Nyungwe Forest National Park, which covers an area of around 1019 square kilometres and is primarily covered in dense forest, is the largest conservation area in Rwanda. It crosses the border between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The forest is home to thirteen different species of primates, although the chimpanzee is the most well-known. It is well known that chimpanzees exhibit social behaviours and intelligence, including the use of tools. The closest monkey species to humans, these primates are found only in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park. Booking Chimpanzee Permits in Nyungwe enables you to take part in chimpanzee tracking or habituation.
The Rwanda Development Board, which oversees Rwanda’s national parks, is responsible for issuing chimpanzee permits. With these permits, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the forest via the well-marked trails. As long as they are not younger than 15 years old, anyone can track chimpanzees. The activity starts at the park headquarters with a briefing from park rangers.
You will be led into the forest in groups of ten, and it will take two to four hours to find the chimpanzees. Once you have them, you have an hour to spend with them, take pictures, and just enjoy the moment before being led back to the starting point. On the way, you might come across other primates or even mammals that live in the forest.
Chimpanzee Tracking Permits are valid for a single use and can be granted to individuals, families, or groups. For foreign non-residents, a Rwandan chimpanzee permit costs $90; for international residents, it costs $60; and for citizens of East Africa, it costs $10. In the Nyungwe Forest National Park, there are only two habituated chimpanzee families: one in the Cyamudongo Forest and the other in the Uwinka Sector. Since each habituated family can only accommodate ten tourists per day—there are only 20 permits available—it is best to reserve permits in advance to avoid missing out on the opportunity to track with these primates.
The Rwanda Development Board, via their website, or through a domestic ground handler in Rwanda are the three ways to book permits in the country. Before beginning the process, you must obtain the necessary documents to enter the nation, such as a valid passport, a confirmed itinerary, a valid visa, and any other essential travel documents. Giving accurate information is crucial for a correct document.
Although you can track chimpanzees year-round, it is most enjoyable between June and early September and December and February during the dry season. During this time, the trails are much drier and easier to access, and since it is a popular travel period for other tourists visiting other conservation areas, you can expect to trek with other visitors. Among the items to bring for the chimpanzee safari are hiking boots, bug repellents, and waterproof cases for cameras and phones. In conclusion, to track mountain gorillas or the fauna of the Akagera National Park, a visit to the Nyungwe Forest National Park might be paired with another visit to Volcanoes National Park.