Compare Nyungwe and Kibale For Chimp Trekking.
Promising the greatest primate experiences of anyplace in the world, Kibale Forest in Uganda and Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda are the top chimp trekking sites in Africa. Moreover, the two sites are somewhat near to the gorilla trekking sites in both nations, hence it is quite feasible to see both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas on the same trip.
About a 5-6-hour drive from the International Airport in Kigali or Entebbe and local airstriks, both parks are rather easily accessible. Planning a vacation in any nation and spending a day with our closest relatives in their natural surroundings is rather simple.
Trekking with chimps is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that ties you permanently to our natural past and It is a great experience to witness the resemblance we have with a wild chimpanzee in the center of an ancient forest.
Every day guided chimp trekking expeditions take place in Uganda’s Kibale Forest and Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest, allowing you a few feet near these amazing wild primates. If you find resonance in your travels with such encounters, make it a must-do excursion.
Still, chimpanzee hiking has some physical costs. Maintaining the energetic experience of keeping up with wild chimpanzees might exhaust your lungs. Unless they have recently finished a foraging trip, the wild bands seldom ever settle in one area. Before you descend down, perform some easy exercises to keep you on alert.
Apart from that, you need also be aware of a few other facts to help you evaluate your option between trekking in Nyungwe and Kibale. Let us review some of them;
Chimp Trekking in Nyungwe Forest; Benefits and Drawbacks
One of the two major adventure activities in Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest blends well with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park,300 km north of Nyungwe. Situated on the southern border of Rwanda on a rocky Rift Valley scene that provides a major freshwater supply for the country and two large rivers, the Congo and Nile Rivers, this primate park
Should Nyungwe’s puckish chimpanzees fail to appeal you, 13 additional primates, 75 animal species, more than 300 bird species, and woodland trekking paths will most certainly grab your interest.
Apart from chimpanzee trekking, the forest canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest is very popular among nature walks. Usually walking 70-meter high above the canopy for an amazing view of the tropical jungle—a feature absent in Uganda—after the encounter with the hyperactive chimpanzees.
Especially the beautiful hiking paths, the edge Nyungwe has over Kibale offers a great range of things you might include into your chimpanzee trekking trip. Spend a week at Nyungwe and be astounded the whole time. At the Gis Sakura tourist center, there also is a habituated troop of colobus monkeys that could divert your attention throughout the day.
Although the chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe ($90) is much less than in Kibale, as we all know a few disadvantages go along with affordable price tags.
Cons include
But because of the difficult high terrain, whose tracking paths sometimes get muddy, particularly after rain, Nyungwe Forest’s trails need more endurance to negotiate than those of Kibale.
The second disadvantage of Nyungwe is the dearth of options for lodging close to the visitor center. You can find yourself staying far from the chimpanzee trekking base and then pay for travel to the park.
Furthermore, Nyungwe offers minimal concessions to independent or budget tourists because to Rwanda’s goal of drawing high-cost low-volume tourism—the exact reverse of Kibale.
Finally, Nyungwe guarantees a smaller sighting percentage than Kibale; there is no guarantee that the chimpanzees will be visible even after hours of difficult hillwalking. Starting at 5:00 am, three hours earlier than in Kibale, treks allow the chimpanzee groups anywhere throughout the 340 square mile radius, so you may spend an unknown length of time looking for the chimpanzees.
Kibale Forest Chimp Trekking: Benefits and Drawbacks
Most notably because of the passable level terrain and many of habituated chimpanzees, Kibale Forest offers a much better chimp trekking experience than Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda. Other primates including chimpanzees abound in Kibale Forest.
Although the park has an amazing variety of Central African primate species like the red colobus mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboon, black-and- white colobus, vervet, and blue monkey, chimps may be the most entertaining guests in Kibale.
With every visit, chimp sightings are virtually certain, hence Kibale Forest is a more remarkable destination for chimp trekking than Nyungwe Forest. Kibale also provides a full-day habituation experience when guests spend the entire day among the chimpanzees. Nyungwe provides only the usual half-hour experience; sightings are not guaranteed.
Furthermore, there is a great range of hotels within walking distance that provide both low-cost and expensive options to all types of guests. Starting at 7:30 am, chimp trekking in Kibale makes much more sense for reaching the tourist center for the briefing before to the trip.
Although the chimp trekking permit in Kibale cost $300, double that of Nyungwe, the high price tag has more benefits than drawbacks.
Cons;
Most Uganda safari plans combine chimp trekking in Kibale with gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Kibale is somewhat distant from Bwindi and the roads are not as pleasant as those in Rwanda. The drive time between the two sites might entail include a night at Queen Elizabeth National Park as a buffer.
Ideal time for a chimpanzees’ hiking trip in Nyungwe and Kibale
Plan a chimp trekking trip in either Nyungwe or Kibale ideally during the yearly dry seasons of June to September. The dry hiking paths provide a much better experience than those in which it is pouring and allow you much more leisurely time with the monkeys.
Still, the wet seasons in March through May and November are equally wonderful. The chimpanzees are more easily found in the wet months when trees are producing fruit that keeps them in one area. For most people, however, the rain may cause disruptions. Few visitors will therefore decide to face the weather and opt for the dry seasons.
although you want to visit during the dry season, we advise booking your permits early even although chimp trekking permits in Nyungwe and Kibale may be easily accessible any time of the year. During the dry seasons—the busiest travel season in the area—acommodation becomes rare. Early booking guarantees your accommodation for the chimp trekking adventure.
Schedule your chimp safari.
Use Katland Safari to book your chimp trekking safari either in Rwanda or Uganda. Having run primate safaris, our knowledge will help us professionally schedule your permits, lodging, and transportation.
Planning a chimp and gorilla trekking combine with us also makes more sense as we handle all the ground handling so you can focus on the experience in the wealth of African wild rainforests. For a free quotation in the shortest available time, send us an email.
