Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is the most popular activity of the conservation area, the park is one of the few oldest montane forests of Africa first recognized as a forest and later elevated to a national park status in 2004. It is beautifully placed along Rwanda’s border with the democratic republic of Congo and Burundi. The large forest is a great place to see chimpanzees while on your Rwanda safari, there are about 400 individuals living within the forest, and it is a magical experience to come face to face with man’s closet relatives in their natural homesteads passing through the growing forest tree canopies, the populations of primates here are some of the most undisturbed chimpanzee groups of East Africa.
The forest region of the Cyamudongo is where chimpanzee tracking takes place sectioned as Umwika and the Gisakura, Chimpanzees have been scientifically proven to share up to 98 % of the human DNA, and they are described as intelligent according to research in some incidences, they have been sighted using tools to collect insects, for example, termites from ant hills, they are social and have got a range of diet feeding on the forest plants, fruits, and occasionally small monkeys, they nest in the tree canopies and live in troops of up to 100 members led by a male Alpha.
Chimpanzee Tracking in the Nyungwe Forest National Park begins super early at 5:30 am guests need to be transferred to the conservation area as there is a distance to reach the park headquarters where briefing is conducted from 6:30 am, in groups of 8 members you will be guided through the forest lead by a game ranger, they are armed for protection of animal attack in case, through the trails of the forest you search for man’s closet relatives, upon finding the primate species, an hour is allowed to interact, take pictures, and enjoy them do their day today activities without being interrupted, while in the forest expect to see more than just chimpanzee for example en route it is possible to meet large troops of the black and white colobus monkeys.
When considering chimpanzee tracking in the Nyungwe Forest National Park, it is important to have the right dress code and things to use for example pack long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, hiking boots, gaiters, ponchos, insect repellants and any other items that you might find useful during a hike.
Chimpanzee tracking can be done any time of the year but is best during the dry season between December –February and June – September when the trails are much drier and easier to hike, it is also a high tourism season hence expect many travellers to be a part of your trekking session. Other activities to do while alongside the chimpanzee tracking experience include guided nature walks, canopy walks, and birding in the protected conservation area.
Chimpanzee tracking safari in Rwanda can be combined with a gorilla and wildlife experience in the volcanoes and Akagera National Park.