Nyungwe Forest National Park is the only park in Rwanda where you can trek habituated Chimpanzees, approximately 500 chimpanzees are residents at the Park. Rwanda is also known as the land of a thousand hills, one of the most diverse destinations in Africa, offering untouched wilderness, incredibly friendly people.
Nyungwe National Park has a biodiversity of more than 1050 plant species, 250 endemic Albertine rifts and 200 orchids, at least 120 butterfly species, 85 mammal species, 38 reptiles, and many more. This park has a few things to do as it needs a lot of strength and stamina compared to Volcanoes National Park.
Reasons why you should trek Chimpanzees in Rwanda
Primates in Rwanda
Primate trekking is the main attraction for every traveler who visits the Park, 13 primates species are residents at Nyungwe Forest National Park namely habituated Chimpanzee, silver monkey, golden monkey, vervet monkey, colobus monkey, olive baboon, Hamlyn’s monkey, dent’s mona monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, Ruwenzori colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey among others.
Cost of Chimpanzee Permit in Rwanda
Rwanda owes one of the cheapest chimpanzees tracking permits in East Africa, the cost of chimpanzee tracking permits in Rwanda is USD 90 per person followed by Tanzania’s Mahale National Park at USD 150 and Uganda’s Kibale National Park at USD 200 per person. There two habituated chimpanzee groups in Rwanda one in Nyungwe forest with a big population of about 60 individuals and the other in Cyamudongo forest with 40 individuals that are usually seen. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is remarkable and highlights include plenty of primates that marvel in the dense forest biomes.
Travel options
The distance from the airport to Nyungwe Forest National Park is conducive for travelers using a car, the drive distance from Kigali International Airport to Nyungwe Forest National Park is 225 km and it takes about 5 – 6 hours to drive from the Airport to the Park. Luxury travelers, the quickest flight from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport is a direct flight which takes 40 minutes.
Canopy Walkway
Nyungwe Forest National Park also has the canopy walkway which is above the valley and the surrounding forests and it runs to the Kamiranzovu marsh which has a variety of bird species like handsome francolin, collared Apalis, regal sunbird, etc, orchids and waterfalls. The walkway is suspended between higher slopes and giant trees which covers about 1 km from Uwinka. The canopy walkway is almost 160m long and a maximum height of 40m. Canopy walkway offers excellent views into and over a steep streambed lined with tall trees and ferns, a barrel of habituated colobus monkeys are usually seen through Uwinka Trail. For more information about the Chimpanzee trekking tour in Rwanda kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited.
Where to stay
Luxury – One & Only Nyungwe House
Upmarket – Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Budget – Nyungwe Nziza Lodge and Gisakura Guesthouse
