Trekking with chimpanzees is one of the most popular activities in Nyongwe National Park, located on the shores of Lake Kivu, which borders Rwanda to the southwest, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west an area of 1,019 square kilometers. The best time to trek with chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park depends on the personal preferences of the visitor. Chimpanzees are primates that live in high mountains and tropical forests. Chimpanzees live in the Nyungwe National Forest in Rwanda. The Nyungwe Forest was declared a national park by the Republic of Rwanda in 2004 and is home to about 13 primates. It is also home to 322 species of birds and various species of plants, with about 1,068 species of plants making up a forest with diverse biodiversity. A suspension bridge 160m long and 70m high, as well as a canopy walk. It’s also a great spot for bird-watching.

About 500 chimpanzees live in small families in Nyungwe National Park and are trained by park rangers for human visits. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most memorable activities that attracts many tourists and is sometimes combined with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. In addition to individual considerations, there are several factors underlying the choice of gorilla trekking. The wet season is the best time to trek with chimpanzees. This is from October to May. At this time of year, the population is large and the chimpanzees can be spotted nearby without having to travel far, making them easy to spot. In addition, migratory birds also come flying, so it is the best time to trek with chimpanzees along with bird watching.

About 500 chimpanzees live in small families in Nyungwe National Park and are trained by park rangers for human visits. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most memorable activities that attracts many tourists and is sometimes combined with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. In addition to individual considerations, there are several factors underlying the choice of gorilla trekking. The wet season is the best time to trek with chimpanzees. This is from October to May. At this time of year, the population is large and the chimpanzees can be spotted nearby without having to travel far, making them easy to spot. In addition, migratory birds also come flying, so it is the best time to trek with chimpanzees along with bird watching.

The best time for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is early in the morning, when the chimpanzees wake up early to forage. It’s easier when the whole family gets together to eat and have fun together. For chimpanzee trekking, we recommend waking up early at 5:00 AM and beginning your journey with a briefing at the park headquarters before heading into the woods in search of these elusive primates.

As seen above, the rainy season is considered the best time for chimpanzee trekking, but this time of year is the busiest for chimpanzee trekking. Travelers wishing to go chimpanzee trekking should have a trusted tour operator to advise on the best times for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and to help book trekking permits. It also helps you plan other logistics, such as transportation and accommodation in or around the park, to suit your trek timing. Let us know your requirements and we will help you with everything from designing your itinerary to booking admission tickets, accommodation, and transportation during your stay.

Chimpanzee trekking safaris

The Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trek primarily starts at three reception centers called Kitavi, Uwinka, and Gisakura. All visitors going on chimpanzee treks are expected to arrive at the Park Center early in the morning. Your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the starting point of the hike. There you will meet your guide and receive an explanation.

Before embarking on the chimpanzee trek, you will be led by a ranger guide to locate the chimpanzees. Follow your guide’s instructions and hike through a dense tropical forest. After trekking to the chimpanzee, trekkers are given a maximum of 1 hour in the presence of the primate.

During this time, observe how chimpanzees live and interact with nature. Chimpanzees share about 98% of their DNA with humans, so don’t be surprised if they display some human-like traits.

If you decide to go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, the familiar chimpanzee group in the Nyungwe forest has around 60 individuals, but it is difficult to see due to the rugged terrain. Habitual groups of Chamdongo are small, about 30 individuals, but there have been some successful sightings. The chimpanzee trekking permit costs $90 for non-residents. A $60 permit is required for Rwandan ex-pats and East African citizens. Please note that this is the cost of the permit, not the cost of the tour.

The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is 16 years old. Remember to bring walking shoes and clothing, including a rain jacket. The Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trek is a wonderful activity and not to be missed when visiting Rwanda. Other activities included in the Rwanda Tour include Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Bird Watching, Kigali City Tour, Rwanda Game Safari, and Nyungwe Canopy Walk.