When we talk of Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, think of it as walking for one hour and more through the dense forest to find our closest cousins-Chimpanzees going about their daily activities. Your remarkable experience starts from Kigali with briefing about the trip, followed by 5-6 hours to the south-west of Rwanda, bordering Burundi.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a spectacular tourist destination in Rwanda of over 98000 hectares sheltering 13 primate species, over 322 bird species and about 1000 flora species. It is therefore a great opportunity to walk through this secluded jungle to find the habituated chimpanzee communities.
How Chimpanzee trekking adventures are conducted in Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzee trekking adventures in Nyungwe Forest start with arrival at any of the three Visitor Centers (Uwinka, Gisakura and Kitabi). Make payments for Park entrance and trekking fess (although can be done online in advance to avoid disappointments). On the actual trekking date, briefing and registration has to be done before finally embarking into the jungle. Visitor groups totaling to 6 members are then allocated to particular chimpanzee troops.
Treks start slowly through the dense forest and soon there will be no visible trail/path to be followed hence the Ranger guide creates it with a machete as you maneuver through the thicket, steep slopes and muddy streams. Half an hour to over 4 hours on the road, trekkers start hearing the chimpanzees that are with hidden high above trees of playing on the ground while screaming/hooting at the top of their voices.
The guide who accompanies the visitor group of 6 persons whispers slowly and in no time individual chimpanzees start appearing from their hideouts. Some will be resting on the floor, others playing above in the trees and others (especially females) will be seen carrying or breastfeeding their babies. Observe them at an appropriate distance (8 meters) and see how beautiful facial expressions, behavior and others are so much similar to humans. For about 60 minutes observing them, time is up to leave them go about their daily routines. Back to the reserved places of lodging, trekkers are warm, sweaty and fatigued but above all fulfilled and thrilled to have spent such quality time with our close cousins.
Chimpanzee trekking permits and how to book for them
Chimpanzee trekking permits for Nyungwe Forest cost only $100 per person which includes a Ranger guide, Park entrance fees and the actual trek. Permits can be purchased at Gisakura or Uwinka Visitor Centers, although it is more hassle free to buy them online by simply checking Rwanda Development Board Website.
What to carry and wear during Chimpanzee trekking tours in Nyungwe Forest
Before you even board a plane for a flight to Rwanda, make sure that what you have packed is right and light for the adventure you are about to embark on. To have a good experience, make sure that you are donned in comfortable and breathable safari pants, long sleeved shirts to protect your legs and arms from stinging insects and scratching vegetation, strong hiking boots to ably maneuver through the thick vegetation, muddy streams and hike rugged slopes, wide brim hat and sunglasses for sun protection, gardening gloves to protect hands when using vegetation for support, cotton socks. Besides the wear, a camera is handy for taking photos while pair of binoculars will be helpful for spotting smaller and far creatures in the forest, enough drinking water and snacks for refueling through the trek, insect repellant for skin protection against unpleasant insects in the forest. Don’t leave behind your basic first aid kit and rain jacket for the unexpected downpours experienced in the jungle.
Where to sleep while undertaking chimpanzee trekking tours in Nyungwe Forest
There are few places to sleep while undertaking chimpanzee trekking tours in Nyungwe Forest but they are Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Uwinka Visitor Center and Campsite, One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge, Kitabi Eco center and many others.
Getting to Nyungwe Forest for Chimpanzee Trekking Tours
Getting to Nyungwe Forest is mainly by road and air.
By Road
Road is the commonest means of getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park and involves 5-6 hours’ drive from Kigali with en-route breaks for lunch and touring attractions along the way like Ethnographic Museum in Butare and Royal Palace Museum in Nyanza.
By Air
For air, travellers can book helicopter flights from Kigali International airport to Nyungwe Forest National Park and it lasts only 45 minutes.
