and another in Cyamudondo on the outskirts. Uwinka is the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park where chimpanzee trekking briefing happens.
From the briefing point, tourists start the search for chimpanzees using the trails constructed by regular visitors in the forest including Igishigishigi trail, Usamo trail and more. Follow the trail used by the ranger guide so that you do not construct more that will in environmental degradation.
Along the way, you may spot other interesting features including the sparkling waterfalls, streams, rivers, ridges, plateaus and more.
Several birds too are residents of Nyungwe forest including Albertine rift endemics. About 300 bird species have been confirmed as residents of Nyungwe National Park.
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National park are charming to watch as they go about their day activities with close resemblance to that of humans. Do not forget to adhere to the rules of chimpanzee trekking because these also help to release the possible tension the chimpanzees or humans may have on being around each other.
Other primates are residents of Nyungwe forest too including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and more.
Volcanoes National Park For Gorilla Trekking
Volcanoes National Park is home to gorilla trekking in Rwanda with so far about 12 gorilla families open to the public including Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, Susa and more. A number of features are dotted around the topography of Volcanoes forest with five of the six Virunga Volcanoes including Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and more.
After briefing at the ORTPN, the range guide leads tourists to search for the gorilla family allocated to them however there are obstacle to encounter along the way. The ground is wet almost the entire way because of the rain that falls anytime without warning, less sunlight filters through the thick leave and more, creepers drape the tree trunks or the slopes several highlands obstructing the way.
When you locate the mountain gorillas, the ranger guides prepares you for this moment by taking you through what to expect, how to behave and more. The mountain gorillas are curious primates so they may bridge the gap of 8 meters allowed when in the presence of these primates. Try not to show signs of being frightened as this seems suspicious to the mountain gorillas.
Take photos of the mountain gorillas concurrently with watching them control their day activities. It is amazing watching the mountain gorillas groom, discipline, feed, play, silverback taking control and more.
After an hour tourists are expected to vacate the presence of mountain gorillas to allow them go about their day plans. The presence of humans disrupts the daily life of mountain gorillas yet they need to consume enough foliage to take them through the night and day.
What To Expect During Chimpanzee Trekking And Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
When you plan the Rwanda safari including chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, prepare to see some of the largest primates in Africa in their natural setting. Mountain gorillas in the world only live in only three countries in the world Rwanda, Uganda and D.R.Congo. The mountain gorillas are on the list of the highly endangered primates in the world.
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest are endangered primates too with fewer destinations existing in the world too and currently a few still in their natural setting.
Every tourist is expected to report early morning to present a gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permit to the ranger guides at the briefing point before gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking.
Each tourists is allocated a gorilla family or chimpanzee troop in groups which are later escorted by a ranger guide into the forest in search for these primates. Some level of patience is required because these primates are free to explore the forest without no boundaries to stop them.
The forests where mountain gorillas and chimpanzees live have other inhabitants that may be quite threatening to you so do not part from the rest of the trekkers. The tourism police guides carries a riffle for emergency protection and the ranger guide moves with a machete too as some of the simple protective tools.
When you meet the mountain gorillas, its normally full of mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement but you do not have to show this as the gorillas may mistake it.
When Is The Best Time To Do Chimpanzee Trekking And Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
The dry season which is June to September and December to January avails the best time for chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking
Why Choose To Do Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee In The Dry Season
The environment in Nyungwe and Volcanoes forest has lesser precipitation despite the fact that these rain forests are generally characterized by high humid almost the entire year.
The gorillas and chimpanzees spend most of their day time on the ground during the dry season because there is high competition for food up in the canopies with other primates.
The temperatures up in the trees are higher in the dry season so the gorillas and chimpanzees have to stay closer to the ground which is cooler.
In general, the gorillas and chimpanzees’ diet is composed of foliage that they need to consume to take their bodies throughout the day and night.
More sunlight filters through the dense leaves to the ground during the dry season creating a stunning light effect that provides a better ambience to take nature photos and film.
The roads heading to Volcanoes or Nyungwe forest are better to navigate in the dry season as during the wet season they get messy because the soils are soft because they are volcanic.
If you wish to share gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking with other tourists in case you are solo, the dry season is that ideal time. In Rwanda, the peak tourism season is normally the dry season but note that competition for permits is over the top.
The wet season must not be ignored when planning the gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. The wet season in Rwanda is normally March, April, May and November when more rains are generally experienced in the country. This is the low tourism season when fewer tourists travel for Rwanda safaris opening more chances to finding gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking permits.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure In Rwanda
The time you take on gorilla trekking or Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda depend on factors prevailing in the wilderness. From the starting point, gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda may take about 30 minutes to more to find these primates.
Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are free wild animals that traverse the forest with no obstacles to stop them. Even through these primates are free, they do not move to very unrecognizable spots in the forest. The rangers too are in constant contact with early trackers who move in the forest to find where the gorilla family or chimpanzee community may have nested with possible direction likely to take for the day.
Note that the topography of Nyungwe and Volcanoes forest has several highlands with several highland remains including plateaus, ridges and more. The way to locate these primates is quite steep necessitating having some level of fitness to push through and not delay the rest of the group.
To keep the urge to do gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking still high, tourists are advised to look out for other forest inhabitants including black and white colobus, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and more. A plethora of birds are residents of both Nyungwe forest and Volcanoes forest including Albertine rift endemics.
Finally, when with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons.
Can Mountain Gorillas Turn Violent During Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda
Gorillas and chimpanzees by nature are not violent primates but can charge when provoked. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are first habituated for a period to get them used to human presence without altering their nature. This process helps the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees to get accustomed to human presence.
At briefing before gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda tourists are taken through what is expected of them to avoid chances of agitating the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees. When with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees every tourist is expected to maintain a gap of at least 8 meters from these primates even though these primates may bridge the gap, do not touch them.
Some of the odd signs the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees may present when with these primates include chest thumping for the gorillas, hooting, pulling foliage, throwing fruits and more. Do not panic when you notice such odd behavior amongst the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees but wait for the ranger guide to provide new orders.
Try to adhere to the new directives presented by the ranger guides as these may try to calm the situation. Sometimes you may be required to show submission, try demonstrating eating foliage and more in order to control the situation.
How sure Can I Be to See the Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Rwanda
Seeing the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda is a sure deal as these primates undergo habituation process to enable them withstand the presence of humans. The process of gorilla habituation or chimpanzee habituation experience takes sometime until these primates are ready to face humans.
Mountain Gorillas and chimpanzees may relocate but do not move far from their previous spot so but using the clues they leave behind like hairs, foot prints, listen to them calling and more, you are able to trace them.
Chimpanzees and gorillas leave in large families or communities normally which makes it hard for all members to hide so rangers may locate the rest of the members by following the one you get to see first. The gorilla or chimpanzee leads you to others as he or she keeps in communication with them to alert them of your presence. The rules of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are in place to guide you on how to behave when with them these primates. The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are very sensitive to intruders in their vicinity and may react by hooting or any other way. To prevent such occurrences, tourists are requested to follow the rules of gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking.
