Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park : The chimpanzee trekking safari experience entails taking exploratory strolls through dense tropical rainforests to locate wild chimpanzees. Depending on the chimpanzee families’ movements, feeding habits, and general location, the activity typically lasts between two and five hours.

In order to locate the fascinating primates, travelers on chimpanzee trekking adventures follow the paths of the chimpanzee families. Because of the efforts made by conservationists and rangers to ensure that chimpanzees are completely accessible and unaffected by human presence in their natural habitat, chimpanzee trekking safari is a very safe activity for tourists to partake in.

The great ape species known as chimpanzees is indigenous to tropical Africa’s woodland savannahs and jungles. There are up to four recognized species of chimpanzees. Based on the evidence from fossil DNA sequences, chimpanzees and humans are closely related, with up to 99% of their DNA shared.

The similarities between human fingers, toes, palms, and faces demonstrate this. Primarily gregarious, chimpanzees inhabit social groups ranging from fifteen to one hundred fifty members, though occasionally they move in smaller cohorts while foraging in the forests.

Chimpanzees have been captured with tools in their day-to-day activities especially hunting and acquiring honey in the towering canopies of Nyungwe. Their mastery of sign language, which conservationists used to communicate with them, demonstrates their high level of intelligence. Chimpanzees are found throughout Rwanda’s tropical rainforests, particularly in Nyungwe National Park.

Situated in the South West of Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is a broad primeval forest harboring several primate species including the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees find the National Park, which covers an area of roughly 1019 square kilometres, to be a comfortable habitat because it offers plenty of space for play and hunting.

Since the chimpanzees feed on a variety of plant species, particularly fruits and leaves, the park’s rich biodiversity further contributes to their favorable living conditions. The park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site to protect the many rare species of flora and fauna there because of its exceptional biodiversity.

Known for being one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe has long been a popular  Rwanda safari destination for primates. Chimpanzee tourism activities were only recently introduced, within the last 20 years, and are now a top attraction for the majority of visitors to Rwanda.

The experience of chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe National Park gives visitors the opportunity to explore one of the oldest tropical rainforests in Africa. Along the trek, visitors can witness a variety of primate species, colourful birds, and various plant species, all of which enhance the overall experiences they have.

Nyungwe is a great place to unwind and enjoy nature because of the stunning scenery created by the towering tree canopies, which is ideal for sightseeing and photography. On this trek, visitors have the unique opportunity to learn a number of fascinating facts about chimpanzees from knowledgeable tour guides who have a deep love for the natural world and have devoted their careers to teaching people about these fascinating animals and the value of coexisting with them.

Before entering the jungle, tourists receive instruction to ensure that they know what to do and what not to do in order to have a negative experience. This also ensures that sustainable practices are followed while on the trek. Rangers go with hikers to make sure they stay safe throughout the journey.

In their quest to see the chimpanzees, the tourists pass through dense rainforests, Savannah Woodlands, and shrubs. Upon encountering the chimpanzee families, guests are permitted to spend up to 60 minutes observing the apes as they go about their daily lives.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.

In Nyungwe National Park, chimpanzee trekking is available for $250.00 per person per trek for non-foreign residents, 200 for foreign residents and 180, 000 UGX for East African citizens. Before embarking on an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking adventure, travelers must possess chimpanzee trekking permits, which must be submitted to the authorities and verified.

Chimpanzee trekking permits can be acquired through authorized tour operators, who assist tourists in obtaining and booking the permits as well as confirming that there is space available on the designated trekking dates.

When to visit.

It’s crucial to remember that chimpanzee tracking is done in Nyungwe National Park year-round. However, because there are fewer weather disruptions during the dry seasons, they are well known for providing travelers with the best experiences. Typically, the dry seasons last from June through September and from December through the beginning of February.

It’s also crucial to remember that chimpanzee trekking safari is most enjoyable during the rainy seasons because it saves time and the primates don’t travel far during these times of year due to an abundance of food.

As a result, chimpanzees are easily spotted and do not typically travel great distances in quest of food.

book a safari