Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is one of the tourism activities that guests in Rwanda can engage in. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is done in two places and these forests are located on the western side of the country. The most common tourism activity in Rwanda is mountain gorilla trekking however with this activity, guests have more to enjoy on their Rwanda safari or visit to Rwanda.

The Chimpanzees are a species under the great Ape native and this is the same one of the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas share up to 99.8% of the Human DNA putting the chimpanzees close in line to the human race. The chimpanzees tend to stay in the savannah lands of Africa as well as the savannah lands.

The chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda is available for booking at 90 USD for the foreign travelers, 60 USD for the foreign residents and 5,000 rwandan francs for the Rwandan citizens. This is a guided activity and is done in the Nyungwe forest, the Gishwati forest and the Mukura forest.

There are two national parks in Rwanda that offer this chimpanzee trekking experience and these are the Nyungwe forest national park and the Gishwati Mukura national park. The chimpanzee treks done from the Nyungwe forest national park start from each of the three reception centers of the park depending on which is closest.

Chimpanzee trekking in the Nyungwe forest national park

Chimpanzee trekking in the Nyungwe forest national park is the most common destination for guests on a Rwanda safari interested in chimpanzee trekking. The Nyungwe forest national park is located within the Nyungwe forest, a home to the chimpanzees. The chimpanzee treks in Nyungwe forest start from either the Uwinka reception center, the Kitabi reception center or the Gisakura reception center.

Guests booked for a chimpanzee trekking experience are expected to be at the trekking reception for a pre trekking briefing as early as 4:30 am and 5 am. Right after this briefing, you may head out to the starting point of the trek. The treks that start from the Uwinka center starts at 5:30 and this trekking team heads out to a group of about 6 chimpanzees living in a family.

There are chimpanzees in the Cyamudongo side of the Nyungwe forest and this side has a family of about 30 plus individuals that you can see on a visit. This team will start their trek by 5 am and you will set off from the Gisakura office. The Gisakura office is very close to the Gisakura visitor center only a 1 hour and 30 minutes’ drive away.

How to purchase a permit for chimpanzee trekking

The Nyungwe forest national park is under the management of the African parks and booking is done ahead of the activity. Cash payments are not accepted at the park reception. Every visitor will be expected to pay for their permits in advance before arrival and only present their invoice and proof of payment on arrival at the park.

You can book your chimpanzee trekking permit through a trusted tour operator like Explore Rwanda tours and enjoy this activity in the Nyungwe forest.

The chimpanzee trekking activity is available for booking any time of the year and for all individuals aged 16 and above. Only guests with identification showing that they are above the recommended aged are given permits. Children below the age of 15 will not be allowed to take on this activity.

There are some activities in the Nyungwe forest that guests below the age of 15 years can engage in such as the canopy walkway to spot the forest at the top however they will have to be in the care of an adult.

You can add a visit to the Nyungwe forest national park or the Gishwati Mukura national park after a visit to the Volcanoes national park and get to spot two Great Ape species on one Rwanda tour.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are similar to the mountain gorillas however they differ in a number of ways like the chimpanzees are more playful and jumpier as compared to the mountain gorillas. The chimpanzees just like the mountain gorillas make new nests on every night and these can build their nests at the top of the trees.

Chimpanzees share up to 98.7 percent of the human DNA and this can be seen on a visit as they go about their day. The chimpanzees are quite very intelligent creatures and they use vocals to communicate.

Reach out to us and let us plan your visit to the chimpanzee homes in Rwanda.