Trekking Safari with Chimpanzees in Rwanda
Trekking safaris for chimpanzees in Rwanda is an exciting and among the most well-known activities there drawing large numbers of visitors. One of the most frequented protected regions in south western Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park is the site of chimpanzee trekking. Other primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, silver monkeys, mammals including duikers, serval cats, giant forest hogs and many bird species call Nyungwe forest national park home.
Experience trekking among chimps in Rwanda
Beginning very early in the morning with a training regarding the policies, procedures, and expectations at the park headquarters, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park starts quite early. Following the briefing, you will begin a two to five hour hiking journey in the forest depending on the location of the chimpanzees since they prefer to travel in quest of food. Once the chimpanzees are discovered, you will be permitted to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat, so allowing you an opportunity to observe them feed, nurse, play, take pictures and record videos to show people back home. You will also be able to view other wildlife species during trekking.
Cost of a Rwandan chimpanzee hiking permit
For foreign non-residents, chimps’ trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park cost 150 USD per person; for foreign residents, they cost 75 USD per person; for East African citizens, they cost 25 USD per person.
When spending one day or night in the park, visitors heading for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park will also be able to pay park entrance fee which cost 100 USD per person for foreign non residents, 60 USD per person for African citizens and foreign residents in Rwanda and 10 USD per person. Foreign non-residents will be taxed 150 USD each person when spending two nights; African citizens and foreign residents in Rwanda will be charged 90 USD each person; Rwandan citizens will be charged 15 USD per person.
How to arrange Rwanda’s chimpanzee hiking permits?
Either directly through Rwanda Development Board (RDB), where you will be contacted by the park headquarters via email or phone calls, chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park can be booked. Booked through a reputable trip operator , you will be contacted with the date, months and year you choose to hike the chimpanzees from Nyungwe forest national park. Following your contact with us, we will look for permit availability and, should permits be available on your chosen dates, you will be required to make a permission deposit. After we have the money, we will get the permit on your behalf.
Ideal time to visit Rwanda for chimpanzee hiking safaris
Though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February since the national park receives less rainfall during this period, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park can be done all year long. Trekking will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
What should one bring for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest national park?
Among the several basic things you should pack for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest national park are hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt and trousers, garden gloves, insect repellent, waterproof rain jacket, camera and extra batteries, walking stick, back pack among others.
Where in the national park Nyungwe Forest should one stay?
From budget, middle-class to luxury, Nyungwe forest national park offers lodging options for your chimpanzee trekking safari including Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Kitabi Eco-centre, One and Only Nyungwe House, Gis Sakura Guest House, Nyungwe Eco Village, Nyungwe Forest Lodge among others.
Getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Located in southern western Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park is reachable by road from Kigali via muhanga, huye, then to the park headquarters, requiring roughly six to seven hours of journey.
Contact us or visit our website to reserve a chimpanzee trekking safari package for further information on chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda.
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