Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park 2024
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park 2024; chimpanzee trekking is an interesting and the second best done activity in Rwanda after gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park. chimpanzee trekking involves tourists moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their environment. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is only done in Nyungwe forest national park which is the largest and one of the oldest tropical rainforests in Africa located in south western part of Rwanda. Apart from Nyungwe forest national park, chimpanzee trekking is also done in Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest in Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking experience
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle which takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on where the chimpanzees slept the previous night. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviours, watch them feed, play, hunt, fight, rest, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park 2024
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this time there is less rainfall in the park therefore hiking trails will be dry and passable which makes chimpanzee trekking easy.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park cost 150 USD per person for foreign non residents, 75 USD per person for foreign residents and 25 USD per person for East African citizens. The fee however excludes park entrance fee to Nyungwe forest national park which costs 100 USD per person for foreign non residents, 60 USD per person for foreign residents and 10 USD per person for East African citizens when spending one night in the park. when spending two nights in the park, park entrance fees cost 150 USD per person for foreign residents, 90 USD per person for foreign residents and 15 USD per person for East African residents.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park can be booked directly through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) where you will contact the park headquarters in Kigali via email or telephone call. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the chimpanzees. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment has been done, we will be able to purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
What to pack for chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest national park
There are a number of essential items that you should pack or carry when going on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest national park including long sleeved shirt and trouser, waterproof rain jacket, insect repellent, garden gloves, hiking shoes, long socks, camera and extra batteries, drinking water and energy snacks, walking stick, face masks, a hat and sunglasses, a pair of binoculars, back pack among others.
Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari
Nyungwe forest national park has a number of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Nyungwe Nziza Eco-lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Kitabi Eco-Centre, One and Only Nyungwe House, Gisakura Guest House, Gisakura Visitor Centre, Uwinka Campsite, E.R.A Gisakura Visitor Guesthouse, Rusizi Progress Hotel among others.
How to get to Nyungwe forest national park
Nyungwe forest national park is located in south western part of Rwanda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kigali through muhanga, nyanza, huye town and then to the park headquarters which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive.
Nyungwe forest national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book a domestic flight with Rwanda air from Kigali international airport to Kamembe airport and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
When using air transport means, tourists can also book charter helicopter flights with Akagera Aviation from Kigali airport to One & only Nyungwe house.
Chimpanzee trekking is an adventurous activity in Nyungwe forest national park that can be combined with gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park. For more information, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for combined safari packages.
