Where to go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Where to go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda: Rwanda is one of the countries in the world that is lucky to be harboring chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Tourists intending to meet the closest relatives to human beings in the wild can take a visit to Rwanda.  The place to meet chimpanzees in this country is Nyungwe National Park, which is located in the southwestern part of the country.

Nyungwe Forest National Park was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1933 and later as a national park in 2004. Currently, the national park covers over 1019 sq. km, characterized by a diverse range of vegetation, including bamboo thickets, wetlands, montane rain forests, and grasslands.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the best for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda because it has a population of more than 500 chimpanzees. Some of these chimpanzees have been habituated and are used to human presence around them. The forest has troops that live in families of 30 to 80 individuals, and tourists visit them by taking part in the trekking activities.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Early in the morning, tourists with valid trekking certificates drive to the Uwinka Visitor Centre, where they all gather and let the rangers brief them about the activity. Trekking permits are first verified, and trekkers of the day are taught the rules and regulations of the activity.

Groups are formed, and those who need porters to carry their luggage can hire them at an affordable fee. Armed ranger guides are assigned to lead the trekkers in the jungle, where they are to search for where the chimpanzees are. Armed ranger guides communicate with the rangers who visit the forest first to search for where the chimpanzees slept.

Trekking trails are used to search for where the chimpanzees could be, and while doing so, trekkers get to meet some of the forest’s attractions. The Nyungwe forest is home to over 85 mammals, 13 primates, and more than 310 bird species. Some of these can be met while searching for the chimpanzees and also as the trekkers move out of the jungle.

Searching for and locating chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda, takes 2 to 3 hours. When the chimpanzees are spotted, trekkers get to have one hour around the members, which comes with an opportunity to learn about their habitats by watching them carry out different activities and asking the rangers what they want to know about the chimpanzees.

When the chimpanzees are spotted, trekkers get to watch them carry out activities such as nesting, hunting, breastfeeding, mating, and jumping from one tree to another. Trekkers are allowed to record videos and take photos of these chimpanzees for future memories.

After having a good time around the chimpanzees, trekkers are asked to move away silently from the troop and trek out of the forest. They are awarded trekking certificates to show that they were part of the trek and they have helped in conserving the chimpanzees.

Things to pack for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

To enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you need to pack the right essentials. These include the waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton socks, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved shorts, long pants, a light backpack, a rain jacket, insect repellents, sunscreen, water, energy-giving snacks, a camera, and a pair of binoculars, among others.

The best time to visit the chimpanzees of Rwanda

Tourists can visit the chimpanzees of Rwanda in Nyungwe Forest National Park throughout the year. The best time, however, is the dry season, which occurs in June to September and December to February, as these months have little rainfall and plenty of sunshine, which keeps the vegetation short and the trekking trails dry and easier to walk through.

During the dry season, the vegetation is short, which gives trekkers a clear view of the chimpanzees. When the trekking trails are dry and passable, it allows trekkers to move easily around the forest. Tourists who find time to travel in the low season can still do so as the park is always open.

March to May and October to November are the rainy season months, and tourists should know that they are characterized by too much rainfall and little sunshine. The activity is less enjoyable, as the trekking trails are muddy, and the vegetation being too tall gives unclear views of chimpanzees and other forest attractions.