Explore Nyungwe Forest: Chimpanzee Trekking Trip to Nyungwe National Park: Primate Adventures in Rwanda  

Chimpanzee Trekking Trip to Nyungwe

With exceptional adventure experiences like gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking, Rwanda has clearly outperformed the African tourism destination development curve in the previous ten years. If you are considering visiting Rwanda, it must be for one of the two excursions focused on protecting the threatened species, their habitats, and the nearby human populations.

Although Rwanda is home to monkeys—colobus, golden, L’Hoest’s, owl-faced, Dent’s, blue, and vervet—and olive baboons and nocturnal primates like potto and bushbabies, Rwanda may have put it on your trip list thanks to the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

Expect to sail throughout the urban, culturally rich Kigali metropolis on a standard Rwanda safari. Then drive northwest to see the gentle mountain gorillas and capstone the journey with a chimpanzee trekking adventure in the primate-rich Nyungwe National Park situated in the country’s south.

What Should One Expect on a Trekking Trip to Nyungwe National Park for Chimpanzees. We will concentrate on what you should anticipate on a chimpanzee trekking trip to Nyungwe National Park. Let us start right now.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Found in Rwanda’s southwest hilly area along the border with Burundi, Nnyungwe depends on Kibira National Park (on the side of Burundi) and lies between Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika. Blessed with animals and strikingly gorgeous, Nyungwe is among the oldest rainforests in Africa.

Though the park safeguards an amazing array of rare species, its tiny chimpanzee population is the major draw. On a chimpanzee trekking trip, however, you will come across one of the 15 other primate species—L’Hoest’s monkey, native to the Albertine Rift.

A great explorer wouldn’t goto  Nyungwe National Park in search of the chimpanzee. One of the 1,068 plant species—especially one of the 140 orchids—may catch the eye of a plant geek. Even you may not be able to avoid the multicoloured feathers of any of the 322 bird species and 150 butterfly species that could cross your path to the chimpanzee troops.

One of the benefits of trekking into the untouched woods of Africa is the surprises that shock your adrenaline and bring you alive once more. Under its magical forest canopy, Nyungwe has more than seventy creatures. Expect at one time for any of the shy residents—several cat, mongoose, leopard—to cross your way.

Luckily, experienced trackers and armed security accompany all trips to prevent unwelcome surprises. Surely, such an encounter is worth going across seas for.

Though chimpanzee trekking is worth visiting Nyungwe National Park, the forest is a hiker’s paradise. Trekkers should anticipate more than just seeing the antics of our evolutionary relatives.

Chimpanzees Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

We find observing chimpanzees to be rather interesting, as scientists found that they are 98% human DNA, quite similar to us. Spending even a little time in the outdoors will help us to understand them and ourselves as well as appreciate the natural environment.

The closest to such experiences is chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park. On a chimp trip, then, expect to connect with the oldest untamed wildlife in one of Africa’s oldest rainforests.

In numerous regiments or tribes, Nyungwe Forest supports more than 500 chimpanzees. You will be following only two of the groups—two that are habituated to human visits.

At five in the morning, small groups of hikers set out to locate one of the regiments accompanied by armed and experienced guides. Since the chimpanzees might go anywhere within a 340 sq mi radius, the duration of reaching them could be anywhere between 20 minutes and hours.

Luckily, you will be strolling with professional trackers that could easily follow their movements and anticipated paths. Once you locate them, you will be allowed spend at least one hour. The duration might be limited to stop you from overstaying your invite. Wild, you know; above the limit to what our primitive relatives can handle!

Anticipate a difficult journey in the tough jungle terrain. Before you go and pack to suit the terrain—which may be steep, slippery, and muddy—tracking over dense foliage to reach the chimpanzees—you should increase your degree of fitness. Along with some degree of athleticism, appropriate shoes are vital.

Although the RDB office ($90 per person) may schedule your permit, we encourage you to get yours via Katland Safaris. The ground office certified to handle the permission on your behalf is here. Besides, you might choose to leave things to us and avoid the logistical mess.

Canopy walk in Nyungwe. 

The demanding terrain of Nyungwe National Park appeals to trekkers. There are more than eleven beautiful hiking paths in the park. For at least a week, expect this rainforest to treat you with its pleasures on a guided hiking trip. If you are monitoring gorillas in the well-known Volcanoes National Park, you should give Nyungwe some thought for outdoor activities.

The most well-known of Nyungwe’s paths on the 2.1-kilometer Igishigishigi Trail will lead to breathtaking views over the Canopy Walkway. The massive tree ferns strewn over the Igishigishigi Trail are the inspiration for its name.

You are hurrying the path, hence it feels shorter. Kindly not! At least combine it for a dramatic encounter with the lengthier Imbaraga or Umuyove Trails. The admission fee for Nyungwe hiking will run you $60 each.

Hiking the paths of Nyungwe National Park will thrill birders to cross off a list of 322 bird species, including 29 endemics to the area. The Red-collared Babbler is what most birders want to find. This amazing flyer naturally finds Rwanda the most suitable habitat.

Among other specialties are Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Grauer’s Warbler, Regal, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Blue-headed, Purple-breasted Sunbirds, and Neumann’s Warbler. Under direction from the park’s knowledgeable bird guide, you will find all these from any of the well-kept birding paths.

How does one arrive there?

Assuming your main point of arrival in Rwanda will be Kigali International Airport. In such circumstances, you can plan to travel almost 300km/154mi across the nation to the southern border to locate the visiting center of Nyunge National Park in Rusizi. From Kigali via well-paved roads, the travel takes five to seven hours.

Imagine you are combining gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in the north with your chimpanzee vacation to Nyungwe. So, across the eastern Lake Kivu coast, anticipate traveling 4-6 hours between Rusizi and Ruhengeri. An amazing drive that will rejuvenate you.

Where would one stay while on a Chimpanzee Trekking Trip to Nyungwe?

Nyungwe offers something for everyone, from affordable hostels for adventurous trekkers to luxurious woodland living. Let Katland assist you with your lodging for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe if you are not expecting to handle the excessive logistics.

For a luxurious stay with first-rate conveniences, however, you may reserve One&Only Nyungwe House or Nyungwe Forest Lodge. For the mid-range third-tier visitor, Gisakura Guesthouse and Nyungwe Top View Hill are something.

The closest towns provide a large selection of guesthouses and homestays, should you choose to go below the mid-range price. Along the paths of the park, campers may also access any of the accessible sites and pack their own equipment.

When should I visit for a Chimpanzee Trekking Trip to Nyungwe?

All year long, Nyungwe National Park welcomes hiking and chimpanzee trekking. Anytime qualifies as a nice time.

But because October through May is the rainy season, chimpanzee trekking expeditions in Nyungwe would be most ideal. When the park is covered with an abundance of food during the rain, you will find chimpanzees really quickly.

In the dry months, from June to September, general trekking and finding other monkeys may be easier.

Travelling with Katland Safaris

Funding the preservation of our threatened relatives most successfully comes from chimpanzee trekking. They need us to get that permission and visit them to learn about their suffering in trying to escape extinction, as we have done for other creatures.

Come with Katland to handle all the ground logistics and oversee your anticipated chimpanzee trekking adventure in Nyungwe National Park. Now, to reserve your place, send us an email.