Best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

Best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

Best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

Because most of her woods are home to primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys among others, Uganda is often referred to as a primate capital of Africa. As such, people would want to know where the ideal area to hike chimpanzees in Uganda is.

Among several woods, including Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest, Kariju Forest, Maramagambo Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda boasts around 1500 chimpanzees overall. Of all these, only Kibale National Park, Budongo woodland, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kariju tourist site house habituated chimpanzees. From above, one should be informed on the ideal location for trekking chimpanzees in Uganda.

Among the greatest places in Uganda for trekking chimpanzees is Kibale Forest National Park.
About five to six hours’ drive from the capital city Kampala, Kabarole and Kamwege district’s lowland tropical rain forest is situated. Two of the three habituated chimpanzee tribes in the forest are visited daily on treks.

Every visitor interested in chimpanzee trekking must pay USD 250 for a permit for each daily trip, which enables one hour with the habituated chimpanzees and covers park admission costs as well as guide expenses. Named the finest destination in Africa for trekking chimpanzees and seeing other 15 primates and birds, Kibale Forest National Park is Among additional things improving your chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park are forest buffaloes, elephants, and forest birds.

Given the topography and accessibility to Kampala as compared to other chimpanzee trekking locations, Kibale forest National Park is still the greatest destination in Uganda for this activity.

Budongo Jungle

Part of Murchison Falls National Park conservation area and situated in Northern Uganda, Budongo woodland has the largest wild chimpanzee population in Uganda. One must pay USD 120 for a ticket allowing one hour in order to hike chimpanzees that Kanio Pabidi has habituated.

Best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

This forest comes second in as far as finest areas for trekking chimpanzees are concerned, close to Kibale Forest National Park and thus reflects the experience of chimpanzee trekking at Budongo woodland. Along with other activities, your Budongo chimp walk may be matched with a visit to Murchison Falls National Park, where game drives on the northern bank of the river nile can be undertaken, boat cruises to the delta or base of the falls.

Although Budongo offers relatively few lodging choices, one may stay in Murchison Falls National Park or Masindi town and walk chimpanzees in Budongo. The only consistently good cheap lodging in the bush is Budongo Eco Lodge.

Kyambura gorge

Situated in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Kyambura gorge has one population of habituated chimpanzees totaling maybe eight individuals. Since most chimpanzees go from one location to another and leap from one tree to another considering their mountainous environment, chimps hiking here may be really demanding. Per person, Chimpanzee licenses for Kyambura Gorge cost USD50.00; maximum eight individuals may either track in the morning or afternoon.

How is safety and security guaranteed during chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park?

How is safety and security guaranteed during chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park?

How is safety and security guaranteed during chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park?

How safe is traveling among chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park? Rwandan tourists visit Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee trekking. Rwanda prioritizes chimpanzee conservation and hiking to grow its tourist sector.

Chimpanzee hiking in Nyungwe is safe thanks to Rwandan government regulations. A popular tourist activity in Rwanda’s southern Nyungwe Forest National Park is chimpanzee trekking, which also includes thirteen other primates. Rwanda’s largest Montane forest has 300 bird species, including local and international species, tree plants, reptiles, amphibians, and more.

Nyungwe forest chimpanzee trekking

All trekkers must attend a briefing at 5:00 am to start monkey trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. A group of guides will explain the constraints and methods for monitoring chimpanzees at the briefing in Kitabi, Gisakura, or Uwinka. The escorts guiding the guests communicate with trackers assigned to identify the chimpanzees’ last known position during the gathering.

The exercise may take two to six hours, depending on accustomed families’ locations. After finding them, you spend an hour watching the chimps play, eat, mate, and do whatever they want.

Apes are curious and cautious around people, but they will never touch them. After seeing the chimpanzees, the challenge is worth it. Visitors may view additional primates in the park’s main building after an hour with the apes. Not up to the challenge? Try the Cyamudongo chimpanzee family, which is easier to traverse.

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda

Visitors may hike habituated chimpanzees using Rwanda Development Board chimpanzee permits. A copy of the Rwandan government-owned authorization will be sent upon payment. Safaris need this. Meet the park wardens at 5:00 a.m., and the duty warden will examine your documentation and take permission.

Chimpanzees are continually migrating around the Cyamudongo woodland and Uwinkat, so spotting them when trekking in Nyungwe is not certain. For chimpanzee hiking, the Rwanda Development Board issues a one-person permit.

Chimpanzee permits need a minimum age of 15; your passport details will prove your age when you reserve. Price list for chimpanzee trekking:

Ten bucks for East Africans

Foreigners must have a work visa and pay $60.

Non-resident foreigners: $90

Citizens of Rwanda 5,000 RwF

The Rwandan chimpanzee trekking permit excludes numerous items. This lets eight or 10 people track a chimpanzee family. The permit fee includes park access, habituated chimpanzees, security, and an hour with them. Personal purchases, transportation, and hotel are excluded.

The chimpanzee permit limits the number of walkers each day to guarantee safety.

Chimpanzee habituation permit production rate?

Two habituated chimpanzee groups live in Nyungwe National Park, which issues 20 permits daily. Since only a few licenses are produced daily, tourists contemplating chimpanzee walks should secure them three months in advance.

Rebate for Rwanda’s chimpanzee permit: Habituated groups regularly move, making Nyungwe National Park a dicey place to watch them. If you don’t spot chimpanzees, you’ll receive 75% off your permit.

Nyungwe Forest National Park chimpanzee walks: regulations
Since chimpanzees remain wild after habituation, overwhelming them during tracking is unnecessary. Chimpanzees and hikers must follow the rules to be safe.

Here are Nyungwe chimpanzee hiking guidelines:

All flash photography is prohibited, so turn off your flash before engaging with the chimpanzees.
You always focus on your lead guide. They have years of experience trekking chimps safely and know the finest spots.

You can only spend an hour with the chimpanzees after finding them.
Chimpanzees are restless and continuously moving, so don’t corner them for photos.
You must be 15 to go chimpanzee trekking. Children under 15 are prohibited.
You cannot eat or drink with chimpanzees.

How is safety and security guaranteed during chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park?
Always keep eight meters or more from the apes.
Remove rubbish from Nyungwe National Park and dig a 30-centimeter hole and cover it to use the bathroom. This will maintain the park tidy for everyone.
Whenever possible, avoid touching chimpanzees.

Unhealthy people should not go on the chimpanzee trek.
To sneeze or cough, look away from the chimps and cover your nose and mouth.

Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking packing list.

If you’re not dressed properly, following chimpanzees in Cyamudongo and Nyungwe woods might be uncomfortable. See here for chimpanzee hiking safari attire. Bring just neutral colors like green, brown, and khaki. Camouflage is dangerous because of its military connection, the fact that blue attracts tsetse flies, and the fact that black absorbs heat quickly.

Long sleeves: Packing extra garments is the best way to protect yourself from the country’s unpredictable weather and the jungle journey. Lighter ones are OK because you’ll be wearing undershirts. Long-sleeved shirts protect against bug bites. You may bring undershirts and long-sleeved shirts after finding the apes. Rwandans cherish decency, therefore dress well.

Good pants are recommended for the Nyungwe National Park chimpanzee trekking safari. Wet pants are heavy and burdensome, so avoid trekking in them, especially in the rainy season. Instead, wear lightweight trousers.

When trekking with chimpanzees, use sturdy hiking boots. Blisters may be avoided with waterproof, ankle-length, well-fitting boots.

Bring gardening gloves to prevent cuts and scratches when traveling with the chimpanzees through the bush.

Wear thick, long socks to remain warm during rapid temperature changes. Hike with your pants tucked into your socks to keep insects out.

Bring a thick sweater, waterproof poncho, and raincoat in case the weather changes abruptly.

Things to Bring to Nyungwe Forest National Park

The first thing vacationers ask is what to carry on a safari, and many pack too much or too little worthless goods. This list includes goods you should bring for chimpanzee trekking:

A good camera, enough memory card capacity to save all your safari photos, a solid tripod, extra batteries (yes, you can charge them), a variety of lenses, a rain- and dust-proof case, and lens cleaners.
Bring all your hiking supplies in a water-resistant daypack.

Refillable collapsible water bottle. Since you don’t know how long the journey would be, pack more than one liter of Rwanda’s clean bottled water.
Trek emergency first aid kit. Keep the kit packed and carry your prescriptions. Local guides usually carry a first aid kit, but having another is a good idea.

Protect your skin with sunscreen.
Insect prevention
Custom shoelaces
Food, including snacks and bars.

How to Book a Nyungwe National Park Chimpanzee Safari.

Book a chimpanzee walk in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park alone or with a tour operator using the same basic steps. Chimpanzee permits, the initial purchase before hiking, may be purchased from the Rwanda Development Board or a trusted tour operator.

First, tell the trip operator when you want to go. After verifying availability, they will need your name, birthdate, and passport number. Please note that permit purchase is not final until full payment is received after date confirmation.

Payment approval will result in a duplicate Chimp Trek permit. To ensure the company is authentic and registered, extensively research them before purchasing licenses.

Additional Rwandan chimpanzee monitoring sites

Rwanda’s Gishwati Mukura National Park, which protects its tree species, also offers chimpanzee trekking. The smaller Gishwati and Mukura forests amalgamated to form Gishwati Mukura between Volcanoes National Park and Mukura Forest.

Despite its small chimpanzee population, the park is Rwanda’s option for chimpanzee tracking. Many primates live in this park, including blue, baboon, Vervet, L’Hoest, and colobus monkeys.

Rwanda’s Greatest Chimpanzee Safari Time

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is best in December–February and June–September. The peak season for safaris and chimpanzee trekking is characterized by large tourist numbers. During the rainy season (October–November and March–May), chimpanzee trekking is more challenging due to muddy terrain, strong rains, and dangerous pathways. If you don’t mind getting wet, this is the best season to birdwatch in national parks and other places.

Contact our safari specialists anytime to plan your Rwanda Chimp trip.

Gorilla and chimp trekking | How many days do you need in Rwanda?

How many days do you need for gorilla and chimp trekking in Rwanda?

How many days do you need for gorilla and chimp trekking in Rwanda?

Gorilla and chimp trekking: Rwandan gorilla and chimpanzee hikes: how long? Rwanda attracts travelers year-round for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. Nearly 90% of Rwandan safari travelers visit Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorillas and Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzees.

Visitors often question how long itu takes to view both species in one trip. A combined gorilla and chimpanzee trek safari should last at least four days, but five is better to allow for additional safari activities.

Schedule a 5-day Rwandan hiking trip with Gorilla and chimp trekking

Trek through Rwanda’s woods for five days to see gorillas and chimpanzees. First, we’ll pick you up at the airport and take you to Nyungwe Forest National Park for canopy walking and chimpanzee trekking. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park will conclude our trip.

What safari fees cover

Accommodation
Bottled water
Transfers from/to the airport
Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking and 4×4 permit.
Driving companion who speaks English
The park charges admission.
Items not included in safari pricing.
Getting dressed Insurance Visas
Expensive drinks
Individual purchases
Tips
Flight vouchers

Kigali-Nyungwe Forest National Park: Day One
Our driving guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport after a brief welcome and safari area orientation. A stop at Kigali’s Genocide Memorial Centre will precede your transportation to Nyungwe National Park.

After arriving in Nyungwe in the afternoon, explore the Gisakura Tea Estate after lunch and check-in. At the tea estate, you may drink fresh coffee and learn about coffee cultivation, harvesting, and processing. After seeing Gisakura, we’ll eat and stay at the lodge.

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
After a full breakfast, you’ll be taken to the park headquarters for a briefing and separated into eight groups to hike with the chimpanzees. Make sure you’re on time to start the walk at 8:00 am with a lead guide. The family’s travel to Nyungwe’s 80 habituated chimpanzee groups may take one to six hours, depending on their location.

How many days do you need for gorilla and chimp trekking in Rwanda?

You spend an hour with the chimpanzees after finding them. You could witness baboons, red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, and L’Hoest monkeys. Before the next activity, you will be taken to a safe place to have your lunch or rest at the lodge.

After lunch, go to the Uwinka center for our canopy stroll. Nyungwe’s canopy walk, East Africa’s longest at 160 meters and 70 meters above sea level is thrilling. The trip has three phases, so height-phobics may start slowly. This walk offers aerial views of Nyungwe.

Return to the resort for dinner and overnight after the climb.

Day 3 Volcanoes National Park Transfer | Gorilla and chimp trekking

On Day 3, our last day in Nyungwe, we will check out of the lodge and visit Volcanoes National Park after breakfast. In Volcanoes National Park, have lunch at our resort and then climb to Twin Lakes with a guide. After that, we’ll have dinner and stay at the lodge before hiking the next day.

Day 4: Gorilla hiking and Iby’iwacu culture.
A morning meal at the lodge will allow us to visit the national park. After learning about the trek’s rules, you’ll be assigned to gorilla families and separated into eight groups. The park hikes depend on your family.

The duration of the trip depends on numerous factors, including walking speed and gorilla tracking time. You discover the gorillas, spend an hour with them, then return to headquarters. After lunch and leisure, you may get your gorilla trekking and conservation certificates.

Our gorilla expedition ended with an Iby’iwacu culture visit. Near the national park, the hamlet helps rehabilitate poachers and offers them alternate means of livelihood. Meet the people, get to know them, and return to the lodge for dinner and the night after viewing ethnic dances and listening to traditional music.

Day 5: Kigali Transfer/Departure
After breakfast, your guide will drive you to Kigali. Your five-day Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee tour ends with transport to the airport or your hotel.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda’s lone gorilla trekking destination is Volcanoes National Park, a two- or three-hour drive from Kigali International Airport. Over fifteen habituated families and 400 gorillas live in the national park. Volcanoes gorilla trekking is available year-round, however December–February and June–September are the driest.

Mountain gorilla hiking requires a permit since no other identification will get you in. Whoever buys permission sets the price. Non-resident foreigners pay $1500, Africans $500, and EAC nationals $300. Visitors who register in advance for Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park get a 10% discount, while conference attendees who book in bulk enjoy savings.

Two to six hours may be needed to hike gorillas, depending on the family. However, you must first attend a lecture where they explain trekking rules, including the fact that no more than eight people may visit a gorilla family each day. No sick people should go gorilla trekking. If you see gorillas, stay seven meters away and don’t ruin the national park. You’ll spend an hour with them, so remain calm. You may eat and drink at certain places, but not near the gorillas.

Rwanda’s USD15000 exclusive gorilla trekking expensive.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda | Volcanoes National Game Park

Gorilla and chimp trekking: Other activities on a Volcanoes National Park gorilla trek safari include:

Visiting the Iby’iwacu village: This community was founded to protect and employ former poachers who now conserve gorillas. Friendly villagers will help you carry your things while you tour the hamlet. They’ll also demonstrate Kinyarwanda music and dancing.

The president of Rwanda and other dignitaries attend Kwita Izina annually. Founded to preserve gorillas from poaching and increase their number, it names baby animals.

Golden monkeys and birds are abundant at Volcanoes National Park, making it an excellent site to view them. Just follow the bamboo shoots left behind to trek them. Birdwatching during the rainy season is an excellent method to view migratory species.

Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park chimpanzee hike

Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda’s most popular chimpanzee trekking destination, second only to gorilla trekking. Chimpanzee tracking involves traveling through the jungle for one to six hours to discover habituated groups. Chimpanzee walk safaris in Nyungwe allow visitors to see thirteen primate species. At Nyungwe Park’s chimpanzee habituation experience, you may observe them more.

When arranging a Nyungwe chimpanzee trek safari, consider the permit costs, trip rules, and ideal timing.

Rwanda Development Board hike permits are the only way to see chimpanzees. Tourists must buy permits in advance to climb the two chimpanzee families. EAC citizens pay $25, non-residents $250, and international residents $75. Entering the park costs $60 for foreign residents, $10 for East African Community members, $60 for African nationals, and $100 for non-resident foreigners.

You should also know trekking tips. While trekking with chimpanzees, you must keep a 7-meter distance, not eat or drink, not touch or smoke them, not use all-flash photography, not trek if you’re sick, cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze or cough, spend no more than an hour with them, and trek in groups of no more than eight people.

The following activities are available at Nyungwe National Park. | Gorilla and chimp trekking

Visitors visiting the country for chimpanzee treks increasingly look forward to the canopy walk. The canopy trek is unsurpassed in East Africa at 160 kilometers and 74 meters above sea level. The canopy walk, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the national park and lets you observe baboons, chimpanzees, monkeys, and birds, takes two to three hours.

The Gisakura tea estate outside the national park is a famous Rwandan attraction. Touring tea plantations lets you experience the whole process from seed to completed product. A hot cup of tea will be served along the route.

You may hike around Nyungwe Forest National Park on one of its numerous pathways. The waterfall walk is the most popular hike since it takes you through the forest to numerous beautiful waterfalls with spectacular views. Longer, half-day guided nature tours allow you to see numerous birds and primates.

Safari necessities for Rwandan gorilla and chimpanzee trekking

When trekking around chimpanzees or gorillas, pack similar gear. Because you will be trekking through nearly identical terrains filled with bushes and trees, a first aid kit, neutral-colored clothing, long-sleeved shirts, pants, ankle-length hiking boots, sunscreen, insect repellent, a sunhat, sunglasses, a camera, a flashlight, a waterproof backpack, a waterproof raincoat, a poncho or warm sweater, additional batteries, and snacks are essential.

Contact us for a customized itinerary and more information on our ultimate Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trek safari. Questions? Our staff can assist.

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