Nyungwe National Park Chimpanzee Trekking

Trekking with Chimpanzees in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park. Chimpanzee trekking, which involves seeing chimps in their natural habitat in the forest—chimps that are already accustomed to humans—is only possible in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park. Similar to gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park begins in the morning and is carried out in groups of no more than eight (8) persons.

Every year, a huge number of tourists visit the Nyungwe Forest National Park to interact with the closest living relative of chimpanzees and watch them as they play, eat, and move. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, chimpanzee trekking is available in Nyungwe National Park, Africa’s oldest forest. With approximately 400 chimps, the park boasts the largest chimpanzee population in Rwanda. Other chimps can be found at Gishwati Mukura National Park.

Trekking with Chimpanzees in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park. In order to facilitate chimpanzee trekking, two chimpanzee families have been habituated in Nyungwe National Park. With roughly 60 individuals, Nyungwe Forest is home to the majority of them, while Cyamudongo Forest is home to the remaining 30 individuals. As the closest relatives of humans, chimpanzees are fascinating to observe. Each individual must pay $100 for a Chimpanzee trekking permit.

What is the price of trekking with chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

The park entrance, ranger, and guide assigned to accompany you and your group are all included in the chimpanzee permit charge. The Rwanda Development Board, which oversees all tourism-related operations in Rwanda, is responsible for issuing the permits. On the day of the walk, you must present your chimpanzee tracking permit at the park headquarters shortly before starting your journey.

How to make reservations for Rwandan chimpanzee trekking National Park Nyungwe

Monumental Expeditions and Safaris is where you can reserve your chimpanzee trekking permits for Nyungwe Forest National Park. You can only make reservations in advance through the Rwanda Development Board. Chimpanzee permits sell out rapidly, so you can always get in touch with us to check on availability for the dates you want to go chimp trekking in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Other things to do at the National Park of Nyungwe Forest

Observing birds

Nyungwe National Park bird watching. Of the 322 bird species that call Nyungwe Forest, a tropical montane rainforest, home, 29 have been discovered thus far. The Red-collared Babbler is without a doubt the main draw, and Rwanda is the only secure location to view this magnificent species. Neumann’s Warbler, Rwenzori Nightjar, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Regal, Blue-headed, and Purple Breasted Sunbirds, and Grauer’s Swamp Warbler are some of the other specialties. With the assistance of the park’s knowledgeable bird guides, visitors may readily observe all of these and more from a well-kept network of paths.

Kungwe Apalis, Kivu Ground Thrush, and Willard’s Sooty Boubou can also be seen with more time and a little bit of luck. The Congo Bay Owl, Albertine Owlet, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and Rockefeller’s Sunbird are among the rarest species found in Nyungwe; although they have been documented, they are rarely sighted. Get in touch with us to arrange a honeymoon birdwatching excursion to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

The canopy walk

One of the best things to do while on vacation in Rwanda is to take a canopy walk at Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is a biodiversity hotspot. After an hour’s stroll from the Uwinka Reception Center to the canopy walkway, you will witness an abundance of butterflies, orchids, and vibrant birds, many of which are native to the area. A fortuitous encounter is possible because Nyungwe is home to thirteen different species of primates. The well-kept paths on the steep forested slopes can get muddy, especially after rain.

The largest extant tract of Tropical Afro-Montane rainforest in East Africa is Nyungwe Forest, which occupies 1015 square kilometers. The 200-meter canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest is a three-hour suspenseful adventure that takes place 50 meters above the forest canopy. You may have an eagle’s eye perspective and enjoy a wonderful experience of Nyungwe Forest National Park from the top of the trees.

Trekking in the Woods

There are several hiking routes in Nyungwe Forest, which will allow you to see a variety of plants, birds, butterflies, and, if you’re lucky, primates. Some of the hiking trails include the Isumo Trail (which leads through lush tea fields, steep rainforest ravines, and the largest waterfall in Nyungwe National Park), Karamba Trail, Umugote Trail, Umoyove Trai, Uwinka Trail, Irebero Trail, Imbaraga Trail, Bigugu Trail, and Isumigishigi Trail. Other trails include the Kamiranzovu Trail, Muzimu Trail, Ngabwe Trail, and Rukuzi Trail. Depending on your preference, the hikes range in length from an hour to a whole day.

Tracking Colobus Monkeys

There are thirteen species of primates in the Nyungwe forest, with monkeys being the most common. The Nyungwe forest in southern Rwanda is home to the rare Rwenzori Colubus monkey, and monkey trekking is possible at any time of year. There are a lot of people in the park, and during this trip, you can frequently come across a gathering of 400 people. It is ideal to follow them in the morning, when they are actively feeding and grooming, before they go to sleep, just like the other primates. The Grey-Cheeked Mangabey, Blue-Monkey, L’Hoest, Owl-Faced, and Mona monkeys are among the other monkey species you will encounter.

Accommodations available in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Any traveler to Nyungwe, regardless of their budget, can undoubtedly find a place to stay thanks to the variety of lodging options that surround the Nyungwe Forest National Park and offer services at varying prices. The opulent One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, and Gisakura Guesthouse are a few of the suggested lodging options.

How can one travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park to trek chimpanzees?

RwandAir offers flights from Kigali to Kamembe International Airport. The airline operates domestic flights, and Kigali-Kamembe is one of those routes. There are at least nine weekly flights from Kigali to Kamembe International Airport operated by RwandAir. The Nyungwe Forest and a few hotels/camps are both close to the airport. car transportation is another way to go to Nyungwe Forest; we do provide car trips for chimpanzee safaris. From Kigali city, it takes around five to six hours to drive to Nyungwe. Our safaris begin at 8:00 am, and because there is so much to see along the road, you will stop for pictures and picturesque vistas.

Why make a reservation with us?

With its headquarters located in Entebbe, Uganda, Monumental Expeditions and Safarisis a local tour operator that also offers trips to Rwanda, Kenya, Congo, and Tanzania. Booking your chimpanzee permits, all activities in Nyungwe, services, and hotels is made simple by our positive and long-standing working partnership with the Rwanda Development Board. To arrange your Chimpanzee Trek in Nyungwe Forest National Park, please get in touch with Monumental Expeditions and Safaris.