What To Expect On Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

During gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda, expect to meet a spectacle of almost all primates of African. The rain forests of Rwanda offer a comfortable home for several primates to thrive. Enquire Now

When on a search to find the mountain gorillas expect to move along ever dense trails, thick undergrowth creepers drape from over your head and more.  

Expect to be in company of a ranger guide for both gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking experience. Even though the chimpanzees or mountain gorillas are habituated, other forest inhabitants are wild and very insecure with intruders so you need protection.

Where to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in Volcanoes National Park in northwestern part of the country. To conform gorilla trekking attendance in Rwanda, you need a gorilla permit issued by Rwanda Development Board.

Note that maximum 8 gorilla trekking permits are open for gorilla safari in Rwanda. Rwanda currently has 12 gorilla trekking families including Amahoro, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi and others.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite steep because of the nature of the topography of Rwanda in general. Volcanoes National Park has several highlands that influence its climate that is Mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Muhavura where the gorillas spend some of their time on the slopes or deep in the valley.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National park is home to the endangered golden monkeys open for golden monkey trekking, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and others.

Where To Go For Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

To do chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, Nyungwe National park is the destination. Nyungwe National Park is in a pristine forest with thick forest canopy and a dense network of rivers that crisscross the forest. Rain in this forest falls anytime.

Cyamudondo on the outskirts of Nyungwe forest is another habitant for the chimpanzee community in Rwanda. Uwinka is the main headquarters of the park.

The topography of Nyungwe forest is rugged with several highlands that result from volcanic actions that influence the climate of this area. Several trails connect different parts of Nyungwe forest with amazing features along the way including Usamo trail, Igishigishigi trail and others.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Nyungwe forest is home to primates including Dent Mona monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys and others.

Over 300 bird species have been recorded as residents of Nyungwe forest including Albertine rift endemics.

What To Expect During Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

• On gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking day expect to gather early morning at the ranger station for briefing. Details of the most recent information about the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is communicated by the ranger guide before proceeding on the search to find them.
• During briefing to do gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda expect to share the same space with other tourists and later all trekkers for the day are randomly allocated a troop to trek.
• On the way to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, expect to come across other forest dwellers like forest elephants, duikers, other primates, several bird species and more. Volcanoes forest and Nyungwe forest are prehistoric forests home to rare species that are hard to find on the mainland.
• Do not expect to locate the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees at a specific time or location. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda are free to explore the forests which are vast so get ready to go through almost the same experience and take unknown time.
• In case you come across possibly dangerous inhabitants while searching to do gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking do not panic but wait for the ranger guide to give you a way forward. This is to avoid escalating the situation in the forest that can end into a stampede.
• Expect to take breaks while on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventure in order to recuperate and continue moving to find these primates.
• The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees get to know about your presence before tracing them so try to adhere to the rules to avoid causing trouble amongst these primates.
• Seeing the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees may stimulate some adrenaline however try to control your emotions in order not to look suspicious. The gorilla or chimpanzees may try to reach out and touch you out of curiosity however try to get away without causing any trouble.
• One hour with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is allowed so that you allow the go about their daily activities. The presence of humans interrupts the daily routine of the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

What Are The Requirements For Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

• Prepare for gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in advance so that you can reserve the best options of the safari elements according to your budget.
• Book the gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking permit up front before they sell out.
• Reserve the safari logistics like accommodation, transport in advance. These contribute a great deal to the final experience you get on safari.
• Do a health check up before travelling for this safari in Rwanda so that you know the status of your body. In case you catch a communicable infection like flu, cough, covid-19 and others, volunteer to stay behind in case you are still ill but remember to report to the responsible authority. The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human infections.
• Engage in some light exercises to keep your body fit for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking. The topography of Volcanoes or Nyungwe forest is rugged so expect to hike to find these primates which is quite challenging.
• When packing for gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking safari to Rwanda, cross check with the list of what to pack for these tours so that you do not get disappointed when on ground. Note that there no major shops close to Volcanoes or Nyungwe forest where you can do a quick shopping for these adventures.
• The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years and beyond and chimpanzee trekking 12 years and over in Rwanda so take note of this before booking this primate safari.

Can Mountain Gorillas Or Chimpanzees Get Violent During Gorilla Trekking Or Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

The mountain gorillas or chimpanzees are known to be calm primates but they have feeling too and can charge when provoked.

Before opening a chimpanzee community or gorilla trekking family to the public, it is first habituated for unknown time. Gorilla habituation or chimpanzee habituation process helps these primates to get accustomed to human presence without altering their nature.

When agitated, the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees may show signs like hooting, chest thumping, pull grass around them and others. Do not panic upon seeing such behavior but remain composed as the ranger guide provides the next step which every person is expected to adhere to.

Note that despite the misconception about the outlook of the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, ensure to abide by the rules of gorilla or chimpanzee trekking so as to have a successful moment with these human relatives in the jungle.

How Easy Or Hard Is Gorilla Trekking Or Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda happen in quite steep environments because of the general nature of the terrain of the country in general. Rwanda is referred to as the land of a thousand hill or the Switzerland of African because of the similarity in the land scape of both countries.

Having some level of fitness enables you to transverse the forests during gorilla or chimpanzee trekking with nothing to stop you from going forward and experiencing the best of the forest.

Wear the right gorilla or chimpanzee trekking gears that are jungle friendly and are comfortable to wear while you search to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

To enjoy the entire gorilla or chimpanzee trekking adventure, keep up with the pace of the rest of the trekkers so that you are not lost in the jungle.

The vegetation along the trails falls over obstructing the way and tangled vines obstruct the way. Ranger guide with a machete uses it to trim the overgrown foliage and create a path to use and go forward.

How Long Does Gorilla Trekking Or Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda Take

Time to take on gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda varies from about 2 hours and more depending on the location of these primates. To find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, below are some of the influencing factors like food location, mood of the gorilla family and more.

 If time lags focus on finding other forest dwellers that normally show up along the way to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and others.

Keep on moving to find the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas because there is no backing off.

When you meet the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees one hour of viewing is allowed so as to make good use of every moment.

The time with the mountain gorillas is regulated to reduce on the time to spend interacting with these primates. The more time you take with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees there are more chances of rubbing wrongly on these very sensitive primates.

What is the cost of gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda

The cost of gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda is categorized into three that is luxury package, basic package and mid-range package. The cost of gorilla and chimpanzee permits for Rwanda is felts in all safari packages.

The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking package is currently $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents and other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking permit for Rwanda currently is $150 for international non resident, $75 for international residents or other African and $25 for East Africans.

Consider the cost of other accompanying Rwanda safari logistics including accommodation cost, transport cost, driver guide hire and more.

Have some hard cash on you to chance into local currency which is Rwandese Francs to use for on ground purchases. Credit cards are still hard to use as a form of exchange in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.

Tips for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda

Pack your safari gears in a water proof back pack so that the items in it do not get wet

Hire a porter to assist with carrying your bags during chimpanzee trekking or gorilla trekking to lift off your body their weight that will weigh you down.

During gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, avoid provoking the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees because this may send them into the deeper ends of the forest.

Do not stare in the eyes of the chimpanzees or mountain gorillas because this makes them feel shy and may push them into hiding.

Keep closer to the people trekking gorillas or chimpanzees with in order not to get lost in the dense jungle.

Carry some energy bites and other light snacks to keep eating during the breaks while on the search to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

Avoid feeding the chimpanzees or mountain gorillas because this may force them to pounce at you at times to grab the remainders. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are wild animals that must not depend on human supplies.

Wear your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking gears to prevent some unbearable circumstances that can end up hearting your skin.

Best time for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda

The dry season serves as the best time to do gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda although they are both all year around activities. The dry season of Rwanda is normally June, July, August, September, December and January. The environment in the forest favors faster movement to search for these vulnerable primates.

Whether it is gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking, seeing these primates is much easier in the dry season when more sunlight draws through the dense canopy to the ground. Creating a favorable ambience for seeing a number of forest dwellers.

The wet season on the other hand is also great for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking although these primates normally keep in sheltered spots. The wet season which is normally March to May and November is safari time too in Rwanda.

Note that no matter when you travel to do gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, be assured of seeing these primates.

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