Steps to take to book a gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda

Steps to take when booking the gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda are preceded by booking the permits. The only guarantee of a Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee safari is booking gorilla and chimpanzee permits. 

To book Rwanda's gorilla and chimpanzee permits, you need dates and the number of permits. Note that gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda cannot be done in one day, yet you also need to plan transfer time from one destination to another.

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In Rwanda, gorilla trekking happens in Volcanoes National Park, and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.

Reserve accommodation to use earlier during the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda so that they do not sell out. During the peak Rwanda tourism season, accommodation facilities are typically scarce because of the high demand.

Book transport means to use during this Rwanda primate safari in advance so that all the necessary planning is done before starting the gorilla and chimpanzee safari.

Identify and book other Rwanda safari activities to combine with the gorilla and chimpanzee safari. This helps with planning and costing this adventure. The flow is necessary to avoid backtracking even when tailoring the itinerary to follow during this Rwanda primate safari.

How to Plan Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Step-by-step

Step1: book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda

Select dates when you wish to do the gorilla and chimpanzee safari; remember that each requires a day, and consider transfer time from one park to another. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in Volcanoes National Park, about 5 hours drive from Nyungwe National Park, home to chimpanzee trekking.

You may also state the starting and end dates for your gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda. Then, you can work with our consultants to find the possible dates for each activity within your timeline.

When you enquire from us, our tour consultant checks the availability of gorilla and chimpanzee permits from the list of the Rwanda Development Board.

Upon finding availability, the tour consultant gets back to you, but we advise clients to purchase their permits as soon as possible. This is to avoid losing them because a first come, first served basis is used when securing these permits. None of these Rwanda permits is booked without payment.

Forward us some personal details for identification, but ensure you provide the right information, as this should match your documents, too. Your full name as presented on the passport, nationality, date of birth, and passport expiry date.

How much is the cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit

At the moment, the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits is 

$1500 for international nonresidents

$500 for foreign residents

$250 for East Africans

The cost of Rwanda gorilla permits include park entrance fees on trekking day, security, mountain gorilla conservation, local community support, one hour with the mountain gorillas, certificate after gorilla trek, government tax, and others.

The Rwanda permit cost doesn't cover tips, porter hire, accommodations, and other personal expenses.

What is the cost of the Chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda?

The current cost of a Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit is:

$150 for foreign nonresidents 

$75 for international residents

$25 for East Africans

The cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit for Rwanda covers a range of guide fees, security, chimpanzee conservation, one hour with the chimpanzees, community support, and government tax.

Excluded from the cost of Rwanda gorilla permits are park entrance fees, porter hire, snacks, and any other personal expenses.

Step 2: Book accommodations to use during gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda

Both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris require attending briefings and have specific starting times, so you need accommodation in or out of these destinations.

Gorilla trekking happens once that is in the morning, starting with registering, verification of documents, and briefing. Rwanda gorilla trekking begins as early as 0700 hours, so you must be at the ranger station at least before. This can only be possible if you spend the night before the gorilla trek in Rwanda closer to or within Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park accommodations: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, Le Bambou, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel La Palme

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda has two sessions in the morning and afternoon, but you must report to the briefing point earlier at the Uwinka visitor center in Nyungwe National Park. You must spend your night closer to Nyungwe National Park to avoid inconvenience. 

Nyungwe National Park accommodations: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisaku Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, Gisaku Family Hostel 

During the peak season, the demand for accommodations in Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park is high, creating scarcity at the last minute. To be on the Rwanda safari safe side, book accommodation in advance.

Step 3: Plan and book Transport to be used during the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda

For road transport during the Rwanda primate safari, you need to secure a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition in advance. Hire the driver guide in advance so that he or she can plan upfront. Plan for the gas expenses to use during the gorilla and chimpanzee safari. The upcountry roads are messy and dusty sometimes, so you need a vehicle that can withstand the terrain of these destinations.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we can plan all these logistics for you so that you do not get a panic attack while planning and making clearances for this once-in-a-lifetime African safari. All you need to do is avail yourself for the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda and trust us to do the background work for you.

Charter transport services from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park or Nyungwe National Park are available, but advance booking is necessary for all necessary clearance to be done.

Step4: Identify other Rwanda safari activities to combine with gorilla and chimpanzee safari

Rwanda has several safari activities you may include in your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking itinerary.

Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park also hosts the golden monkeys in Rwanda. You must book the Golden Monkey trekking permit to enjoy this adventure, too. Golden monkeys are endangered, and they are living in the Virunga area.

In nature, these primates are charming and cannot spend much time without hopping from tree to tree, even though they are habituated to be before humans for at least an hour. Be ready to keep on your toes while you trek to be with the golden monkeys.

You need a golden monkey trekking permit from the Rwanda Development Board to enjoy this adventure. The Golden Monkey trekking permits are limited, so for peak tourism season bookings, you need to secure yours in advance.

Mountaineering in Uganda

Rwanda is a country of a thousand hills so you can engage in mountaineering excursions. Volcanoes National Park topography comprises five Virunga volcanoes: Mountain Arehinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Karisimbi Mountain, and Karisoke.

You can arrange mountaineering for a day while on a trip to Rwanda. While at the top of Sabyinyo mountain, you capture a simultaneous view of the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R.Congo. 

Game drives in Akagera National Park Rwanda

During a visit to Rwanda, you can go for game drives in Akagera National Park, where you may spot animals like zebras, herds of elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, cape buffaloes, rhinos, Uganda kobs, and so much more.

Akagera National Park is still recovering from the effects of the Rwanda genocide of 1994, where its wild animals were killed, and others fled to neighboring countries. 

The Rwanda government works closely with conservation bodies to restore the glory of Akagera National Park, and the results are excellent.

Rwandese Cultural Tour

While in Rwanda, having a moment to enjoy the cultures of the local people is amazing. You may get the opportunity to visit the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, a collection of the everyday life of the local people before modernization. It is in this institute that training traditional arts and crafts working with young children to preserve Rwandese culture.

Visit the art museum in Rwesero, where contemporary artwork of Rwandese creativity is displayed. This art museum is located in Nyanza. A sit to Nyakarambi, which is home to unique Rwandese art facts, is amazing. You may find the Imigingo ( cow dung painting), an activity unique to the Rwandese. 

Attending the Intore dance is like the cherry on top of it, but your advance booking is needed. The rhythmic sounds of the long drums accompanied by traditional folk songs are soothing, and you cannot remain in your seat but may be enticed to join.

Birding in Rwanda

Rwanda is gifted with an array of birds that live in its environments as the country hosts over 700 bird species, including Albertine rift endemics. You need a well-tailored birding itinerary so that you can have a chance to visit different Rwanda birding destinations.

Some of the birding destinations in Rwanda include Nyungwe Forest, Volcanoes Forest, Akagera National Park, and so much more.

On a Rwanda birding adventure, you may spot birds like Handsome Francolin, Shelley'sShelley's Crimsonwing, Red-throated Alethe, Archer'sArcher's Robin-Chat, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Turaco, yellow-eyed Black flycatcher, and others.

When can I Book the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee safari?

Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee safari are open any day of the year; however, the dry season, that is, June, July, August, September, December, and January, is the most sought-after. In this period, you must reserve the gorilla and chimpanzee permits in advance, as booking permits at the last minute may be challenging. Both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda are sold on a first-come, first-served basis since their supply is limited for conservation reasons.

Even accommodations to use during this primate adventure must be secured in time, as they sell out before season breaks. 

The low season, usually the wet season in Rwanda in March, April, May, and November, opens more chances for more personalized encounters with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This is because there are fewer people booking and less disturbance is experienced by other tourists. Sometimes, you may go solo on another gorilla or chimpanzee trekking adventure, and all attention is drawn toward you.

What are the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda?

• If 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 own 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 you need to defecate, 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 habituated to human presence. They still possess wild 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.

Are you interested in spending time with the mountain gorillas and Chimpanzees in Rwanda? Contact us to plan your safari today.