Nyungwe Forest Chimpanzee Tracking

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 500 chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking is without a doubt one of the most popular activities in the park. Chimpanzee tracking can be done in two locations in Nyungwe Forest National Park and you will want to choose the area close to where are staying as the park is large, and you will want to avoid unnecessary transport to your chimpanzee tracking location, especially since the activity starts early in the morning.

The price for chimpanzee tracking can seem quite high, but the activity itself is not organized by any commercial company and all the money goes back into conservation or to the communities living around the park. Knowing about the long history and struggle of Nyungwe National Park and conservation among some of the poorest communities in the world, the price for the park activities is not so high in proportion. No matter if you book your chimpanzee tracking through an operator, the park office or a travel agent, they will need to book an official permit for you. You can do this yourself in the government system Irembo, but it is quite complicated and you should ideally have someone book it for you.

Chimpanzee tracking is an early morning activity and prepare to be away at least until lunchtime but this can vary depending on the location of the chimpanzees during your visit. You need to pre-book the activity at the latest the day before, but preferably earlier. Chimpanzee tracking can be organized through the Visitor’s Center in Uwinka, the Gisakura Park Office or through a private tour operator. To know if a tour operator in Rwanda is officially licensed, head over to the RTTA Website. Most of the accommodation providers around Nyungwe Forest will be able to assist you to book, but you should really book your chimpanzee tracking ahead of departure to Nyungwe to make sure that the activity is available when you plan on doing it.

Chimpanzee tracking is done in a small group accompanied by an experienced guide and a ranger from the park. Most guides and rangers in Nyungwe forest have been working in the park for many years and many come from the areas around Nyungwe. The largest group size when tracking chimpanzees is eight people in a group, but often the groups tend to be smaller than this. Children under the age of 15 are not allowed to do chimpanzee tracking.