Are primate safaris in Rwanda worth the money spent?
September 3, 2021
Are primate safaris in Rwanda worth the money spent?
YES, primate safaris in Rwanda are worth the money spent, energy, and time. Primate safaris in Rwanda give you an opportunity to see the major primates in Rwanda which include Mountain Gorillas found in Volcanoes National Park, Golden monkeys found in Gishwati Mukura Forest National Park, and Volcanoes National Park and Chimpanzees found in Nyungwe Forest National Park, all the mentioned national parks are also home to various species of Monkeys and other primate species which can also be sighted during trekking in the Primate safaris are one of the safaris mostly booked by travelers visiting Rwanda and many have reviewed the experience as unforgettable, magical, life-changing and worth the money spent.
What you pay for a primate safari in Rwanda is an investment in yourself given the fact this gives you an opportunity to learn more about how the endangered primate species still surviving in Rwanda as this gives you a great travel and learning experience. The money paid also helps in the conservation of the primates and their natural habitats in Rwanda. If there was no primate tourism in Rwanda all the primate habitats in Rwanda would be all destroyed by now but with the existence of these primates in the forests which bring in foreign exchange when you visit and pay entrance fees this has encouraged the government of Rwanda through Rwanda Development Board to protect the homes of these primates which has in turn promoted environmental conservation in Rwanda, this also makes the money spent on the primate safari in Rwanda worth.
Money spent on your primate safari in Rwanda through your permit and park entrance fees also helps to benefit the local communities that leave near the forests where the primates are found this, in turn, encourages the local communities to conserve and protect these primates since their importance is known by the local communities through the percentage of the money they receive every year of the permit and park entrance fees paid by tourists who visit these primates in Rwanda National parks. This money goes directly through payment of the local communities who are on the leadership committees for conservation and indirectly through infrastructure and projects that help contribute to a better life of the local communities through the construction of schools, hospitals and practicing agriculture, this thus also makes the money spent on the primate safari in Rwanda.
The primate safaris in Rwanda are worth the money spent despite the high costs of trekking permits required to trek and see the primates, discomfort, and time spent during walking through the forests to find the primates. Primate watching in Rwanda is a thrilling experience, which has impressed some people to do it over and over again despite the high cost, energy, and time required to meet these gentle giants in their natural habitats, other travelers decide to pay for more than one permit and trek more than once on different days especially the Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park this makes the primate safaris in Rwanda worth the money spent.
What is the cost of a Primate Safari in Rwanda?
The cost of a primate safari in Rwanda depends on the type of primates you are interested in seeing, days to spend, and places where to see primates on your primate safari in Rwanda. The cost of a cohabitation permit is much higher for any primate safari in Rwanda along with other services such as transportation, accommodation, and guide services.
A gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 for a foreign non-resident and this permit gives you an opportunity to spend 1 hour's encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
A Chimpanzee trekking permit costs $90 for a foreign non-resident and this permit gives you an opportunity to spend 1 hour of encounter with the Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
In addition to the permit, you will also pay for other services to successfully walk with the primates in Rwanda, including transportation, accommodation, and guides.
Below are the popular Primate Safaris in Rwanda.
- 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
- 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Rwanda
- 5 Days Gorilla and Golden monkey Trekking Safari in Rwanda
- 11 Days Rwanda Primate Safari
Why primate safaris in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the finest destinations to visit and see primates in their natural habitats. Volcanoes National Park is ranked number one when it comes to the golden monkey and gorilla trekking in the whole world. Mountain gorillas are very used to human beings following the many years of habituation making Rwanda a top country for gorilla trekking, filming, and photography. Rwanda’s primate National Parks are easily accessed from Kigali International Airport since if is a 2–3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. The same parks of Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest National Park have some of the best luxury lodges in the region. This does not mean that budget and mid-ranger lodges don’t exist. Because of the above, most permits to see primates here in Rwanda tend to sell out quickly irrespective of the high prices. Please make sure that your contact Encounter Africa safaris to book your permits in advance at least 26 months in advance.
How to book a primate safari in Rwanda
You will need to have your permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for a primate safari in Rwanda. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email here so that we check for the availability of trekking permits online with the Rwanda Development Board once we confirm permits are available for your planned date we will notify you so that we can send you an invoice so you can pay for the license. After the payment has been made and we have received it in our account, we will immediately proceed with the purchase of your license and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for a primate safari in Rwanda. It is advised to book your permits in advance at least 2-3 months prior to your visit given the fact these sell out very quickly on a first come first serve basis.
Best time to see primates in Rwanda
The best time to see primates in Rwanda is during the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in the Forests, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the primates offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of March, April, May, and November which is normally a wet season in Rwanda make Tall vegetation makes it difficult to see, however, hiking is usually shorter during this time due to the fact that Primates do not go further in search of food available in the forest than during the dry season. Seeing primates in Rwanda is possible throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity and you have a 99% chance of seeing them in their natural habitats.
Why book your Primate safari in Rwanda with Encounter Africa Safaris
Founded in 3003, Encounter Africa safaris takes pride in customizing tailor-made primate safaris in Rwanda. Encounter Africa has a very diligent and reliable team. Our team of professional tour consultants answers within 20minutes your queries. These consultants will make you a travel plan for you, answer all your questions, and make sure all your services are booked in advance for you to avoid inconveniences and you will be able to feel the worth for the money you will spend on your primate safari in Rwanda. We also have very knowledgeable driver guides who are allocated to you based on your language preference. It all depends on your preference. Feel free to contact us here.
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