Where Are Chimpanzees in Rwanda? Chimpanzee Tracking /Rwanda Safaris
Where are chimpanzees in Rwanda? Rwanda renown as a land of thousand hills and a competitive destination for tourism because of the unique mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and other species like Golden monkeys among others. In Rwanda –chimpanzees are found in three main places known as Nyungwe National Park, Cyamudongo forest and Gishwati Mukura national park though among the three places to do chimpanzee tracking Nyungwe national park ranks the highest population of chimps with more than 500 individuals and other 13 primate’s species in total such as L’hoest’s monkey, Angola colobus among others.
Chimpanzee tracking starts early in the morning with visitors expected to arrive at the briefing point in Uwinka to start tracking at 8am where you will be accompanied by the park range guide to forest trails in search of chimpanzee species. This activity can last 2 to 6 hours depending on their movements. Once you locate them one hour is given to you to spend with the chimps learn how they spend their day long in the jungle.
Fact, Nyungwe forest is home to 13 primate’s species with about 500 chimpanzees and other primates to encounter in the park include Rwenzori colobus, golden monkey, silver monkey, owl- faced monkeys, red-tailed monkeys grey-cheeked mangabey, Olive baboon, Vervet monkey many more.
Nyungwe Forest national park lies in southwestern region of Rwanda bordered with Burundi to the south and Lake kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo of the west. The park has the best montane rainforest in Central Africa, which was created in 2004 covering an area of estimating 1019 square kilometers habitant of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps among others. More so, Nyungwe is a home of different species with over 275 bird species include; Red-throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Neumann’s warbler, Dwarf honeyguide, Dusky crimsoning, Blue-headed sunbird, Buff-throated apalis, Rockeffer’s sunbird, Red-collared babbler, Mountain masked apalis, Handsome francolin Archer’s robin –chat among others, over 1068 plant species, 85 mammal species ,32 amphibians and 38 reptile’s species many more.
The park is famously known as a primates safari destination with over 13 species of primates such as grey –cheeked mangabey, Red-tailed monkey, Dent’s Mona monkeys, Olive baboon, Ruwenzori colobus, Common chimpanzee, L’hoest’s monkey, Silver monkey, Golden monkey, Hamlyn’s Monkey, vervet monkeys many more.
Chimpanzee tracking rules and regulations as follows;
Flash disc is not allowed to captured chimpanzees.
Smoking and eating are prohibited
Keep distance of 5 to 6 meters’ way from chimps.
Do not provoke the chimpanzees.
Do not little Rubbish in the forest habitat of Chimpanzees.
There is minimum age of 16-year-old allowed to trek
Always follow the instructions given by the guide.
How much is chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda?
Chimpanzee tracking permits in Rwanda costs USD90 both nonresidents and foreign residents of Rwanda and East African members pay USD60 per person per track.
Best time to do chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda
Nyungwe forest is good for chimpanzee tracking throughout the year though wet months from October to May are the best time for chimp tracking, forest birding. But seeing of other primates might be easier in the drier month, starting from June to September.
What to pack with you on Chimpanzee tracking Rwanda Safaris?
They include; Energy giving snacks, rain jacket, good hiking shoes, sun glasses, a long sleeved shirt and trousers, water proof rain jacket, warm clothing, pair of binoculars, hiking shoes, Digital camera, enough mineral water bottles.
Accessibility to Nyungwe National Park
Getting to Nyungwe National Park can be accessed by air transport from Kigali International park to domestic flights ‘’Kamembe’’ from there drive 40 kilometers to Nyungwe Forest Lodge.
Activities to do besides chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
They include Bird walk, canopy walks, Biking through the Congo Nile Trail,
Nyungwe Accommodation Safari /Chimpanzee tracking
Visitors to Nyungwe National park have got perfect accommodation facilities that suites with guest’s desires ranging from Luxury, Mid-range and Budget with overlooking of thick beautiful canopy around the lodges. Lodges include Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Nzizi Eco lodge. Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Top View Hotel.
