Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda are some of the country’s top tourists attractions, next to gorilla trekking. If you’re planning a Rwanda safari and hope to spend some time with the chimpanzees in the rainforest, you must book yourself a chimpanzee trekking permit—a license that will give you guided access to a habituated chimp family.

Rwanda promises incredible experiences with some of Africa’s last untamed chimpanzee populations in two wild chimp communities, in Cyamdungo and around Uwinka in Nyungwe National Park. 

Thus, we’ll help you with all the information you need about how and where to buy chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda. 

Where and How To Buy Chimpanzee Trekking Permits in Rwanda

What is a chimpanzee permit?

A Rwanda chimpanzee permit is a ticket the Rwanda Development Board issues to tourists to allow a guided chimp trekking tour in Nyungwe National Park. The pass lets tourists spend one hour with a habituated chimpanzee group deep in the rainforest. 

Tourists meet at three visitor centers around the park for briefing before 0500 hours. Here the park warden on duty verifies your permit before allowing you to join the trekking group of up to 10 trekkers. They will ask for your passport to verify the names on the permit.

Chimpanzee permits revenue is the best way the Rwanda government can fund primate conservation programs for the survival of chimpanzees, other primates, their natural habitat, and the communities surrounding the parks. The money from chimp permits also funds tourism and park services like staff salaries.

What is included with a chimpanzee permit in Rwanda?

The chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda includes guided access to a habituated chimpanzee group, armed range security, park entrance fees, and a single hour with the chimpanzees. 

Rwanda allows only 10 tourists above 15 years on chimpanzee trekking tours. Two armed rangers come along to ensure security from wild animals and anything else. A knowledgeable guide also leads and feeds everyone relevant information during the trek. 

The Rwanda chimp permit is a once-off-use, and it is issued for a single person for a trek and can’t be reused or transferred. However, tourists can purchase more than one permit for different chimpanzee trekking dates. Once the license’s tracking date passes, the permit is as good as last year’s calendar.

The cost of the chimp permit does not cover porter fees, in case you use one. It also does not include accommodation, meals, tipping costs, transfers, and local logistics for the chimpanzee trekking safari—the RDB charges for any other park activity like nature walks, birding, and hiking. 

How much does a chimpanzee permit cost in Rwanda?

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda costs USD 90 per adult for foreign non-residents above 15 years old. Foreign residents with work permits pay $60, East African residents pay $10, and Rwandan nationals par RWF 5000.

Is chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda worth it?

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda gets less hype than gorilla trekking, but tracking our closest ape through the tangled forest and spending uninterrupted time observing their fascinating life is worth the cost and time for the adventure.

Although scientists studied chimpanzees more than any other primates, observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat deep in the Nyungwe rainforest is worth the trip. Nyungwe National Park is one of the top places for chimpanzee trekking in Africa. It is home to two habituated chimpanzee groups, 13 other primate species, and over 300 bird species.

The chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda promises more rainforest adventure than most tourists bargain for. You can go on a nature hike, birding, or canopy walk After, during, or before your chimp trek in the rainforest.

How many chimp permits are available in Rwanda?

With only two habituated chimpanzee groups, one in Cyamdungo and another in Uwinka, and only ten people allowed to visit a single chimp group per day, there are only 20 chimpanzee trekking permits available in Rwanda on any given day.

That implies that the number of tourists wanting to buy a permit may exceed availability at one time. Book your chimp permit in advance so that you can determine when you should travel.

Where to buy chimpanzee permits in Rwanda?

You can apply for your Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit via the IREMBO government logistics website and pay by credit/debit card. Bookings are based on availability, and you can make reservations months in advance.

You can also book your chimp permit directly with a licensed tour operator to help you with booking logistics and ground handling. 

Contact our tour consultants at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com to help you buy your chimp trekking permit for your travel dates.

How to get gorilla permits

Irembo’s online booking system automatically issues bookers a permit to complete the process application. The minimum age for a chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda is 15 years.

After going through the application process of selecting the available date, filling mandatory forms, uploading required supporting documentation, and paying the applicable fees; the system issues the permit through your email.

The online system or your tour operator will require your applicant’s details, including names, passport copy, email, and phone number, at the booking time. 

Please avoid giving incomplete, inaccurate, or false information on permit applications. Wrong information means that your fully paid permit may not reach you, or you could get to the starting point and get bounced because they couldn’t verify your permit. 

At the park office, during the morning briefing, a warden verifies tourists’ documents. It would be very unpleasant to be denied park entry because of unverifiable records.

Can you buy last-minute chimp permits in Rwanda?

Yes, you can buy last-minute chimp permits in Rwanda based on availability. You can also have your tour operator buy it on your behalf and make it available on your trip. 

It isn’t very uncertain about buying a chimpanzee permit during Rwanda’s high or peak travel seasons. If you’re planning a trekking safari for June to September, ensure that you have reservations at least three months in advance.

If you’re planning a last-minute primate trip to Rwanda, contact our safari consultants at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com; we usually have a few on standby.

Is there a refund for a chimp permit in Rwanda?

Seeing chimpanzees in Rwanda is not 100% guaranteed; sometimes, they move far deep into the jungle, where trekking is impossible. Visitors who fail to see the chimps are given another chance to try or receive a refund on their permit. 

Visitors who would have tracked the forest and failed to find the chimpanzee group for one reason or another will get a 75% refund of the permit fee.

No refund is given in cases of late arrivals or flight delay, absence, or cancellation of travel for any other reason.

Book With Encounter Africa

Booking a trip to a foreign country can be quite demanding, especially if you don’t speak the language and you’re miles away. Encounter Africa Safaris Ltd can make that simple for you, manage your chimpanzee trekking safari and assure you of a memorable experience in Rwanda. 

We can customize your chimpanzee safari, process the permit accommodation, and arrange your transport. We also take last-minute bookings because we understand the market like the back of our hands. 

No waiting, no false promises with Encounter Africa. Email us at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com to get a quote right now.