Rwanda’s tourism sector is developing at high speed! The country with only three parks is one of the must visit destinations in Africa. Most travelers go on safaris in Rwanda and visit its three national parks; Volcanoes National Park (Home of Mountain Gorillas), Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park (Home of 13 primate species). In this article, let me concentrate on Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park.
One of the oldest rain forests in Africa, Nyungwe Forest National Park is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift. Rain forest facilitates the growth of vegetation on which chimpanzees feed.
Nyungwe Forest National Park protects chimpanzees plus other 12 species of primates. When you are in the forest searching for chimpanzees, there are higher chances of encountering other primates like vervet monkeys, mona monkeys, colobus monkeys among others.
The roads to Nyungwe National Park are clear making it easy to reach the park. Its 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali Airport to Nyungwe National Park (218.2km).
When you go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, you are likely to engage other activities like Canopy walk, Colobus Monkeys, nature walks, cultural tours and birding among others.
Rwanda tour operators exhibits higher level of professionalism and they mind all about the well being of all guests -The trek starts with briefing (morning) and walk-in groups to look for chimpanzees in their natural habitat. In the process, the armed ranger must move with the group of chimpanzee trekkers to secure their lives.
You can reach Nyungwe National park by air or road. By road, its 4-5hrs drive from Kigali city and by flight, its 40 minutes flights.
Cheap chimpanzee permit – Compared to Uganda’s Kibale National Park, Nyungwe chimpanzee permit is cheaper and currently cost US$90.
En -route attraction from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park. Among stopovers include Butare town to see the National Museum, Murambi Genocide Memorials, Nyanza old King’s palace and so on. The journey to the park is amazing as you go making stopovers to visit different places.
