Why is it important to plan your Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee experience in Advance?

Why is it important to plan your Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee experience in Advance? Booking the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experience in advance is very important because each day a maximum of 8 gorilla trekking permits are open to the public per day. At the moment, Rwanda has 12 gorilla families open to the public which creates tight competition for these limited Rwanda permits therefore booking the permits in advance is the safest way.

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For chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda there is only one destination where so far two chimpanzee communities are habituated that is Nyungwe National Park and the Cyamudondo on the outskirts. Rwanda has two chimpanzee trekking sessions is morning or afternoon and the number of these permits is restricted to minimize the effects of mass tourism.

For one to do gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, you must possess a gorilla or chimpanzee permit from Rwanda Development Board before you are accepted to see these primates.

For better preparations, book the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari to Rwanda in advance because even the logistics that need to be included in this safari package are better reserved prior. Contact us for more information.

Where To Do Gorilla and chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

The only gorilla trekking park of Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park situated in the western part of the country. This pristine forest is home to a multitude of wildlife including grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons to mention but a few. Over 200 bird species are confirmed residents of Volcanoes forest including Albertine rift endemics.

The mountain gorillas are on the top tier of the Rwanda safari cake. At the moment, Rwanda has 12 gorilla families open to the public including Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, Hirwa, and others. These gorilla families roam the slopes of 5 Virunga volcanoes that is mountains Gahinga, Muhavura, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Sabyinyo

The presence of these mountains in Volcanoes forest are the reasons why gorilla safaris in Rwanda are considered steeper than other counterparts.

On the gorilla trekking day in Volcanoes National Park, tourists gather at the ranger station that is ORTPN  for document verification, briefing and gorilla family allocation. Later the ranger guide leads the tourists following the path where the gorilla family was previously located.

When you finally find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them so that they can be left free to go on with daily life activities. The presence of humans disrupts the mountain gorillas and to some extreme, they may get agitated.

How To get To Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

From Kigali city, the distance to Nyungwe National Park is about 107 kilometers for drive time of about 3 hours.

Nyungwe National Park

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity of Nyungwe National Park and its headquarters are at Uwinka. Nyungwe National Park is an afro-montane forest located south of Lake Kivu in Rusizi District. Over 1000 animal species have been registered as residents of this park. On the periphery of Nyungwe forest is Cyamudondo where another community of Chimpanzees has been habituated and opened to public visits.

More than 300 bird species have been confirmed as residents of Nyungwe National Park including Albertine rift endemics. Some of the resident birds of Nyungwe forests include Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Archer’s Robin Chart, White Headed Woodhoope, African Greenbroad Bill, Dusky’s Crimsonwing and others.

The canopy walk over Nyungwe National Park is both exciting and may stimulate some adrenaline. The canopy walk is on a 160 meters long suspension bridge and approximately 70 meters high. From this bridge, you get to enjoy the stunning view of Nyungwe Forest and the beautiful features dotted around the park.

How to get to Nyungwe National Park

From Kigali town, Nyungwe National Park is about 219 kilometers for drive time of about 4 hours to 5 hours

Why Book Rwanda Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Experience In Advance

The demand for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits in the peak season is high yet supply is restricted to a maximum of 8 permits per day. The peak tourism season in Rwanda is normally June to September and December to January. To match the demand for Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee permits in the high season we recommend to our clients to make advance reservations at least 6 months to a year prior.

For logistics that support the gorilla and chimpanzee safaris such as accommodation, transport, driver guides and others, the competition for them is very high too in the peak season since even tourists to these safari destinations in Rwanda use the same service providers.

For better planning and being organized, when you book the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari, you save yourself from last minute panic. There are always a variety of options of service providers, permit options available with advance safari booking. The Rwanda Development Board offers the chance to reschedule the gorilla or chimpanzee permit to a future date for early birders terms and conditions apply.

For scheduled or group gorilla and chimpanzee safaris to Rwanda, early booking is also necessary before the availability of openings closes off. The majority of the scheduled or group Rwanda safaris have a limit and timeline with terms and conditions.

Chances of finding last minute gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda during the low season which is normally March to May and last October to November are more open but not guaranteed. Contact us for more information.

How To Book Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permits

Choose a confirmed or tentative date for the Rwanda gorilla or chimpanzee trekking safari. Identify the number of eligible people to do the gorilla and chimpanzee safari with. This helps with planning and finding availability of both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits. Note that the age limit for Rwanda gorilla trekking is 15 years and over and 12 years and over for chimpanzee trekking.

Upon receiving your inquiry at Encounter Africa Safaris, our safari consultant checks the availability of both gorilla and Chimpanzee permits per your dates from the list of Rwanda Development Board.

Immediately She or he finds availability of these permits, he or she get back to you the shortest possible time. Note that the status of the gorilla and chimpanzee permits changes any time with a warning. There is no gorilla or chimpanzee permit that is reserved without payment.

After booking the gorilla or chimpanzee permit, avail some personal details to be added to these permits for identification. The name, Nationality, date of birth and other personal details

What accommodation to Book For Both Gorilla or Chimpanzee Experience in Rwanda

Accommodation Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park accommodation is categorized into Upscale, mid-range and basic. Some of the accommodations of Volcanoes National Park include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Hotel Lebambou, Hotel Muhavura, Gorilla Nest Kinigi Guest House and others.

Accommodations in Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park still has limited accommodation but the available options are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.

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

When Is The Best Time To Do Rwanda Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

The best time to do Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari is any time of the year however, the dry season is most preferred. The dry season which is normally June to September and December to January registers more tourists who visit Rwanda for safaris.  

The environment in the wilderness favors faster movement in the forest which is known for experiencing high precipitation all year. There is more sunlight penetrating through the dense canopy to the ground to keep it drier and passable. Volcanoes and Nyungwe forests generally have a dense network of rivers that flow in a normal and controlled course in the dry season.

Most of the forest dwellers in Volcanoes and Nyungwe forests are full of life and may be seen meandering around in search of food since there is scarcity of food sources in this season.

Note that due to the overwhelming demand for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda during this period, the permits sell out in advance. The latecomers may not get the chance to secure a gorilla or chimpanzee permit for themselves in this peak season.

The wet season which is normally March to May and November shouldn’t stop you from participating in gorilla and chimpanzee safari. Be assured of finding the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Chances of finding availability of both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits at the last minute during the low season are more open. Even competition for other resources that support tourism like accommodation, transport are more open in the low season.

Ensure to carry some rainproof gear to use for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventures in Rwanda no matter the season you travel for this safari.

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

Both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda are in quite steep areas as is the general case of the topography of the country. Rwanda is referred to as the land of a thousand hills. When you start the search for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees after briefing the ranger guides use the trails constructed by regular visitors to these destinations.

The tracks in the forest are sometimes overgrown and may obstruct the way requiring someone to trim and create a path. During the extreme wet season, the rivers flood the forests making it challenging to move fast.

Despite the challenges you are likely to encounter along the way while trying to locate the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, nothing prepares you for the moment you find these primates. Many tourists explain it as a moment full of mixed feelings of both excitement and anxiety.

Sometimes the chimpanzees may keep up in the canopy especially during the wet season and the mountain gorillas may spend most of the time on the slopes of these highlands. This requires someone with some level of fitness to hike and get to the mountain gorillas. This is why the gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda are regarded as the most challenging experiences.

No matter the challenges you encounter on the way to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees when you finally face them, all this may fade away replacing it with excitement.

What are the guidelines of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

• Wearing a clean mask before meeting the eastern mountain gorillas is compulsory after the outbreak of Corona Virus. This is one of the preventive measures to reduce on the chances of passing this infection to their endangered primate species.
• In case you wish to cough or sneeze, do it away from the gorillas or in a handkerchief to prevent spreading of germs.
• Spitting on vegetation or soil is forbidden because it may contaminate the food on which the eastern mountain gorillas depend on.
• Use of flash photography is forbidden because this may scare the gorillas. They are highly sensitive to new occurrences in their vicinity.
• In case you wish to take a long call, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you at least 30 centimeters deep and cover everything well beyond recognition. This is to prevent forest dwellers from exhuming what you may have covered.
• Provoking the gorillas is forbidden because they have moods too. They may get agitated and move into hiding.in nature they are shy and serene creatures but do not test their patience.
• Eating or smoking 200 meters from the gorillas may cause them to move and grab it from you. The mountain gorillas are wild animals that must search for their own food and not depend on human provision.
• On tourists ages 15 and above are allowed to do gorilla trekking. This is because of the hardships that come with searching for the gorillas like the time of locating the gorillas is unknown, the way to the gorillas is sloppy at times, the provocative nature of the gorillas and much more. A child below this age may not withstand such so in case they make noise they may cause a stampede in the forest.
• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the gorillas when you locate them. This is to reduce on the chances of passing an infection to the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees. They are highly susceptible to human infectious diseases. Even when they approach, try to stealthily move back.
• Littering the forest or dumping garbage in the forest is forbidden because this alters the nature of the forest where the mountain gorillas feed. They are vegetarian in nature so when you dump indecomposable garbage, it may prevent the growth of plants on which the gorillas and other forest dwellers feed.
• Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them.

Contact us for more information and bookings.