A Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

A Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park: Chimpanzee trekking is a unique sport in which people travel into the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimp families and spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Nyungwe forest national park is located in the southwestern portion of Rwanda and is Rwanda’s second most visited national park after Volcanoes national park.

The Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is home to a variety of animals, including chimps, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, l’Hoest monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, Angolan colobus monkeys, owl faced monkeys, golden monkeys, silver monkeys, and over 300 bird species.

Aside from the Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking is also done in Uganda at several locations such as Kibale forest national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, and Kalinzu forest.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park begins at 5:00 a.m. with a training on the laws and regulations to be followed during the hike. Following the briefing, you will be separated into groups and begin trekking in the forest with an expert park guide who is familiar with several gorilla trekking trails in the forest.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park can take anything from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on where the chimps are situated because they tend to wander from one location to another in quest of food.

You will be able to see additional monkey species, other bird species, plant and tree species, and so on while walking. Once the chimps are located, you will be permitted to spend one hour with them in their natural environment, where you will be able to learn more about their behaviors and routines, observe them as they go about their daily activities, snap photographs, and film the lovely moments.

When is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

The greatest time to go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is during the dry season, which includes June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. Because there is less rainfall in the forest during the dry season, access roads and chimp trekking paths are dry and navigable, as opposed to the wet/rainy season, when the pathways are muddy and treacherous, making walking simple.

How much is a chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

A chimp trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a legal document that allows any person over the age of 15 years to visit a habituated chimpanzee family and spend one hour with the chimpanzee family. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park costs US$150 per person for non-residents and US$25 per person for locals.

How to book a chimpanzee permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

A chimp trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park may be obtained directly from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) by contacting the main office by phone or email. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park may also be obtained through a reputable tour operator such as Explore Rwanda Tours, who will contact you with the dates you desire to visit the chimpanzees.

 After you contact us, we will check for permit availability on your selected days, and if permits are available, you will be required to submit a deposit. Once we receive your payment, you will be required to email us a copy of your passport information, and we will acquire the chimp trekking permit on your behalf.

Booking a chimp trekking permit through Explore Rwanda Tours is the best option because we will not only book a chimpanzee trekking permit for you but will also plan your entire safari including accommodation, transportation, and other activities to do after chimp trekking.

Accommodation in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

During your chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest national park, you can stay at Nyungwe forest lodge, One and Only Nyungwe house, Nyungwe Nziza Eco lodge, Chimpanzee lodge, Kitabi eco-Centre, Nyungwe Top view hill hotel, Gisakura guest house, Uwinka campsite, La Petite Collines guest house, Keza lodge, Gisakura family hostel, among others.

Other Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Other activities available in Nyungwe Forest National Park following chimp trekking include Canopy walk, Nature walk/hiking, cultural tours, monkey trekking, bird watching, and visiting the Gisakura tea estate, among others.

What to pack for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park?

Insect repellent, garden gloves, long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking boots, camera and extra batteries, energy snacks and drinking water, a hat, waterproof rain jacket, a pair of binoculars, a back pack, and other items should be packed for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest national park.

How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park?

The Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the southern section of Rwanda and may be reached by road transport, which takes around 4 to 5 hours from Kigali to the park headquarters.

Nyungwe forest national park may also be reached by air, with Rwanda air transport flying from Kigali international airport to Kamembe international airport and then connecting to Nyungwe forest national park by road.