What is it like to trek mountain gorillas and chimps in Rwanda

The combination of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda takes you to see some of the largest and highly endangered primates in Africa. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda happens in Volcanoes National park while Nyungwe National Park is the only home to the chimpanzees.

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Reserving the both Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits in advance is recommended. The number of gorilla and chimpanzee permits of Rwanda is restricted as a measure used to minimize chances of mass tourism in the wilderness.

The nature of the topography of Rwanda is quite generally mountainous and so are Volcanoes  forest or Nyungwe forest.  Expect to hike steep slopes where the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees may stage there days’ feeding location. Having some level of fitness gets you to the spot where these primates may be.

To go gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking, is required to be in good health with in communicable infections such as covid-19, cough, flu and more. Such infections may be passed to the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees which may end in their massive death. So far the conservation of both gorillas and chimpanzees has registered great success.

Expect the trek to find either the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees to be in a humid environment because of the dense canopy that allows less sunlight to penetrate to the ground. Along the trails in Volcanoes forest or Nyungwe forests is undergrowth that sometimes falls over to obstruct the way.

Requirements For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

Book chimpanzee and gorilla permit

The only confirmation to attending either the gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda is reserving the permit. What is unfortunate is the number of gorilla and chimpanzee permits is restricted to minimize on the possible pressure on the environment and these highly sensitive primates.

It is best to book the gorilla and chimpanzee permits in Rwanda in prior to avoid last minute disappointments. Gorilla and chimpanzee safaris are a dream come true African safari tour to most adventure seekers. Contact us for more information.

What is the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit

• $1500 for international nonresidents
• $500 for international residents
• $200 for East Africans

Inclusions in the cost pf the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit are one hours with the gorillas, park fees, ranger guide fees, security and others.

What is the cost of Chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda

• $150 for foreign nonresidents
• $75 for foreign residents
• $25 for east Africans.

Inclusions in the cost of Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit are one hour with the chimpanzees, ranger guide fees, security and other. Note that you must pay park entrance fees

Reserve transport to the gorilla and chimpanzee safari destinations

Road transport is the main means to get to the gorilla and chimpanzee safari destinations in Rwanda. The drive time from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours and to Nyungwe National Park is about 5 to 6 hours driving on winding roads. A 4x4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended to overcome the challenges of the countryside roads.

Charter flight services from Kigali international Airport to either Nyungwe forest or Volcanoes forest can be arranged where necessary. Do not forget to hire a transfer vehicle to your lodge.

Book accommodation to the gorilla and chimpanzee safari destinations

Reserve accommodation to use during the gorilla or chimpanzee safari days in Rwanda. Accommodations types available in Rwanda include Luxury, mid-range and basic. Since both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking start early morning, it is best to stay at a facility within or closer to the park to enable you get to the briefing point in time.

Volcanoes National park accommodations include: Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, mountain Gorilla View Lodge Kinigi guest house, Hotel Lebambou, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge and more.

Nyungwe national Park Accommodations include: Nyungwe Safari Lodge, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge, Virunga Inn Resort

Do medical check up before gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda

Gorillas and chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human infections especially communicable infections like covid-19, cough, flu and more. In case you have a chronical illness, you need to request for a medical advise from your doctor before travelling to do both gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda.

In case you are positive with a communicable illness, as a guideline, you are requested to volunteer and stay behind so that you do not get to pass the germs to these vulnerable primates.

Pack the right gears for the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari

Have a guiding list when packing for gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda. Both Rwanda safaris happen in the jungle and so you need attires that blend with the jungle and withstand the rough environment you have to go through.

Some of the notable safari gears that must not miss on this Rwanda safari packing list include safari waterproof boots, rain proof gears, warmers, energy bites, insect repellents and more. Do not forget some hard cash to use for on ground purchases and more.

Keep body fitness before the gorilla or chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda

Keeping fit before the gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda enables you to maneuver the possible challenges especially with the terrain which is jagged. At times the gorillas or chimpanzees in Rwanda spend the day on the slopes or deep in the valley so you must hike to get to them.

You can hire a porter to assist with carrying your backpack that can slow you while trekking to find the mountain gorillas.

What Happens On The Day Of Gorilla Or Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

• Tourists report to the ranger station for briefing carrying packed Lunch and other gorilla or chimpanzee safari gears. Most tourists carry their packed lunch because time of returning from the gorilla or chimpanzee trek may be after lunch. Expect to find other trekkers at the ranger station.
• Present necessary gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits and other important personal documents for verification.
• Attend briefing from the ranger guide who communicate the most recent information about the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees beyond the information in the spotlight. Later, every tourists is allocated a gorilla or chimpanzee troop using a criteria that is best known by ranger guides or wardens.
• Together with other tourists led by the ranger guides and a tourism police officer with a rifle, tourists explore the forest in search of the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Even though the ground is normally wet because these are rainforests with a dense canopy, you can make your way through the jungle.
• Along the way, you may encounter other primates, forest elephants, an array of birds, naturally growing tree species and more. The porter may extend a hand to help you cross some challenging spots in the jungle or a push when tired.
• When you locate the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, you may have over some of your belongings to the porter so that you can freely enjoy the one hour allowed with these primates.
• Watch the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees play, interact, groom, relate, feed , discipline and much more that walks you into the evolution history of humans. Both gorillas and chimpanzees have a close resemblance to human traits. Do not forget to watch and take photos as souvenirs.
• Get away from the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees after one hours but do it without creating any suspicion.

What guarantees seeing the gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda

Finding both gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda is guaranteed no matter the season. The cost of the Rwanda gorilla permits may seem hefty but worth the experience and a contribution to the continuous support to the conservation of these primates. Some of the factors that influence locating the gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda include

• Food location
• Prevailing weather condition
• Pace of fellow tourists
• Mood of the gorillas or chimpanzees and more.

The gorillas and chimpanzees are first habituated for a moment before opening the troop to the public. The habituation process is done by habituators and researchers who record details of these primates overtime. The habituation process helps these primates to get used to human presence but preserving their natural traits. This is why they can withstand humans for an hour.

Each day a team of trackers patrol the forest earlier than tourists to establish the nesting spot for the troops and possible location for the day. The ranger guides with tourists use these clues to trace these primates.

Tourists are requested to assist with locating the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees using the clues they leave behind like foot prints, leftover fresh foliage, listen to their murmurs and much more. Some of these clues lead you to the direction taken by the gorilla or chimpanzee troop.

The size of the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees doesn’t allow them to move fast so even when they relocate, it may not be far from there previous spot so you get to see them.

At the start of the gorilla or chimpanzee trek in the jungles of Rwanda, ranger guides following the trail leading where these primates were last seen the previous day.

Are mountain gorillas or chimpanzees violent during the Rwanda Trek

The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are not violent primates but o can charge when provoked. By nature, the mountain gorillas are calm primates even though they have huge bodies covered in a dark hairy coat. The Chimpanzees are not aggressive primates too but have mood swings.

When agitated, the mountain gorillas may do chest thumping, beat the ground, chimpanzees love hooting, throwing fruits, beating tree trunks and more.

Note: it is not all the time that such odd behavior is shown by these primates that it is caused by you. Do not panic but wait for the ranger guide to establish the cause of the matter and offer the necessary new guidelines to follow which may include showing submission, pretending to chew celery and more.

Ensure to abide by the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee safaris as advised by the ranger guides at briefing.

What are the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

• Wear a clean mask when with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This was a measure adopted to prevent spreading any communicable infections to these vulnerable primates.
• No making noise before or when with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees avoid sudden movements as this may scare the mountain gorillas. These primates are highly suspicious of unfamiliar noise.
• Provoking the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is forbidden as this may cause these primates to get violent.
• Volunteer to stay behind in case you catch a communicable infection like flu, covid-19, cough and more. The mountain gorillas or chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human communicable infections and may end in massive death of these primates.
• No using flash photography when with the gorillas because they may run into hiding.
• Avoid surrounding the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees as this may seem suspicious so remain in a tight group. Do not litter or dump garbage in the forest because this alters the nature of the forest where the mountain gorillas and other inhabitants thrive.
• In case you wish to sneeze or cough do this in the folded arm or in a handkerchief but without facing the gorillas or chimpanzees
• Spitting on vegetation or soil is forbidden because this may pass infectious germs to these mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
• Maintain a distance of approximately 8 meters away from the gorillas or chimpanzees  to prevent chances of contacting them. Even when they try to approach you out of curiosity get away slowly without appearing suspicious.
• Burry the fecal materials   well beyond recognition to avoid the curiosity of the forest inhabitants that may try to exhume it.
• In case you wish to eat or smoke do it at a distance of about 200 meters away from the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
• Age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years and beyond
• Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them. These primates are habituated to be Infront of humans for just that time.
• Follow instructions from the ranger guide in order to enjoy the entire experience.

Contact us for more information.