How to book a chimpanzee permit in Rwanda (Step by Step)
How to book a chimpanzee permit in Rwanda
Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda is a fascinating experience that is most sought after by adventure lovers. It takes place in 2 destinations of the country, including the Nyungwe Forest National Park and the Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Chimpanzees are best tracked in Nyungwe, the forest is named among Africa’s oldest rain forests extending into the Kibira National Park of Burundi, it covers an area space of 1019 square kilometres known for the chimpanzee, besides the chimpanzee the forest is home to other primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, grey checked mangabey and over 300 species of birds.
Booking a chimpanzee in Rwanda is an easy process if you follow the procedure. The chimpanzee permit is an official document issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to enable guests to participate in the chimpanzee tracking session, every traveler as a must requires a permit, this is costed at $150 per person for foreign non residents, $75 foreign residents and $25 for East African citizens, besides these fees there is an additional park fees to the permit of about $100 per person.
Steps of how to book a chimpanzee permit in Rwanda include identifying the date that you would like to travel and do the primates, keeping in mind that when you are considering chimpanzee tracking, guests need to be at the location a day before, as the activity starts in the early morning.
Check permit availability with the Rwanda Development Board. Depending on the season, it is possible for permits not to be available on the dates you have chosen, hence very important to check if they are available before confirmation.
Payment of the permit is the last step, and issuing payments is made in full and is nonrefundable. Purchases are best done by a licensed tour operator; they pay for the permits on behalf of clients. For transparency, a copy of the receipts is scanned and shared with the guest. When booking a permit, you are encouraged to choose a company that has a good reputation, has been in business for at least 2 years, and is transparent with communication.
It is recommended to book permits in advance, especially during the tourism peak season, to avoid missing out. The high season in Rwanda happens in January, February, December, June, July, August, September, and early October. During this time, many people are traveling as it is convenient and the best time to visit Rwanda.
Chimpanzee tracking takes place beginning at the Uwinka visitor center with a briefing from the park rangers by 5:00 am, it takes 2-4 hours doing the activity in groups of 8 people, upon meeting the primates an hour is allowed while to take picture, enjoy chimps swing from 1 tree to another, the chimpanzee has been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA, characterised by their social behaviour and intelligence.
Besides chimpanzee tracking, other activities can be combined, for example, the famous canopy walk along a 50-meter suspended bridge, a birding experience in the forest, hikes, guided nature walks, and colobus monkey tracking.
Nyungwe Forest National Park can be reached by road or by Air; it takes approximately 6 hours to drive to the southern park of Rwanda. Guests have the chance to stop by the Nyanza province for a great history of the Rwandan kingdom. What to pack during a chimpanzee tracking safari includes long-sleeved shirts and trousers, T-shirts, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, sunscreen, insect repellents, backpacks, water bottles, and any other important items of a personal nature.