Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda | Premium Africa Safaris

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is not just an extraordinary safari activity but rather an adventure that lets you unleash your travel spirit. But before you embark on any journey, you need to have a deep insight into this epic primate adventure. At Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd, we bring you the ultimate guide to chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda.

Complete Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda

General Information

Embarking on a Rwanda chimpanzee trekking marks the start of the journey to explore the breathtaking landscapes and reconnect with our relatives in their natural habitat. Up to 98% of the DNA of chimpanzees and humans is similar, making them our closest relatives. In Rwanda, visitors have a chance to embark on a chimpanzee trekking adventure to interact with these unique species in the wild.

Visitors are accompanied by experienced park ranger guides to search for habituated chimpanzee troops. During the chimpanzee trek, the focus lies on observing how chimpanzees behave and taking photos. While in the jungle, you can hear these primates as they make calls, socialize, and bond with each other.

Destinations to visit for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda chimpanzee trekking tours are offered in the 2 Parks- Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.

About Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking Experience

Nyungwe is the most explored destination in Rwanda when it comes to chimpanzee trekking. At Nyungwe, visitors can start their trek from Cyamudongo or Uwinka. This Park protects about 500 chimpanzees plus many other primates. Considering the nature of altitude, expect to begin your trek as early as 5:30 am, and you can take about 2-5 hours.

On locating a habituated troop of chimpanzees, you get a chance to stay with them for about 1 hour. This is the moment to enjoy a close interaction with these apes in their habitat, and also for you to take pictures.

The available chimpanzee communities to visit include the Cyamudongo troop, which roams in the Eastern section of Nyungwe Forest. Cyamudongo consists of about 30 chimpanzees and offers a higher success rate of finding these apes.

Uwinka troop concentrates around Nyungwe’s Uwinka, which is the Park headquarters. It is a bigger troop but requires a certain level of fitness to locate it. Gisovu troop is the 3rd chimpanzee community and roams in the remotest side of Rwanda.

A wide range of other primates can also be spotted in Nyungwe Forest, including the red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, crowned monkeys, and colobus monkeys.

Visit Chimpanzees in Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Gishwati-Mukura Park is the other special spot to consider for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Chimpanzee trekking is an amazing primate adventure that Gishwati-Mukura is most popular for.

Gishwati-Mukura is a newly created Park, and tourists can encounter not only chimpanzees but also other primates. Additional primates to find in this Park include vervet monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, golden monkeys, black & white colobus monkeys.

How are chimpanzee treks in Rwanda done?

When you think of embarking on a chimpanzee trek, expect to engage in a physical foot walk. You trek through the natural forest as you look for a habituated community of chimpanzees. Visitors’ day to explore chimpanzees begins with a briefing at the park offices. During the briefing, you get insight into the guidelines for chimpanzee trekking and allocation of park ranger guides.

You can be transferred to where chimp treks begin from, and this is at around 5:00 am. The actual navigation through the rainforest to search for chimpanzees starts early. Unlike destinations like Kibale, Nyungwe offers only a single chimpanzee trekking session.

How much is a Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit 2025-2026?

A valid chimpanzee permit is required for you to engage in the trek with Nyungwe Forest chimps. Each permit costs USD 150 per person for foreign non-residents, USD 75 for foreign residents in East Africa or Rwanda, and USD 25 for East African citizens. The park entry fees range as follows: foreign non-residents (international visitors) pay USD 100 per person, foreign residents in East Africa or Rwanda, plus other African citizens, pay USD 60 per person.

Visitors interested in chimpanzee encounters in Rwanda can plan and book their trips or permits through the reliable tour operator on the ground. Dawnlight Journeys is in the right position to secure a chimpanzee slot for you. Booking for your chimpanzee trek should be done in advance, at least 2-3 months before the actual visit to Nyungwe or Gishwati-Mukura to engage in this primate adventure.

The best time to travel for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year, and you can participate in the trek to see chimpanzees. However, the dry season offers favorable weather conditions, making it the perfect period for you to embark on the trek to see Nyungwe/Gishwati-Mukura chimpanzees. In Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura, the dry season occurs from June to September, and these chimp parks also enjoy shorter dry spell from December to February.

During the dry season, visitors can enjoy smooth treks with chimpanzees with no worries of the disturbances from rain and muddy grounds. The forest floor remains drier for the long dry season thus making the visitor trek easier and memorable. Visitors can also consider the wet or off months to travel for chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda, although these months primarily record heavy rains.

The wet or rainy season falls in March, April, and May, while another phase starts from October to November. Talk to the local expert to guide you on the seasonality of parks as you plan for incredible chimpanzee treks.

To prepare you adequately, you can also do adequate exercise to make your body get used to the tough terrains or the general nature of the forest.

What to pack for a Rwanda chimpanzee trekking tour

Do not forget to pack right for your chimpanzee trekking tour in Rwanda. Your chimp trekking packing list should include a tin of insect repellents, long pants, waterproof hiking or walking shoes, a rain jacket, sunscreen, snacks, bottled drinking water, all essential travel documents, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a sweater, a pair of socks, a waterproof daypack, and more.