Is Chimpanzee Tracking in Rwanda Worth It? Costs and Tips.

Is Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda worth the Price?

Rwanda is an amazing country in East Africa, popular for its natural beauty. It is also commonly referred to as the “Land of a thousand hills” due to its topography, together with unique primate species, including chimpanzee in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park, together with the Mountain Gorillas of the Volcanoes National Park. Chimpanzee tracking is mostly done in Nyungwe, the conservation area straddles along the southwestern border of the country, extending to the Kibira national park in Burundi. There are about 500 individuals of chimpanzees living in the Forest freely without being captured together with other primate species.

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most thrilling and adventurous activities to do while in Rwanda, it takes place beginning at the Uwinka visitor center with a briefing from the park rangers on how to conduct your self while with the primates, in groups of 8 you will lead to the habituated chimpanzee families lead by an armed ranger, it takes 2-4 hours walking through the forest upon meeting these human like creatures, an hour is allowed to be with them, interact, take pictures and enjoy them jumping from one tree to another, the chimps have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA, they are characterised by their social behaviour and intelligence.

The Chimpanzee permit in Rwanda costs $150 per person for foreign non residents and $75 for foreign residents per permit, guests are required to pay an extra charge in park entrance of $100 to be allowed to participate in the activity, The rate is determined by the Rwanda Development Board(RDB) who later issue a copy of document to present on the day of tracking, it is advisable to purchase these in time especially during the dry season where tourism is at its peak!

Most travelers wonder if the chimpanzee tracking permit in Rwanda is worth the price! Yes, it is, the experience is of a lifetime and comes with more than just meeting the chimpanzee, within the forest, en route, guests have the chance to encounter primates like the L’hoest Monkeys, black and white colobus monkey, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, owl-faced monkeys, grey-checked mangabey, to mention a few. It offers an opportunity to view most of the primates in their natural ecosystem.

There are high chances of seeing the chimpanzee, and they are affordable. The forest is an ancient kind home to about 500 individuals of chimps, these live within communities between 20-100 members led by a male alpha. The habituated troops are ready for guest visits, notably the Cyamudongo group, which offers high success rates for seeing chimpanzees.

During chimpanzee tracking, sightings of birds are incredible. The park is home to more than 300 species of birds. Some of these are endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley region. Example species include the great blue turaco, red colored Apalis, Albertine owlet, blue-headed sunbird, Neuman’s warbler, and regal sunbirds, among others.

When you purchase a chimpanzee tracking permit, you directly contribute to conservation programs of the local communities projects, which include better healthcare facilities around conservation areas and building better schools for society within which the parks are located, the people of Rwanda are hospitable hence following a chimpanzee tracking safari, visiting them physically offers a great chance to understand their cultures deeper they dance and perform their traditional songs to travelers.

In conclusion, the chimpanzee tracking permit in Rwanda is worth the price, as you have the chance to engage in several activities, not only the primate tracking, but also other things to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park, like colobus monkey tracking and the canopy walk, which are incredible experiences.