Best offer for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

The best offer for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda starts with acquiring the gorilla and chimpanzee permits in advance, especially if you hope to use the high season for this Africa safari adventure. The Rwanda Development Board is mandated to sell and regulate the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee permits.

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To get the best gorilla and chimpanzee offers for Rwanda, you may consider the time you booked this safari, several people traveling, the interests you would get from this adventure, and much more.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda happens in Volcanoes National Park, the only home to the mountain gorillas in this country. At the moment, about 15 gorilla families are residents of Volcanoes National Park. Some gorilla families include Hirwa, Agashya, Umubano, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, and Susa. While in Volcanoes National Park, you can do golden monkey trekking, too.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda happens in Nyungwe National Park. This pristine forest hosts a chimpanzee community and another in Cyamudondo on the periphery of Nyungwe National Park. While in this park, you may get a chance to participate in the canopy walk on the 160-meter-high suspension bridge.

During the peak season, which is June to September and December to January, demand for gorilla and chimpanzee permits is high, creating scarcity as the season opens. It is hard to find last-minute Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee permits in the high season because they sell out in advance.

According to the Rwanda Development Board, during the low season, which is March, April, May, and November, you may get discounts on gorilla permits if you spend at least two nights in Nyungwe National Park or Akagera National Park. The normal cost of a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 but is discounted to $1050 during the low season. Terms and conditions apply.

During the low season, chances of getting discounts from other service providers like accommodations, vehicle hire, and driver guides are more possible as they try to break even. If your budget is limited, yet you wish to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, you may try your luck this season.

When is the best time to book the Rwanda Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari?

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda are open year-round, but the dry season is most preferred. The dry season is usually the peak tourist season, which is June to September and December to January.

In the high Rwanda tourism season, demand for gorilla permits is high, and finding availability at the last minute is hard. It is best to book the Rwanda gorilla permit for the high season at least six months to a year in advance. This saves you from the hassle of looking for gorilla or chimpanzee permit availability when they sell out.

The general environment of these tropical rainforests is drier as more sunlight is let into the ground through the dense forest canopy. Creating an excellent environment in which to take photos of the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and other features in the forest. The dense network of rivers is more controlled within the river course, so there is no flooding, making the trails more passable.

It is best to book accommodation during the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda as options run out as the season breaks in because of the high demand.

The rainy season in Rwanda normally attracts fewer gorilla and chimpanzee safari bookings. Since mountain gorillas and chimpanzees can be seen any time of the year, for you who want exclusivity during this primate safari, you can grab the opportunity of the low season without spending the extra money to close off the gorilla family.

If you need no obstruction from other tourists while searching and when with the mountain gorillas, the low season may have perfect timing. This season, the chances of going solo in the wilderness to search for the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are more open.

How much is the cost of a gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda?

The current cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permits is $1500 per person per trek for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents of Rwanda, and $250 for East Africans.

• Inclusions and exclusions of the gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda

Park entrance fees, one hour with the mountain gorillas, mountain gorilla conservation, security, certificate, local community support, and others.

Exclusions in the Rwanda Gorilla Permit Cost

Accommodation, transport, snacks, porter hire, and any other items of personal expenditure.

How much is the cost of a Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit?

Currently, the Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit costs $150 per person for international nonresidents, $75 for international residents, and $25 for East Africans.

• The cost of chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda includes security, ranger guide fee, chimpanzee conservation support, one hour with the chimpanzees, and community support.

Exclusions in the Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit cost:

Park entrance fees, accommodation, tips, porter hire, and other personal expenses.

What is the cost of a gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda?

The cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari of Rwanda starts with securing the permits as presented above. 

Other costs that make up the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari packages of Rwanda are based on the number of people, time of booking this primate safari, number of days to spend on safari, additional activities to combine with gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda, and others.

Is the cost of the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee safari worth the money?

Taking the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour in Rwanda gives you a chance to be just a few meters from the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world. Chimpanzees worldwide are kept in cages and zoos, but in Nyungwe National Park, you get to be with them in their natural home.

This primate safari to Rwanda is a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth every penny you spend.

Purchasing the gorilla and chimpanzee permits for Rwanda is one way to support the conservation of these primates. Protecting their environment is essential; to do this, the local community needs to get involved through sensitization. It is from the money collected after selling the gorilla and chimpanzee permits that such community activities happen.

Going on a gorilla and chimpanzee safari is also a noble safari as you get to contribute to the survival of the endangered primates in the world.

How safe is gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?

The gorilla and chimpanzee safari destinations of Rwanda are safe for a visit. They are under the watchful eye of the Rwanda Development Board Ranger guides, who are well-trained for this job. Before tourists can go gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, the ranger guides patrol the forests first to ensure they are safe for tourists.

Briefing before gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is compulsory to go through the guidelines of these activities so as not to scare the very sensitive primates.

As an individual, you are advised not to walk into the forest searching for chimpanzees or mountain gorillas because you put yourself in danger of encountering unhabituated forest dwellers.

How dangerous are the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda? 

The mountain gorilla families or chimpanzee communities are first habituated until proven ready for public visits.

In nature, mountain gorillas are shy and serene despite their intimidating outlook. This, however, doesn’t mean you provoke them when you meet them. Stay within the guidelines of the gorilla safaris since you have limited time allowed with the mountain gorillas.

Chimpanzees, too, have mood swings, like humans, with a DNA of about 98%. These primates, although habituated, can charge when agitated.

When mountain gorillas charge, they thump their chests hard, pull grass around them, and much more drama. The chimpanzees may throw fruits, hoot-beat tree trunks, and much more drama.

Upon witnessing these odd traits, it is best to stay calm and not panic, as this may throw the forest into a stampede. Wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter. Sometimes, the animals are trying to mess with you, or there is an attack from others or one of you has offended them.

The ranger guides know how to deal with the situation but follow the advice they give so as not to cause more trouble with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. 

How long is gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?

When you start the gorilla or chimpanzee trekking adventure, you may take about 2 hours or more to find these primates, depending on the factors prevailing in the forest. Tourists on safari are advised to have patience before finding these primates. The forest has a lot to look out for, so try to keep your mind busy and not focus on just searching for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

Nyungwe and the volcanic forests have other primates like the olive baboons, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus, and others. Look out for the birds that love feeding on the freebies of the forest, including Albertine rift endemics.

Upon finding the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons.

What is the age Limit for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?

15 years and over is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. This is because of the nature of the topography of Volcanoes National Park, which is influenced by the volcanic action in this area. Five volcanoes may up this park: Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Karisimbi, and Mountain Sabyinyo. Sometimes mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes of these highlands, yet children below this age may find it challenging.

15 years and over is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park. The way to the chimpanzees may be challenging but not as steep as in Volcanoes National Park. Children ages 15 and above may make their way to the chimpanzees.

Before traveling for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with children, take them through what they are to expect on this adventure so that they are not shocked while on the ground. The animals in the zoos may be more composed than those in the wilderness.

What are the rules for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?

• In case you are sick with a contagious infection, volunteer to stay behind so as not to pass it to the endangered mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
• If you want to eat or drink before the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, do it at least 250 meters away from them. They are wild animals that must search for their food.
• The age limit for gorilla safari is 15 years and beyond, and 15 years and over is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. This is because the way to locate mountain gorillas or chimpanzees has rugged topography, which sometimes requires you to hike to find these primates.
• Never go into the forest without an escorting ranger guide. Although the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees are fully habituated to human presence, some forest dwellers are not and may be dangerous to you alone.
• When defecating, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole at least 30 centimeters deep and cover well beyond recognition.
• Try to stay in a tight group when with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees because surrounding them may cause them to feel ambushed.
• Don’t attempt to provoke the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees because they are wild animals, even though they are habituated to human presence. They still possess agitated behaviors. 
• When taking photos, do it with a flash-less camera to not scare the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees; they are often frightened by unfamiliar occurrences in their presence.
• When tracking the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, keep your voice low so as not to scare these primates and other forest dwellers. That may be interesting to add to your wildlife photo collection.
• Never dump garbage in the wilderness, as this alters the nature of the forest where mountain gorillas or chimpanzees live.

Contact us to plan for you the best gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda.