How is security and safety ensured when trekking chimps in Nyungwe National Park? One of the most popular tourist activities in Rwanda is chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park. To draw more tourists to the nation, Rwanda has made sure that chimp trekking is a growing activity and that the chimps are protected.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe is a safe pastime, and the Rwandan government has implemented safety protocols to guarantee the protection of both the trekkers and the chimps. 13 different primate species can be found in Nyungwe Forest National Park, a chimpanzee trekking destination in southwest Rwanda. With 300 known bird species, including endemic and foreign species, tree plant species, reptiles, and amphibians, this is Rwanda’s largest montane forest.

Tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe

In Nyungwe Forest National Park, chimp trekking begins with a briefing at approximately five in the morning. It is anticipated that all trekkers will be present. Any of the three locations—Kitabi, Gisakura, or Uwinka—can host the briefing.

A group of guides will lead the conversation and remind you of the guidelines you must adhere to in order to track chimps. During the meeting, trackers are dispatched to find the last location where the chimpanzees were sighted, and they are constantly in close communication with the tour guides.

Depending on where the habituated families are, the activity can take anywhere from two to six hours. Once you’ve found them, you can spend an hour with the chimpanzees playing, feeding their young, mating, and engaging in other daily activities.

As inquisitive animals, chimpanzees will attempt to approach but will never touch them. When you reach the chimpanzees, you’ll realize that the stressful exercise was worthwhile. You hike back to the park headquarters after spending an hour with the chimpanzees, where you can observe other animals. Since it is thought to be easier to trek, we suggest choosing the chimpanzee family in Cyamudongo if you are not physically fit enough.

The Rwandan chimpanzee trekking permit

The Rwanda Development Board issues chimpanzee permits, which are tickets that let visitors hike with habituated chimpanzees. A copy of the permit is delivered to you upon payment, but it is still the property of the Rwandan government. This must accompany you on your safari. Around five in the morning, you will meet the park wardens, who will verify and pick up your permission.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe is done in Uwinkat and Cyamudongo forest, but keep in mind that because the primates are constantly moving, seeing them is not assured. Chimpanzee trekking requires the acquisition of a permit, which is issued by the Rwanda Development Board and is only traceable by one person.

To purchase the Chimpanzee Permit, you must be at least 15 years old. Your age will be determined by the information you provide on your passport when making the reservation. The following is the price of the chimpanzee trek:

Ten dollars for residents of East Africa

Foreign nationals must present documentation, such as a work permit, and pay $60.

Non-resident foreigners $90

Citizens of Rwanda a RWF 5000

There are both inclusions and exclusions with the Rwandan Chimpanzee hiking permit. It enables at least eight to ten visitors to follow a family of chimpanzees. Access to the habituated chimpanzees, park admission costs, security armed rangers, and an hour with the chimps are all included in the permit charge. Personal purchases, lodging, and transportation are not included.

One way to ensure security and safety during the trek is by limiting the number of participants each day, which is accomplished through the introduction of the Chimpanzee Permit.

How many permits are issued each day for chimpanzee trekking?

Only 20 permits are issued daily for the two habituated chimpanzee families in Nyungwe National Park. This indicates that not many permits are issued every day, thus those who want to go on a chimpanzee trip should get their permits three months in advance so they may enjoy the experience.

A reimbursement for Rwanda’s chimpanzee permit: It’s not always possible to see chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, and habituated groups can occasionally travel far away, making it challenging to locate them. You will receive a 75% refund of the chimpanzee permit price if you are unable to visit the animals.

Guidelines for trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park

It is not necessary to overwhelm chimpanzees during the tracking exercise because they remain wild animals even after becoming accustomed to their surroundings. To safeguard both the trekkers and the chimpanzees, the trekkers must abide by all rules and restrictions. The following are among the guidelines for chimp trekking in Nyungwe:

All forms of flash photography are forbidden, and you must turn off your flash before interacting with the chimpanzees.
Your lead guide’s directions must always be followed. They are skilled and familiar with all the secure paths for chimpanzee trekking.

After you find the chimpanzees, you can spend no more than an hour with them.
The chimpanzees like their independence and are always on the move, so don’t corner them merely to get a picture.
Anyone under the age of 15 is not permitted to trek chimpanzees, as the minimum age requirement for chimpanzee trekking is 15 years old.

When you are around a group of chimpanzees, you are not permitted to eat or drink.
You should maintain a minimum of 8 meters between you and the chimpanzees.
Keep Nyungwe National Park clean by removing all trash from the area and, if you need to use the restroom, digging a 30-cm hole and covering it up.

If at all possible, keep your hands away from the chimps.
If you are feeling ill, do not trek with the chimpanzees.
Turn away from the chimpanzees and cover your mouth and nose when you want to cough or sneeze.

What to dress in Nyungwe for the chimpanzee trip

Wearing inappropriate attire can make the chimpanzee tracking exercise in Cyamudongo and Nyungwe forest uncomfortable. The list of suitable outfits for your chimpanzee trekking expedition is provided below. Make sure the clothing is packaged in neutral hues like Khaki, brown, and green. Since camouflage clothing is linked to the army, blue attracts tsetse flies, and black absorbs heat quickly, it is not advisable to carry it.

Long-sleeved shirts: Wearing an additional layer of clothes is the best defense against the country’s unpredictable temperature and the difficult jungle trip. Considering that you will be wearing some undershirts inside, they don’t have to be hefty. Additionally, the long-sleeved shirts shield your skin from insect bites. After tracking the chimpanzees, you can also take undershirts in addition to long-sleeved shirts. Be sure to pack some respectable clothes because decency is highly valued in Rwanda.

Long pants or trousers: For the chimpanzee hiking safari in Nyungwe National Park, a good pair of pants is advised. Trekking in jeans can be difficult and slow during the rainy season, so it’s best to wear lightweight pants instead.

Hike footwear: For trekking with chimpanzees, sturdy, good hike boots are ideal. In order to prevent blisters, the boots should be waterproof, comfy, and ankle length.

Garden gloves will help you trek with the chimpanzees without injuring your hands because you will be traversing a jungle full of branches and twigs.

In order to keep you warm during sudden weather changes, socks should be long and heavy. During the walk, pants are tucked into the socks to discourage insects from creeping up your leg.

You will need a waterproof rain jacket and a warm sweater because the weather does not always cooperate.

Things to Bring to the National Park of Nyungwe Forest

Many travelers make the mistake of either overpacking or underpacking with unneeded stuff while discussing safaris because this is the first thing that comes to mind when discussing safaris. Some items you should bring for your chimpanzee trekking trip are given below, and they include:

Several lenses, a waterproof camera case, lens cleaners, a tripod, extra batteries (even though you can charge your camera), a nice camera, and extra storage because you will be taking a lot of pictures during your safari.
A sturdy, waterproof daypack that can hold anything you could need on your journey day.
reusable water bottle. Clean bottled water is available in Rwanda, but since you don’t know how long the trip will take, you can bring a bottle that holds more than one liter.
An emergency first aid kit for the hike. Make sure the kit is completely stocked and bring your prescription medications. Although local guides typically carry a first aid kit, it doesn’t harm to have an extra one.
For sun protection, use sunscreen.
Repellant for insects
Adaptable gaiters
Energy bars and snacks.

Scheduling a safari with chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park

Whether you are traveling alone or with a tour operator, there are simple steps to follow when making a reservation for a chimpanzee trek in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park. Tourists planning a hike must first purchase a chimpanzee permit, which can be obtained from the Rwanda Development Board or a reputable travel operator.

When the tour operator confirms that the dates you have selected for your walk are available, you will be prompted to provide your details, such as your name, birthdate, and a copy of your passport. After the dates are set, you are required to pay for the permit using the company account. Keep in mind that if you don’t pay in full, the purchase isn’t completed.

A copy of the Chimp Trek permit will be issued as soon as payment is received. Make sure the business you are using is legitimate and registered by doing adequate research before buying the permits.

Other Rwandan locations for chimpanzee tracking
In Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking is also conducted in the Gishwati Mukura National Park, which was established to protect the nation’s rare tree species. Two small Gishwati and Mukura woods located between Volcanoes National Park and Volcanoes National Park merged to form Gishwati Mukura.

Although there are currently few chimps in the recently established national park, it is Rwanda’s alternative tracking location. Other primates found in the park include baboons, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Vervet monkeys, and L’Hoest monkeys.

When to go on a chimp trek safari in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is most enjoyable from December to February and June to September. Because so many people travel to the country for safaris and chimpanzee trekking during this time, it is sometimes referred to as the peak season.

The wet season, which runs from October to November and March to May, is a good time of year to go chimpanzee trekking, although it can be difficult because of the mud, slippery paths, and rain. This is the ideal time of year to see birds in national parks and throughout the nation, if you don’t mind the rain.