Best Off Season Primate Experiences In Rwanda

The best off-season primate experiences in Rwanda are gorilla safaris, chimpanzee trekking and golden monkey safaris. Rwanda is open for primate safaris all year round with no exceptions. Even though the primates of Rwanda are residents of tropical rain forests that receive untimely rain, this doesn’t stop any primate safari and be sure to find them too.

Most Popular Safaris

2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali

4 Day Rwanda gorilla trekking & wildlife viewing safari

5 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safari

4 day gorilla trekking & Dian Fossey tomb visit

4 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

14 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

3 Day Akagera National Park Safari

3 Day Bwindi Double trek via Kigali

Rwanda is one of the smallest African countries with a size of about 26338 square kilometers and with a topography that is generally hilly. This is the reason why it is called the land of a thousand hills. Even with this nature of terrain, Rwanda is one of the top primates destinations in Africa hosting some of the big size that is mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and others.

For any Rwanda primates experience, every tourist is expected to have a permit from the Rwanda Development Board. The number of primate permits per day is minimized to reduce on the chances of overcrowding the forests which are there sanctuaries and main food sources.

During the off-shoulder season that is March, April, May and November, Rwanda receives generally less numbers of tourists but the primate activities still go on. Note that the ground where primate safari in Rwanda happens is normally boggy and soggy from the regular rains that fall with less sunray penetration through the dense canopy. Get in touch with us for more information.

Where to do Primate safaris in Rwanda during the Off Season

Volcanoes National Park  For Gorilla Trekking

Volcanoes National Park is a pristine forest of Rwanda situated in the northwestern part of the country. It is part of the Virunga area and a host to some of the endangered mountain gorillas. It is in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda that the plight of the mountain gorillas was born as they were at the brim of extinction.

An American philanthropist Dian Fossey through her research at Karisoke became the mountain piece of the voiceless mountain gorillas whose numbers were estimated to be about 250 according to the then population census. The world joined her fight to save the mountain gorillas but her life was cut short by unknown assassinators in 1985 but her work still goes on.

Gorilla trekking is the highlight of safaris in Volcanoes National Park and so far about 12 gorilla families are open for public viewing in Rwanda. Some of the Rwanda gorilla trekking families include Karisimbi, Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, Hirwa, Muhoza and others.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts with briefing from the ORTPN then tourists are located gorilla families to trek. Later in the company of an escorting guide, tourists follow the trails leading to where the mountain gorillas were last seen.

Note that the gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park is quite challenging because of the steep nature of the terrain influenced by the existence of the 5 Virunga Volcanoes. The five Virunga Volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park include Mountain Gahinga, Bisoke, Muhavura, Sabyinyo and Karisimbi.

Even though the time of finding the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is not known, upon locating them only one hour is allowed with them. This is to enable the mountain gorillas to carry on with their day activities and not be a source of disruption.

Volcanoes National Park For Golden monkey Trekking

For a golden monkey trekking experience, Volcanoes National Park is the place to enjoy this adventure in Rwanda. The golden monkeys are a special monkey species with a larger physical body structure compared to other monkeys. They bear golden brown hairs on the lower bottom. Even though the golden monkeys are habituated, they never rest a character within their DNA.

Get ready to stay on your toes as you trek the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park an activity that is engaging. Other than the golden monkeys, there are other primates you may get chance to spot in Volcanoes National Park that is black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, lhoest’s to mention but a few.

Over 200 bird species including those on the IUCN red list and Albertine rift endemics are present in Volcanoes National Park. Some of the birds of Volcanoes National Park include Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and others.

Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee Trekking

Nyungwe National Park and Cyamudondo on the outskirts are chimpanzee trekking spots for Rwanda. Nyungwe National Park is in the southeast of Lake Kivu in Rwanda. The main headquarters of Nyungwe National Park is in Uwinka.

Two chimpanzee trekking sessions happen each day in Nyungwe National Park which is morning and afternoon. After briefing at the ranger station, tourists follow the trails constructed by regular visitors some include Igishigishigi, Usamo and others. Along the way, you may spot other forest dwellers such as blue monkeys, Dent Mona monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons to mention but a few.

A plethora of birds has been recorded as residents of Nyungwe National Park with over 275 bird species including Blue headed sunbirds, purple-breasted sunbirds, Yellow black flycatchers, Red faced woodland warbler, Regal sunbirds, Mountain masked Apalises, Dusky Crimsonwing, Handsome spurfowl  and others

Nyungwe National Park has several stunning features including the sparkling Usamo Falls and others.

The famous canopy walk in Rwanda is over Nyungwe National Park, enjoy the view of Nyungwe forest from an elevated point as you walk on a 160 meters long suspension bridge and about 70 meters high. This is the so far the only one of its kind in East Africa. This adventure is not for the faint-hearted and those afraid of heights.

How much is the cost of primate safari permits in Rwanda

At the moment the cost if a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents and Other African,s and $200 for East Africans. The maximum number of gorilla trekking permits for Rwanda open to the public is 8 per gorilla family.

The Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit cost at the moment is $250 for international nonresidents, $75 for foreign residents and $25 for East Africans. The number of chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda is minimized for conservation reasons.

Golden Monkey trekking permit costs in Rwanda at the moment are $100 for international nonresidents, $65 or international residents and 4000 RWF for citizens of Rwanda.

To avoid inconveniences, it is best to book the Rwanda primates permit that is gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking permits in advance. This is because their status may change anytime even during the low season their supply is limited for conservation reasons.

Note During the off-season, the Rwanda Development Board may discount the cost of the Rwanda Gorilla trekking permits to $1050 terms and conditions apply. This is however not a guarantee all the time so you need to first verify.

Is The cost of the Rwanda Primate Safari Permits Worth The Money and Time

Rwanda is a pro-eco tourism country and this move needs support to sustain it. When you take a Rwanda safari, whether during the low season or peak season, this is one way of supporting this noble cause.

The mountain gorillas of Rwanda are among the endangered primates in the world and these only live in two other countries that is Uganda and D.R.Congo. The number of primate permits open to the public is limited yet demand for primate Rwanda safaris is high which may leave many out who desire to be part of this adventure. Going on a Rwanda primates safari is a tour of luck.

More funds are required to support the conservation of the vulnerable primates of Rwanda and by engaging in gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking safaris, you support it.

The whistle of the mountain gorillas was blown by an individual and so you can also take your turn to post about these primates in order to let the world know about them and what needs to be done to support their existence.

In the world over few natural destinations are left where wildlife thrives and the national Parks of Rwanda are some of those few left. Get the chance to immerse into the aromas of the untouched wilderness where animals have no rules.

Get the chance to spend time with the primates of Rwanda and get your dream turned into a reality. Many have watched the primates in movies, animations and seems to appear as friction. Change the narrative about these primates by taking the Rwanda primate's safari

During the off-season, chances of finding discounts on Rwanda safaris are high as the service providers try to break even. In case a visit to Rwanda is on the bucket list, you can write it off as done by taking a Rwanda primates safari at a more discounted cost in the low season.

Contact us for more information.

How safe is Rwanda For Primate Safaris in The low Season

Rwanda is a safe destination to visit to be specifically the primate's safari sanctuaries. The Rwanda Development Board has well-trained and experienced ranger guides who dedicate their lives to save the wildlife parks in the country. They do joint security operations with other agencies in Rwanda to keep law and order. The security teams of each wildlife destination in Rwanda often do untimely patrols in and around these parks.

There are guidelines set by the Rwanda Development Board that every tourist is expected to abide by during the primates safari. before starting the search to find these primates in Rwanda, all tourists are expected to gather for a briefing where rangers and wardens take you through what to do and not to do while before and after the safari. This move is aimed at providing your safety and those of the primates plus other forest dwellers

Security starts with you so mind the safety of your belongings by not moving around with your valuables.

Never move into the forest without an escorting ranger guide because you may encounter some of the dangerous forest dwellers with no emergency protection weapon. The forest is vast so getting lost may be possible yet there is no way to communicate to those on ground because of poor or no network.

When you observe something odd about the primates, do not panic but stay calm and wait for the ranger guide to establish the cause of the matter and then show you what to do next. Sometimes to control the situation, you may need to pretend to eat some foliage as a way to try to curb the situation.

What to Pack for Rwanda Primates safari in the Off Season

• A back pack to keep in your safari gears just in case you have to also hand them to a porter.
• Garden gloves to protect your palms from touching stinging nettles and other rough surfaces.
• A pair of Binoculars to bring a closer view of far ranging objects.
• Sunscreen to smear your entire body and protect your skin from sun rays
• A foldable hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves
• Extra fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one runs low.
• Energy bites to munch on while on a walk in Primate National Park. Breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time.
• A fleece or sweater because it gets cold during the morning and late evenings.
• Travel an adapter and charger in case you need then for your electronic equipment
• A torch to use in the nights when lights go out.
• Rain coat in case it rains during gorilla, golden monkeys and chimpanzee tour experience
• Comfortable shoes to use when searching in the jungle and for the safety of your feet while in the wilderness. 
• Sun glasses to use for protecting your eyes from dripping water of the leaves and buzzing insects
• Medicated Insect repellant for covering your skin from stinging insects
• Bug spray to use in case bugs invade you
• Safari convertible trousers and shirt for protecting your body against rough jungle surfaces like biting nettles.
• The camera to use when taking photos of the gorilla safari  and others moments of your experience in primates National Park and other activities you combine with.
•  First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it.

Get in touch with our team for more information.