How To Trek Rwanda Gorillas And Chimpanzees On A Budget

To trek the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee safari on budget, you need to ensure the necessary permits are booked in advance. The only documents that confirm this primate safari in Rwanda are the permits which are issued by the Rwanda Development Board. The cost of the gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permit cuts across all safari packages.

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Gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda are done in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country. Volcanoes forest is one of the unspoiled forests still existing in the world and host a multitude of primates, birds and other species. For gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is currently hosting about 12 gorilla trekking families open to public booking. 

Chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda happens in Nyungwe National Park a pristine forest with its headquarters in Uwinka. At the moment two chimpanzee communities are open to the public in Nyungwe forest with another in Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the forest. Several other primates are residents of Nyumgwe forest. An array of birds spends time in Nyungwe forest.

Book budget accommodation and other relevant logistics to use during the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventure in Rwanda upfront to avoid panic at the last minute when options run out. Contact us for more information.

What Is Required For The Budget Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits

The Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permit is key in planning this budget Rwanda safari. It is best to reserve these primates permits upfront before they sell out especially in the high season when demand is at its highest. The Rwanda Development Board opens a maximum of 8 gorilla trekking permits per family to the public per day no matter the season and demand as a conservation measure.

The chimpanzee permits are also regulated to minimize the effects of mass tourism to the environment where these primates thrive. Rwanda has two chimpanzee trekking sessions per day that is morning and afternoon. It is safer to book the Rwanda gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits in advance at least 6 months a year.

During the gorilla or chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda, tourists attend briefings and have some patience when the search for these primates starts. The time of finding either primates is hard to determine because it is influenced by factors prevailing in the forest.

How much is the cost of gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda

At the moment, the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $500 for other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

The cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit is inclusive of park entrance fees, one hour with the mountain gorillas, gorilla conservation, and others. Note that Rwanda Development Board may discount the Rwanda gorilla permits to about $1050 per person in the low tourism season although it is not guaranteed.

The current cost of Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit is $150 for international nonresidents, $75 for Resident internationals and $25 for East Africans.

Reserve Accommodation To Use During The Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

At the Rwanda safari destinations, there are a number of accommodation options including budget facilities. Just like the permit, it is safer to book the accommodations to use during the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari.

During the high tourism season, the demand for accommodations to use during the gorilla and chimpanzee safari is over the top which necessitates earlier booking. Sometimes the options for these budget Rwanda safari accommodations run out especially for latecomers which may create some tension.

• Budget accommodation at Volcanoes National Park Kinigi Guest House, Hotel Muhavura, Gorilla Nest
• Budget accommodations at Nyungwe National Park Nyungwe House, Gisaku Family Hostel

The cost of budget accommodations on Rwanda Safari varies with inclusions in the price package. The majority of accommodations budget Rwanda safari accommodation offer bed and breakfast, Half board or Bed only services. It is better to pack some cash to use for uncovered expenses of the Rwanda safari. On average the budget accommodation cost in Rwanda may range from $70 and over

Note that most Budget accommodations to use on the Rwanda safari have shared facilities like toilets and bathrooms. Contact us for more information.

Reserve Transport To Use On Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Tour

Road transport is the main means used to get to Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park but it is safer and comfortable to use a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition. The roads in the countryside sometimes get messy especially during the rainy season.

Booking the necessary transport means for this Rwanda safari saves you the trouble of having to move uncomfortably on bumpy and slippery roads. Being in the company of a knowledgeable and professional driver guide is another fun moment worth cherishing.

Charter flight services are available from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park or Nyungwe National Park however all necessary clearing has to be done upfront.

Do Some Exercises In Preparation For The Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Tour In Rwanda

The terrain of the Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park is generally rugged because of volcanic actions that affected Rwanda as a country. During the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventure tourists may have to hike to where the gorillas or chimpanzees may have spent the day which is quite stressful. 

Carry some hard cash to use for hiring a porter to help with lifting your gorilla or chimpanzee trekking safari gears in order not to drag the rest behind. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker in order not to forget anyone in the forest.

Book Other Rwanda safari activities

Rwanda has a number of other safari activities you may choose to combine with the gorilla and chimpanzee including game safaris, birding in Rwanda, cultural experience on Rwanda safari and others. Our tour consultants are available to work with you to tailor an itinerary that suits your budget and interests. Get in touch with the team.

Join A Group Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Share your Rwanda safari expenses by joining a group to do a gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour on a budget. There are scheduled group safaris in Rwanda that you can choose to join but note that they normally have a fixed program, starts and ends on specific dates. There is a number of people that are expected to be booked on this safari to consider a group tour.

When you join the group Rwanda Safari, expect to share this tour with other strangers.

When Is The Best Time To Book A Budget Gorilla And Chimpanzee Safari In Rwanda

The best time to book the budget Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour is any time of the year but the dry season stands out. The dry season in Rwanda is normally June to early October and December to mid-January when the country generally receives higher temperatures.

Nyungwe forest and Bwindi forest which are tropical rain forests usually receive untimely rains which leaves them moist most of the time. There is normally less sunray penetration through the dense canopy to the ground so expect the trails to remain soggy and slippery most of the time.

During the dry season, even the dense network of rivers flows within the normal course which makes it faster to explore the forest.  The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees tend to spend more time closer to the ground as there is food scarcity in the forest.

More tourists normally book the Rwanda safaris in the dry season, which serves as the peak tourism season in Rwanda so it is best to reserve all necessary items that are required during the gorilla and chimpanzee safari in advance.

The wet season in Rwanda which is normally March to May and November shouldn’t stop you from planning the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour. No matter the season you choose to travel for the Rwanda safari, be assured of finding the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. These primates are first habituated to human presence and often monitored to estimate their possible hangout spot.

Sometimes the Rwanda Development Board discounted the Rwanda gorilla trekking permits in the low season a chance that one traveling on a budget can take advantage of. Even some service providers tend to discount their costs in the low season to break even an opportunity you can take advantage of in case you have a low budget.

How Easy Or Difficult Is Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda is quite challenging because of the nature of the terrain of these parks which was affected by serious volcanic activities. Sometimes you may be required to hike to where these primates may be spending the day especially on the slopes or deep in the valleys

In the dry season, there is more sunlight that penetrates through the dense canopy reducing the amount of water on the trails enabling faster movement as you traverse the forest. The ridges, plateaus and trees are draped by creepers which may obstruct the way but the ranger carrying a machete uses it to trim the way.

In general, both Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris tend to get challenging because of the nature of the topography of Rwanda but finding these primates normally overshadows this feel and turns it into a gorgeous moment.

How Much Is The Cost Of The Rwanda Budget Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

The cost of the budget gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour in Rwanda varies with factors like number of days to spend on safari, people traveling with season of travel and others. Our team of Safari consultants are available to tailor a Rwanda safari itinerary with gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tours including other possible tour activities of your choice.

The cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits is the universal cost that is $ 1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents and Other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

Other costs that support the Rwanda safaris are also considered including accommodation, transport, driver guide fees to mention but a few.

In case of the Rwanda game safari as an added activity, every tourist is expected to pay park entrance fees which are according to the Rwanda Development Board price list.

How To Behave During A Rwanda Gorilla And Chimpanzee Safari

• In case you are sick with a communicable 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 while before the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, do it in at least 200 meters away from them. They are wild animals that must search for their own food.
• The age limit for gorilla safari is 15 years and beyond and 12 years and over for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda.  This is because the way to locate the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees has rugged topography which requires you to hike sometimes in order 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 you need to defecate, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you 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 that even though habituated to human presence. They still possess wild behaviors
• When taking photos, do it with a flash-less camera in order not to scare the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, they are often scared by unfamiliar occurrences in their presence.
• When tracking the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, keep your voices low so as not to scare these primates and others forest dwellers that may be interesting to add on 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 our team for more information.