Chimpanzee tracking safari in Burundi

Chimpanzee tracking safari in Burundi in the wild is a once in a lifetime adventure experience for every traveller to East Africa. Imagine hearing our genetic cousins’ shrieks both close and far away as you walk through the slopes of a thick forest to get a peek of them.

Chimpanzee tracking safari in Burundi

Due to its small size and abundance of primates, Bururi Forest Reserve in Burundi provides the highest chances for chimp sightings. We suggest chimp trekking in Bururi Forest Nature Reserve since it makes it simpler to find the chimps. Southwest Burundi is home to the Bururi Forest Nature Reserve. It was established as a natural reserve (IUCN protected area category Ib) in 1951. 33 km2 make up its area. The Institute National pour l’Environment and la Conservation de la Nature (INECN) is in charge of overseeing it.

Located directly west of the town of Bururi in southwest of Burundi, Bururi woodland Nature Reserve is a tiny area of woodland on the far southern side of the Congo-Nile divide.

Trekking for chimpanzees entails going through rainforests in search of the primates. It often takes three to five hours, depending on where they are. You may go very near to chimpanzees in areas where they are well-habituated, but in other locations, you will view them from a further distance.

Despite its unpopularity, as compared to its neighbors in East Africa, Burundi has thrived in chimpanzee population along with stunning beauty. Unlike other chimpanzee destinations in East Africa, Burundi chimpanzee trekking permits are less expensive.

Chimpanzee tracking trips require reservations and permissions, which may be obtained from the Bururi Forest Reserve headquarters or a respectable company. On your behalf, Africa Adventure Vacations can help you get permits.

At 6:00 a.m., your guide will pick you up from your accommodation for your Bururi chimpanzee trekking adventure. This is because the morning is the greatest time to try to locate chimps because that is when they are most active. They relax after approximately 10 a.m.

Bururui Forest Reserve has a great staff of trackers in addition to the site guides who ensure daily tracking of the chimpanzees. In order to help the chimpanzees become used to people – chimpanzee habituation, they spend time with them, document their whereabouts, and watch how they behave.

Somewhere in the jungle, the tracking crew will be in front. Their task is to locate the chimps and inform the guide where they are. Trackers use radio calls to contact the tour guides after chimps have been located.

Because Bururi’s chimpanzees are typically located in the forest, you should expect to walk off the main road for a while. However, all of this adds to the adventure experience! Visitors are permitted to see the chimps interacting with each other for an hour.

Along with more than 93 tree species, the Reserve is home to over 87 recognized bird species, including the Rwenzori Batis and other unique kinds of birds found in the Albertine Rift.

The Best Time to Trek Chimpanzees in Bururi

One of the two dry seasons is the ideal time of year to go chimpanzee trekking. January to February is the short dry season, whereas May to August is the long dry season. Clear weather is experienced during the dry season with little rains expected.  The routes and trails within the forest are relatively dry. Whereas you should expect muddy and slippery conditions if you choose to go chimpanzee trekking during the rainy season.

Accessing Bururi Forest Reserve

Accessing Bururi Forest Reserve can be quite easy as travelers can drive to the reserve if they are arriving by 4×4 or public transportation. It will take around an hour and two to reach the forest reserve by using the road from Bujumbura to Bururi town.

Accommodation:

The greatest spot to stay in Bururi is the Moonlight Hotel. It is ideally situated directly on the reserve’s edge. There is safe parking, hot water, and immaculate rooms. Additionally, there is a little restaurant on site.

Additional lodging options include the Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika, Goodlife Residence, Mountain’s View Hotel, Martha Hotel, Hotel Belair Residence, and Tanganyika Blue Bay Resort.

Make reservations for the Chimpanzee Trekking Tour in Burundi’s Bururi Forest Reserve with Africa Adventure Vacations for the best East African primate safari experience