Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda; Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting and one of the most sought-after activities in Rwanda after gorilla trekking. Rwanda offers chimpanzee trekking, an exciting and sought-after activity second only to gorilla trekking. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda involves moving into the tropical rainforest to search for habituated chimpanzees. Once you find them, you spend an hour with them in their natural habitat. Various destinations in Rwanda offer chimpanzee trekking, including Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda
You can go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda any time of the year, regardless of the season. Rwanda experiences two seasons: the dry, or peak, season in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, and the wet, or rainy, season in March, April, May, and November.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda during the dry/peak season
The dry season, from June to September and December to February, is the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. During this period, less rainfall occurs in the chimpanzee destinations, making access roads and trekking trails dry and passable, which eases trekking.
In the dry season, less rainfall results in thinner vegetation in the chimpanzee destinations, making it easier to view chimpanzees and other wildlife species.
Though the dry season is the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, it has some disadvantages. For example, you might trek for longer hours to find chimpanzees because they will be deep in the forest searching for food. Another disadvantage of trekking chimpanzees during the dry season is the difficulty in acquiring chimpanzee trekking permits because they are always in high demand and sell out quickly.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda during the wet/rainy season
The wet season occurs during March, April, May, October, and November. Heavy rains characterize the wet season, making access roads and chimpanzee trekking trails wet, muddy, and slippery.
Though the wet season brings heavy rainfall, you can still go chimpanzee trekking. When the rains stop, tourists can go for their chimpanzee trekking activity. Trekking chimpanzees in Rwanda during the wet season offers various advantages; for example, trekking hours are shorter because plenty of food and fruits for the chimpanzees mean they will not move deep into the forest.
During the wet season, you will find it easy to acquire chimpanzee trekking permits, which favors last-minute travelers. Additionally, luxury lodges offer discounts to attract tourists, which benefits budget clients.
Chimpanzee trekking experience
A chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you begin trekking in the forest with an experienced park guide who knows the different trekking trails well. Chimpanzee trekking takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ location, because they move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will view different wildlife species, including mammals, birds, and other primate species. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will spend one hour with them in their natural habitat, which allows you to learn more about their behaviors, habits, and lifestyle. You can watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, fight, play, rest, and take photos and record incredible moments to show people back home after your safari.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda
Chimpanzee permits for Nyungwe Forest National Park currently cost USD 250 per person for foreign non-residents, USD 75 for foreign residents, and USD 25 for East African citizens (including Ugandans). These rates apply to visitors on normal chimpanzee trekking tours to Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.
The chimpanzee permit cost covers park entrance fees, park ranger fees, and an hour with chimpanzees. The cost of chimp permits also includes an hour with a chimpanzee community and the relevant government tax. The price for a chimpanzee permit excludes car hire (transportation), accommodation, beverages, travel insurance, extra activities, and shopping costs.
Is Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park Safe?
Trained ranger guides regularly patrol Nyungwe Forest, keeping tourists safe. Before trekking, you must attend a briefing at the ranger station, where guides explain the rules. Additionally, at least two armed rangers carry a machete and rifle to lead every tour.
A chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park may take about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the location of their food point. Though they habituate chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park to be in front of humans for at least one hour, they still possess their natural traits.
When you begin the search for the chimpanzees, they tend to keep moving as they go about their daily activities; just a little patience will get you to exactly where these primates may be. Nyungwe Forest National Park also has other occupants like blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, bush babies, red-tailed monkeys, and others. A plethora of birds spend their day in the forest each day, including Albertine Rift endemics.
Finally, when you get to see the chimpanzees, they only allow you one hour with them and later allow them to go about their daily activities. Chimpanzees eat foliage throughout the day, and they need to collect and eat enough to last the night and day.
Accommodation in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park has accommodation categorized into three categories: luxury, mid-range, and budget/basic accommodation facilities.
Accommodation is always hard to get if you do not book in advance because they are always in high demand during the peak season with large crowds of tourists. Some of the facilities that are around Nyungwe Park include the following:
Café Restro Bar Keza:
Located in Gisakura, Café Restro Bar Keza is a tourist hub because of its strategic location. Keza has 10 affordable but clean self-contained rooms with en-suite bathrooms that have clean hot running water.
Gisakura Family Hostel:
The hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation facility near the main road in Gisakura. The facility is good for tourists traveling in groups, those who don’t mind sharing rooms, and those traveling on a budget. The meals are also affordable and include both local and international cuisines.
One & Only Nyungwe House:
If you are looking for a luxury stay, then the One & Only House is the place to be. It is the only luxury facility in the area with 32 well-maintained, luxurious, comfortable rooms, and it is considered to be the best facility for tourists tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe.
Kitabi Eco-Center:
The lodge is a well-known facility located in Kitabi, offering services like international dishes, self-contained rooms, parking spaces, playgrounds for tourists traveling with children, and a beautiful terrace with great views of Mount Kitabi.
How to Get to Nyungwe Forest National Park?
By Road: The closest town to Nyungwe Forest is Cyangugu, located 54 km away on the shores of the picturesque Lake Kivu. This town is approximately a four-hour drive south of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. The journey takes you through a scenic route that passes through Butare, known as Rwanda’s cultural capital.
By Air: We can arrange domestic flights from Kigali to Kamembe, which is near Nyungwe Forest. For a more luxurious
Packing List for Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
To have the most memorable experience tracking the chimps, we recommend that you come with the following items: –
A backpack: A light backpack to carry your important items like cameras, binoculars, snacks, and spare clothes
Hiking boots: The shoes need to be sturdy, with good traction and resistant to water. You will be climbing slippery and muddy slopes.
Clothing and stockings: The clothing should be suitable for cold weather, and a rain jacket should be worn. The shorts and trousers should be long-sleeved to protect you from sharp grass and insects. Stockings should be able to dry quickly, woolen (if possible), and water-resistant (if possible).
Insect Repellents: Do not forget an insect repellent. There are all kinds of insects in tropical rainforests. Most are harmless, but they will still bother you if they can find their way to you.
Camera and binoculars: A good camera to capture the special moments with the chimps and a pair of binoculars to spot them while still on top of the trees. The binoculars and camera shouldn’t be too heavy to make you tired. The camera should have good zoom lenses to capture good photos of the chimps while on top of the trees. No flash cameras are allowed.
Drinking water and a packed snack: This is important in case the activity goes longer than expected, and you find yourself hungry or thirsty.
Chimpanzee Trekking Regulations
- Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is open to those who are at least 12 years old. However, exceptions can be made if a child is old enough, fit, strong, and able to follow instructions from the Rangers.
- Only six people may track a particular community of chimps per session. Too many unknown faces may make the chimps nervous and agitated.
- Always listen and follow instructions from your Guide. They understand the chimps quite well and know what they are talking about. You cannot enter the forest without an official Guide.
- You cannot track chimps when they are sick or ill with transmissible diseases like flu, cough, or diarrhea.
- Chimps are more unpredictable than gorillas. Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the nearest chimp.
- Eating food close to the chimps is not allowed. They may grab the food from you violently or forcefully.
- Using flash cameras is not allowed while working with the primates.
- Try to have a heavy breakfast before going out to track the chimps. Also, remember to go to the toilet before heading out to the forest. You never know how long the trek will last. The rangers usually dig a hole for those who wish to go for long calls deep in the forest.
