Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda; Chimpanzee trekking is the second best done activity in Rwanda after gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is done in Nyungwe forest national park and it involves travelers moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Nyungwe forest national park is located in south western part of Rwanda and it’s a home of 13 primate species including over 500 chimpanzees,  L’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, mammals like bush pigs, duikers, impalas, bushbucks and different bird species. Apart from Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking is also done in Uganda in Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Budongo forest and Kalinzu forest.

Chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park is done very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated chimpanzee family to trek and an experienced park guide who is conversant with chimpanzee trekking trails. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, birds, different plant and tree species among others. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, lifestyle, habits, watch the chimpanzees feed, breastfeed, hunt, fight, mate, play up in trees, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.

Best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery which makes trekking difficult.

Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe forest national park costs 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 chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe forest national park doesn’t include park entrance fees which is paid separately and it 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 spending one day and night in the park, 150 USD per person for foreign non residents, 90 USD per person for foreign residents and 15 USD per person for East African citizens spending 2 nights in the park and 200 USD per person for foreign non residents, 120 USD per person for foreign residents and 20 USD per person for East African citizens spending 3 nights in the park.

How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park Rwanda can either be booked directly through Rwanda Development Authority (RDB) where you will contact the head offices in Kigali via email or telephone calls. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park can also be booked through a tour company 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 permit available on your dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payment, we will be able acquire the permits on your behalf.

What to pack for chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda

When going for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda, there are a number of items that you should pack including long sleeved shirt and trouser to protect you from thorny plants, hiking shoes to keep your feet dry, insect repellent to protect you from biting insects, warm seater to keep you warm during morning hours, camera and extra batteries to take pictures during the one hour with the chimpanzees, energy snacks and bottled drinking water to keep you hydrated, walking stick to give you support during trekking, a pair of binoculars, garden gloves, back pack among others.

Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity in Rwanda that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Rwanda and for more information you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.