Top Primate Destinations in Rwanda: The opportunity to spot primates in their natural habitat in Rwanda is an opportunity that every tourist considers when planning a safari to Rwanda. Primates range from Mountain gorillas, Golden monkeys, and chimpanzees, not forgetting the different monkey species that are found in the national parks in the country. Rwanda is a captivating destination that has attracted thousands of tourists to the country to track the primates in their natural habitat.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is located in Northwestern Rwanda and is the premier destination when it comes to primate adventures. The popular primate experiences to expect to engage in at Volcanoes Park include mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking.
Gorilla trekking involves exploring habituated gorilla families, including among others Hirwa, Amahoro, Muhoza, Karisimbi, Umubano, Agashya, Susa A, Kwitonda, Bwenge, and Sabyinyo. Before the trek begins, park rangers brief visitors on the gorilla trekking guidelines and regulations in the Kinigi area.
The actual trek with mountain gorillas starts at 8:00 am and takes about 2-6 hours. The long hours include a magical encounter with a family of mountain gorillas in the wild.
Golden monkeys are on the list of endangered species of the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature), and there are estimated to be about only 10,000 left in the world, 5,000 of which are living in the Virunga region/ranges. Golden monkey trekking can take the whole day in Volcanoes National Park, starting as early as 7:30 am with a briefing from the experienced guides. You will, however, need to purchase a Golden Monkey trekking permit from the Rwanda Development Board through a trusted tour operator.
The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda is as stated below.
Foreign non-residents $1500 per person
East African citizens $200 per person
For other African citizens, $500 per person
Park rangers have habituated the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Consequently, these primates welcome human presence and remain calm when tourists approach. They are, however, playful creatures, and you need to follow all the rules and guidelines given to you by the experienced guides. Note that you should also book the permits in advance to avoid last-minute planning.
Beyond gorilla trekking tours, Volcanoes National Park is also an ideal place to visit to explore birds –the park holds up to 200 species of birds. The birds of interest in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park include Rwenzori turacos, handsome francolin, Rwenzori nightjars, Dusky crimsonwing, Brown-necked parrot, Archer’s robin-chat, African long-eared owl, scarlet-tufted sunbird, lagden’s bush-shrike, Grauer’s swamp warblers, and strange weaver bird.
It also features 5 Virunga Volcanoes, including Mount Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Karisimbi, Bisoke, and Muhabura Volcanoes.
To provide you with the most accurate information for 2026, I have updated the population figures based on the latest IUCN data. Most experts now estimate the total population to be between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals, all confined to the Albertine Rift. Golden monkey trekking can take the whole day in Volcanoes National Park, starting as early as 7:30 am with a briefing from the experienced guides.
The cost of the golden monkey permit in Rwanda is as stated below.
Adults Children
Foreign non-residents $100
Foreign residents $65 $45
Rwanda Citizens RWF 4000 RWF 2000
EAC residents $80 $45
Rangers have habituated the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park; consequently, the monkeys welcome human presence and no longer flee at the sight of tourists. They are, however, playful creatures, and you need to follow all the rules and guidelines given to you by the experienced guides. Note that you should also book the permits in advance to avoid last-minute planning.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe is another special destination that is worth visiting for primate safaris. While in Nyungwe National Park, expect to engage in chimpanzee tracking. The chimp treks in Nyungwe start from the Uwinka or Cyamudongo Forest sectors. The unique bit about Nyungwe chimpanzee treks is that you have a chance to interact with a habituated chimpanzee community in the wild.
Besides chimpanzee safaris, you can also engage in colobus monkey tracking. The colobus monkey treks involve exploring the troops of colobus monkeys in Nyungwe Forest. The interesting thing about primate safaris in Nyungwe National Park is that tourists get a chance to explore other primates.
As you plan on tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe, you will need to purchase a trekking permit 3 to 6 months in advance for proper planning. These can be purchased through a trusted tour operator like Anthill Safaris at a small fee.
The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe is as follows.
Foreign non-residents $250 per person
Foreign residents $75 per person
East African Residents $ 25 per person
Purchase of permits is essential because no one is allowed to trek chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and Mountain gorillas if they do not have permits purchased through trusted sources.
Additional primates include grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, Owl-faced monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, crowned monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and others.
Extra experiences to enjoy while in Nyungwe include canopy walks, birding, forest walks, hiking, and others.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is one of the best places to visit for primate safaris in Rwanda during the low season. A visit to Gishwati-Mukura takes you on a remarkable chimpanzee tracking session where you get the opportunity to interact with a habituated chimpanzee community.
Is it safe to go for primate safaris in Rwanda?
Top Primate Destinations in Rwanda: Rwanda primate safaris can be safely enjoyed even during the off or low season. During the actual primate treks, visitors are accompanied by an experienced park ranger guide. The guide services go beyond sharing experiences of nature as they also ensure the overall safety and security of the trekkers.
Rules and regulations to follow when tracking primates in Rwanda
- The age limit for trekking primates in Rwanda is 15 years and above
- A maximum of 8 people in a group will be allowed to trek with the primates per session.
- After locating the primates, all groups have an hour studying the primates and taking photos.
- Always follow the rules and guidelines provided by the experienced guides
- Maintain a distance of 7 meters from the primates at all times
- You have to be healthy to trek the primates in Rwanda. All persons who have illnesses and infections are advised to avoid tracking because the primates might catch the infections, and this affects them terribly.
- Do not wander away from the group during primate tracking
- Eating near the primates is not allowed, and if you are to eat or drink, you have to be at least 200 meters away from the primates.
- Avoid littering the natural habitat of the primates.
- Avoid touching the primates.
- Do not have direct eye contact with the primates because this will be seen as a challenge by the different primate species.
- When taking photos of the primates, turn off the camera flash.
- There are no toilets,s so you need to dig a hole about 30cm deep and cover it up well after finishing your business.
Packing right for primate safaris in Rwanda
Pack the right essentials for safaris in Rwanda to have the perfect primate trekking experience. Below is a list of essentials you should pack for your safari.
- Waterproof knee-length boots
- Long-sleeved shirts and lightweight trousers
- All clothes should be of a neutral colour to easily blend in with the jungle.
- Waterproof rain jackets
- Warm sweaters and ponchos
- First aid kit
- A camera
- Binoculars
- A waterproof backpack to keep all your essentials
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Socks
- Gardening gloves
- Gaiters, although sometimes they are not necessary.
Best time for Primate Safari in Rwanda
You can spot primates in Rwanda year-round. Both dry and wet seasons offer viewing opportunities. However, the dry season provides the best conditions. During this time, trekking routes remain dry and accessible. The vegetation is less dense, making primates easier to spot. The rainy season presents more challenges. Routes become slippery and muddy. Heavy rainfall can sometimes halt trekking activities altogether.
