Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe National Park
Not Rated
Duration

2 to 5 hours

Cancellation

No Cancellation

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

English, Francais

Overview

In so many ways, tracking the chimps is so different from the mountain gorilla experience, so unlike the mountain gorillas, the chimps are moving constantly around and at high speeds, jumping from tree to tree making noise. But the gorillas are usually found sitting eating quietly with in the forest clearings. The other big difference between these two is the tracking experiences and by this  the gorillas, one is usually allowed one hour of observing and taking photos of them, but with the chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda, there is no limit, keeping up with them is also the main challenge and the biggest determining factor of the amount of time that is spent with them. Of all the primates that are found in Nyungwe forest, it’s the chimpanzees that are the famous ones and core wildlife attractions in this national park.

These habituated chimpanzee group in Nyungwe forest is also bigger with about 60 individuals and due to the greatness of the forest and terrain, it gives few chances of seeing the chimps, while the group in Cyamudongo forest that has a smaller number of about 30 chimps giving the most successful sightings that are given in the small size that is covered to find the chimps in any part.

Chimpanzee trekking experience is so different from that of gorilla trekking as the chimps are running around in the tree canopies and there may be running after to catch up and the sightings are more rushed and sporadic.

The section of Nyungwe Forest National were the chimpanzees are tracked also begins in Cyamudongo, a 4 and half hour drive from Kigali. This forest is also Africa’s oldest montane forest and its home to over 13 secies of primates including over 500 chimpanzees. Also as you pass through the forest, you will hear the whoops and the cackles of L’Hoest’s and the black faced vervet monkeys.

The main challenge with these chimpanzees is with finding them, as they are not so habituated and are always shy, also their human instincts are so strong and they show a lot of curiosity and the eagerness when the tourists are around.

The humans and the chimpanzees share 98% of their DNA, making them more exciting to be observed, most especially when they display what we call human behavior. Chimp trekking is so fast paced and so exciting and in our opinion which makes it more of the adventure than gorilla trekking. There are also few well established paths, denser forests to go through and discovering them on one’s own also makes it more exciting.

The chimpanzee trekking permits are also $90 which is less than that of the mountain gorillas. There are over 64 permits per day that are issued in Rwanda for chimp trekking and only 8 people per day for chimpanzee tracking. Therefore it’s advisable to book these permits well in advance and a year is not too soon.

Considering Rwanda for the primate adventure is financially more conceivable when considering the chimpanzees instead of the mountain gorillas and it’s an option that will not disappoint. More so, there are many stories of the people that are coming to Rwanda and bumping into the gorillas as you travel in the forest and the sightings at one of the lodges. The mountain gorillas are also habituated and also feel somewhat more comfortable around the humans and have been known to venture to the lodges in search of food. There are also no guarantees of this happening, and in case you are lucky it’s very possible.

 

Highlights

  • Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest starts off from three reception centers, that’s Uwinka, Kitabi and Gisakura where the tourists meet the park rangers and the tourists are also expected to be at the reception as early as 4: 30am and by 5 am, you drive to the starting point of the trek into the forest. Since the chimps nest each and every night, there are the trackers who go ahead of the trekking group to find them and communicate with the ranger guides. The tourists spend only 1 hour with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest National Park, and get to observe them so closely going about their own lives and see the human-like features and behavior that makes them our closest relatives with 98.7 % DNA. The chimps also communicate by way of deafening screams, the loud hoots, and the booming hitting of the tree barks and the buttress. It’s such a hair-rising moment like no other and so memorable

05:00 Picking a guide and drive for 1 hour

you pick a guide from park reception 

0600 arrival at working point

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06:00 to 09:00am tracking and coming back to starting point .

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  • Specialized bilingual guide
  • Entrance fees
  • Additional Services
  • Private transport
  • Insurance
  • Drink
  • Tickets

3 – 5 hours

English
Francais

animals
nature
Sightseeing Tours
wildlife

Activity's Location

Nyungwe National Park

When and where does the tour start?

Depending on which group you may pick to visit, the visit can start at 05:00 am or at 07:00 am . The client is alway informed day before.

The starting point also changes depend on where chimpanzee have moving, so the park guide inform you alway before your tracking

When and where does the tour end?
from $140,00

Owner

adminzest

Member Since 2023

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CANCELLATION TERMS

Applied cancellation fees differ between packages (including accommodation and/or car rental) and tours.

  • For cancellations received up to 30 calendar days before the scheduled departure, a 5% cancellation fee will be charged.
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  • For cancellations received 7 -14 calendar days before the scheduled departure date an 15% cancellation fee will be charged.
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