Chimpanzee Permits in Nyungwe Forest National Park are the documents required for one to be permitted to track the primates in the conservation area, they are issued by the Rwanda Development Board an entity that governs the protected areas of Rwanda. The Nyungwe forest is renowned for many primate species notable for the Chimpanzee, other primate types include large troops of black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, pottos, bush babies to mention a few and over 300 Species of birds some of which are endemics of the great Albertine rift valley region and the Virunga stretch.
Nyungwe forest is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, standing in few remaining Afromontane forests said to have survived the ice age era. The perfect blend of its hilly mountainous landscape, plant species, trees, marshy swampy areas offers a perfect home to animals that call this home, besides the primates other animals present in Nyungwe include African buffaloes, forest elephants, antelopes, civet cats although they are rarely seen and birds for example Rwenzori turaco, Kivu ground thrush, sunbirds among others.
Chimpanzees are the main residents of the Nyungwe Forest National Park they are situated in the forest areas of the Cyamudongo and Gisakura habituated troops and wild chimps live in the ecosystem freely without being captivated, they are characterized by their unique intelligence and the close resemblance to mankind they have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA, chimpanzee love to nest in the tree canopies and are quite messy eaters feeding on the forest plants, fruits, leaves, tree backs and occasionally hunt small animals for meat.
A Chimpanzee permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park will enable you to participate in the day’s event, the main reason for visiting the forest chimpanzee tracking begins at the park headquarters with a briefing from the rangers, to access the starting point guests are required to be super early as of 5:30 am such that they can make it for the tracking of 6:30 am. All activities begin at the Umwinka visitor center and with the lead of a ranger you will be guided into the forest to find the primates getting a closer look at man’s closest relative is phenomenal, they proceed to do their day-to-day activity without minding the presence of humans, an hour is allowed to interact with the species after which you return.
Permit fees as per the Rwanda Development Board are categorized into individual types foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and East African citizens. They are charged $150 for foreign non-residents, $75 for foreign residents, and $25 charged for East African citizens. It is important to purchase permits before the tracking time to avoid missing out and inconveniences.
In conclusion, Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park can be done together with other park activities for example canopy walk, birding in Nyungwe forest, and guided nature walks. Trips to the conservation area can also be done to gather with those of other national parks like the Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorillas and Akagera National Park for wildlife experiences.