Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda– Rwanda Chimpanzee tracking safaris(2023-2024)

Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda is one of the most popular safari activities in the country. Nyungwe Forest National Park is the primary destination for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwamda with guaranteed sightings. The main trekking area in the park is the Cyamudongo area. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park not only offers opportunities to sight chimpanzees but also guarantees sightings of other resident wildlife, especially primates such as velvet Monkeys, Black and White colobus, and several bird species.

Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest and Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda 

Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda will take you to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Chimpanzee tracking usually starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. Very early in the morning, the visitors gather at the park headquarters, the Park officials offer all the information for the upcoming Chimpanzee trekking adventure. The briefing will offer basic information about the park, creatures in the forest, and how to act around the chimps.

Once the briefing is complete, travelers will be assigned chimpanzee communities to follow in either Nyungwe forest main or Cyamudongo forest. The Rangers will then lead travelers into the forest in search of the primates. There is a lot to see in the forest while tracking the chimps.

On top of the chimps, the Nyungwe forest has 12 other species of primates. They include silver monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, dent’s monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, Angolan colobus, mona monkeys, Ruwenzori monkeys, vervet monkeys, golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, halmyn’s monkeys. Apart from the smaller primates, there is unique vegetation, butterflies, forest mammals, and waterfalls to see.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda – chimpanzee tracking experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee trekking is a complete ball game from gorilla trekking, unlike the gorillas, chimps are stubborn, noisy, and very mobile, and thus tracking them is much more interesting though tiresome. Because they are lighter, they spend a lot of their time on top of the trees and can move a little faster than the Mountain Gorillas.

Tracking chimpanzees requires one to be fit enough in order to follow the primates for long periods as they make quick movements both on the ground and on top of trees before settling down. One also needs to have a good camera, binoculars, and patience. Very close interaction with chimps is not possible like it is with gorillas.

They tend to keep a distance even when habituated. Chimps are also more vocal and it is easy to identify their location from kilometers away even before meeting them physically. Chimpanzee groups are very dramatic, unlike gorilla families which are generally peaceful and gentle.

Best time to track chimpanzees

The rainy season is the only time when the primates settle in one place since there is plenty to eat. During the dry season, the chimps wander deep into the forest in search of food/fruits because there is less to eat. This will require following them deep into the forest and it can take up to 4 hours to find them. It is also during the dry season that a few unlucky travelers fail to see them all together.

Rwanda’s minimum Chimpanzee tracking age

The minimum age for tacking chimpanzees in Rwanda is 15 years. Trackers need to go prepared to deal with the dense montane forest. A good packing list for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest would include sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved clothes, a hat/cap, insect repellents, a professional camera, drinks, dry food, a raincoat, and a binocular. If you are planning to move with a heavy bag or camera, ensure that you hire a porter to carry them. Plan a safari with Acacia Safaris Limited and experience real jungle thrills.