Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 13 primate species, therefore it is no wonder that you will be exposed to other primates like L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, and more while in the Jungle.
This activity is exciting for anyone who is enthusiastic about primates, but it is not free of charge. You must buy a chimpanzee tracking permit from the Rwanda Development Board. This permit costs $90 USD per person and it is valid for use by one person on the respective travel dates. After the tracking, you will embark on the Safari vehicle for a scenic drive back to the lodge near Gisakura Reception Centre. Have lunch and relax after a long drive, wait for dinner, and overnight at the lodge.
Take the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe
When it comes to listing top motives for a visit to Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park can’t miss. Situated in the south western part of Rwanda, Nyungwe is an idyllic place for lovers of primates and those after active adventures. Covering part of the Park’s area, Nyungwe forest is the largest protected rain forest in Africa.
A drive from Kigali up to Nyungwe Forest National Park offers awe inspiring views of the country’s diverse scenery. If you prefer active adventures than Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe, then a canopy walk is the best for you.
The first walk to the canopy is 200m high through thick canopies. You are bound to see abundant primate species including blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.
This experience costs $60 USD per person and some of the things required for the walk are strong hiking shoes, insect repellents, a walking stick, and rain jackets.
Besides the canopy, Nyungwe also offers several trails that lead you to different parts of the forest. All guided walking tours via these trails start from the Uwinka reception center, the eastern Kitabi entrance, and the western Gisakura entrance.
Chimpanzee tracking is one of the main reasons for a trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This Park is situated in the southwestern part of Rwanda, part of its area is occupied by the famous Nyungwe Forest. Tracking sessions usually start off at the Gisakura Reception Centre. Tourists meet here with ranger guides as early as 4:30 am in the morning and at 5:00 am you start the drive to the Cyamudongo starting point.
Trackers are usually the first to go and locate where these primates spent their night. They usually trace for the chimp nests, and after they will communicate with the ranger guides via radio calls. After discovering the presence of the Chimpanzees, tourists are allowed to follow their movements in a quiet mode for some time. Within this period of time, you get to observe them as they are feeding, laughing, or playing with colleagues.
These primates also communicate by way of deafening screams, loud hoots, and booming hitting of the tree barks. It’s such a hair-rising moment like no other and so memorable. The habituated group of Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park consists of over sixty individuals giving chance for every tourist to at least sight some of the members. It is always advised to keep your voice at a low tone while in the Jungle, Chimpanzees are very active and always jumping from one tree to another. Be quiet and avoid scaring them, they may hide out. Book a tour to Nyungwe Forest.