How long do stay with chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest Rwanda.

The timing to stay with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest in Rwanda is approximately 1 hour. This one hour includes approach and observation of the chimpanzees, habituation and interaction, taking pictures and recording the chimpanzee trekking moments, departure and leaving the chimpanzees. This one hour limit helps prevent habituation, disruption of natural behaviors stress and potential aggression, ensuring a safe and enjoyable safari experience for both you and the chimpanzees.

Most Popular Safaris

4 Days Gorillas and Golden Monkey Safari

2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

5 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

5 Day off season Gorilla and Chimp Safari

5 Day Gorilla and Chimp Tracking Safari

16 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safari

5 Day Gorilla & Chimp Tracking Safari

5 Day Low season Uganda Gorilla & Chimp Safari

5 Day Uganda Gorillas & Game Safari via Kigali

5 Day Gorilla Habituation & Chimps

About Nyungwe Forest Rwanda.

In Nyungwe forest, Rwanda you can stay with the chimpanzees for a maximum of 1 hour. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has established this guideline to minimize disturbance to the chimpanzees and their habitat. Remember to follow guidelines and instructions from your guides to ensure a safe and enjoyable safari experience for both you and the chimpanzees. Nyungwe forest is home to two habituated chimpanzee groups that is the Cyamudongo and Uwinka groups. There is a daily limit on the number of trekking permits for each group.

Nyungwe forest is a tropical rainforest located in southwestern Rwanda, covering an area of approximately 1020 square kilometers. It’s located in the Albertine Rift Valley in the districts of Ngamagabe, Nyamasheke and Rusizi. Nyungwe forest is a unique and breathtaking safari destination, offering a blend of natural beauty, wildlife and cultural experience. Nyungwe forest is known for its exceptional biodiversity apart from the chimpanzees, the forest hosts other primate species like Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Mona monkeys, Blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and among others as well as animal species like serval, leopards though rarely spotted, bushbucks, duikers, bush pigs and among many others. The forest is also harbors various bird species like Ruwenzori Apalis, Rd-collared Mountain Babbler, Kivu Ground Thrush, Regal Sunbird, Rockfeller’s sunbirds, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, and various species of hornbills, turacos, bee-eaters and among many others. Nyungwe forest’s unique biodiversity is due to its location in the Albertine Rift, where the different ecosystems converge, creating a rich and varied environment.

Some of the unique information about the chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest Rwanda;

Largest habituated chimpanzee group, Nyungwe forest is home to the largest habituated chimpanzee group in Africa, with over 100 members.

High success rate, Nyungwe forest has a high success rate for the chimpanzee sightings with over 90% of treks resulting in the encounters.

Unique ‘’chimpanzee only’’ trek, unlike other safari destinations, Nyungwe forest offers a ‘’chimpanzee only’’ trek focusing solely on these amazing creatures.

Supports conservation efforts, chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest directly supports conservation initiatives, protecting the forest and its inhabitants.

Unparalleled biodiversity, Nyungwe forest is a biodiversity hotspot with over 1000 plant species, over 310 bird species and 85 mammal species.

Scenic and varied terrain, treks take you through diverse landscapes, including lush forests, grasslands, and scenic valleys.

Opportunities for other activities, combine chimpanzee trekking with other safari activities like birdwatching, canopy walks, and cultural tours among many others.

Responsible tourism practices, Nyungwe Forest promotes responsible tourism, ensuring minimal impact on the environment and the local communities.

Contribution to local communities, a portion of trekking fees supports local communities promoting economic development and conservation awareness. Embrace this one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet chimpanzees in their natural habitat while supporting conservation and local communities.

Why Nyungwe Forest Rwanda has a diverse number of chimpanzees.

This article brings you some factors that make Nyungwe forest to be known for its diverse number of chimpanzees. These factors combined create an ideal environment for chimpanzees to thrive in Nyungwe forest.

Intact habitat, Nyungwe forest is a vast, undisturbed area, providing a sustainable environment for chimpanzees to live and thrive.

Biodiversity hotspot, the forest is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species thus ensuring a constant food supply and sustainable habitat for the chimpanzees.

Geographic location, Nyungwe forest’s location in the Albertine Rift, with its unique geography and climate, creates a favorable environment for the chimpanzees.

In evolutionary history, the forest’s chimpanzees have evolved, developing adaptations to their environment and ensuring their survival.

Lack of human disturbance, Historically, Nyungwe forest has limited human impact, allowing chimpanzees to maintain their natural behavior and social structures.

Conservation efforts, Rwanda’s conservation initiatives have protected the forest and its inhabitants, contributing to the growth and stability of the chimpanzee population.

Genetic diversity, Nyungwe forests’ chimpanzees have a high genetic diversity, indicating a healthy and resilient population. These factors combined create an ideal environment for the chimpanzees to thrive in Nyungwe forest, resulting in a diverse and large population.

Where chimpanzee trekking is done in Nyungwe Forest.

The two groups of chimpanzees are habituated in Nyungwe forest, one group of chimpanzees is found in Uwinka and the other group is found at Cyamudongo garmented forest. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest depends on the exact group you are trekking at times, in the Cyamudongo forest if you are trekking the chimpanzees move far so you will need to put much effort into running behind them and following them. But mostly during the chimpanzee trekking safari, you will especially do it during the morning as you find them relaxed so the chances of the chimpanzee trekking can be perfect. This is where you will get the chance to see them one by one and get to understand them through observing their behaviors and their different characteristics from each other.

Depending on the park’s elevation it varies between 1600 meters to 2950 meters above the sea level and fitness is needed that will make your chimpanzee trekking wonderful.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest Rwanda.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest is the main safari activity done in the forest while following the different trails that lead you to a point where you are close to the chimpanzees in their natural environments. During the chimpanzee trekking, you will have the chance to observe the chimpanzees participating and carrying out their daily safari activities, like where they sleep, how they sleep, the various activities they do while starting a day. During the trekking you will get the chance to observe the way the chimpanzees feed, you will observe how the mother chimpanzees groom their young babies, you will identify who leads the chimpanzee group and among many others.

Chimpanzee trekking, the forest has approximately 500 chimpanzee individuals. Where the two troops have been habituated for chimpanzee trekking adventures in Nyungwe National Park. One troop is at the Nyungwe main forest and the second is found in Cyamudongo which is a small patch of the forest located in the eastern part of the Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking starts from mainly three reception centers and some of these centers include Uwinka (that’s the main center), Kitabi and also Gisakuru this is where all the tourists can meet the park ranger guides. During chimpanzee trekking, all the tourists that are going to do this safari activity are expected to be at their specific centers as early at 4:30 am and then by 5:00 am to be at the starting point. The habituated chimpanzee group in the main center of Nyungwe’s big with over 60 members though it’s hard to see these chimpanzees because of the rugged terrain. The other group Cyamudongo has a smaller number which is approximately about 30 chimpanzees and it offers the perfect sightings due to its small size. You will be briefed about the rules and regulations to follow during the chimpanzee trekking, after the briefing you will explore different biodiversity along the way during the chimpanzee trekking in the forest.

Once you spot the chimpanzees you will spend one hour with the chimpanzees and also get the chance to observe the chimpanzees very close to the nature in Nyungwe National Park. You will get the chance to discover these attractive creatures and among many others.

How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest Rwanda.

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest can be booked through Rwanda Development Board (RDC) where you will contact the park headquarters in Kigali through email or phone call and on the other way you can also get the chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe forest through booking a permit with us where you will contact us with the date you want to do chimpanzee trekking safari, the month and the year. After contacting us we will check for the permit availability on your behalf and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be requested to make deposit for the permit. Once you make the payment, we will purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.

How much is chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe forest?

The chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe forest Rwanda, is a legal document that allows visitors to participate in the chimpanzee trekking activity with detailed descriptions that is;

Issuing Authority, Rwanda Development Board (RDB)

Validity: One day (single entry)

Activity: Chimpanzee trekking.

Location: Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Purpose: to observe and learn about the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Permit requirements.

Age: Minimum 15 years old and above.

Physical conditions: Moderate to high physical fitness.

Health: Good health and free contagious disease.

Guided tour: Mandatory guided tour with certified guides and trackers.

Permit cancellation policy.

No refund for the permit cancellation.

Rescheduling is permitted with prior notice (subject to availability).

Please note that the permit cost and details are subject to change, so it’s essential to check with the Rwanda Development Board or a trusted tour operator that is through contacting us on the website of our senior tour consultants for the most up-to-date information.

The cost of chimpanzee trekking safari permits in Nyungwe forest Rwanda is 150 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 75 USD for foreign residents and 25 USD per person for East African citizens.

Where to stay during chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe forest.

On a safari to Rwanda during chimpanzee trekking, mirroring the forest’s natural beauty, Nyungwe forest offers various accommodations from budget, mid-range and luxury. And some the of these accommodation facilities include Uwinka Eco-Lodge, Nyungwe Eco-Lodge, Nyungwe Forest Camp, Gisakura Campsite, Nyungwe Nziza Eco-lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, One and Only Nyungwe House, Gisakura Visitor Centre, Rusizi Progress Hotel, Uwinka Campsite E.R.A, Gisakura Visitor Guest house and among others.

How to get to Nyungwe Forest Rwanda,

Nyungwe Forest Rwanda being located in the southwestern of Rwanda can be reached in two different two that is road transport and air transport.

Road transport, using road transport you will drive from Kigali through Muhanga, Nyanza, Huye Town and then to the park headquarters which takes you about 5 to 6 hours drive

Air transport, another option and the easiest way to reach Nyungwe forest is through air transport this is where you will book a domestic flight with RwandAir from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe airport and then connect to the park headquarters by the road, where your safari guide will pick you.

Also while using air transport means, tourists can also book charter helicopter flights with Akagera Aviation from Kigali airport to One and Only Nyungwe House.

What to pack for chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe Forest National.

On a chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park there are a number of essential items that you should pack or carry with you when going on trekking in the forest. Packing for a chimpanzee trekking safari Nyungwe forest Rwanda requires careful consideration to ensure a safe and enjoyable safari experience and these include,

Comfortable hiking boots/shoes, Long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect you from thorns and insects. Wear a waterproof jacket or poncho. Hats and gloves Backpack or day pack, Water bottle or hydration pack, Snacks (energy-rich and easy to carry), Sunscreen and insect repellent, Binoculars for birdwatching and chimpanzee observing, Camera with charger and extra batteries. Waterproof bag or cover (for camera and other essentials) and among many others. Remember to check with your tour operator or guide for the specific requirements and recommendations. Packing smart and being prepared will enhance your chimpanzee trekking safari experience in Nyungwe forest.

Contact our team for more information.