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One of the most well-liked primate tracking excursions in Rwanda is chimpanzee tracking, possibly second only to the well-known gorilla trekking. The only area in Rwanda where chimpanzee trekking tours are offered is Nyungwe Forest National Park. This park, which is in the southwest of Rwanda and is roughly five to six hours from Kigali, preserves an old mountain forest that is said to have existed since the end of the ice age, safeguarding a vast biodiversity, with several species discovered to exist exclusively in this forest.

With 13 different kinds of primates identified, including a sizable population of chimpanzees, the closest relatives of humans, Nyungwe National Park is particularly well-known for its abundance of primates. Nyungwe National Park is home to about 500 chimpanzees, making it one of the best places to witness chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Although chimpanzee trekking is not currently offered in the Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Rwanda is home to other chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

In Rwanda, treks with chimpanzees are arranged through Nyungwe Forest. Currently the largest in Africa, this vast expanse of montane rain forest is a fantastic place for conservation and draws academics and researchers interested in studying primates. The Cyamudongo forest is currently a part of the larger Nyungwe Forest National Park, which encompasses the forest. A vital water catchment area in the nation, Nyungwe Forest produces rainfall that replenishes rivers like the Nile in Uganda and others in the Congo. With more than 310 kinds of birds, Nyungwe Forest is an excellent sanctuary. In addition to many other species, birdwatchers may be able to see Rwenzori turacos, purple-breasted sunbirds, Rockefellers’ sunbird, red-collared mountain babblers, and paradise flycatchers.

In many aspects, hiking with chimpanzees differs from trekking with gorillas. Chimpanzees are noisy, obstinate, and highly mobile. Unlike mountain gorillas, they spend much of their time on top of the trees because they are lighter. Gorillas in the mountains are incredibly calm and friendly. They will dine in silence and engage in less provocative and dramatic group interactions. When tracking chimpanzees, one must be physically capable of keeping up with the primates for extended periods of time since they travel quickly across the ground and up trees before settling down.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is available year-round. However, as with most Rwanda vacation activities, there is usually a preferred period of time that is referred to as the ideal time. October through May, the rainy or wet season, is the ideal time of year to go chimpanzee trekking. Because there aren’t any significant downpours, October through February are great times to go chimpanzee trekking. Although June through September are the busiest months of the year because to Rwanda gorilla tours in the Volcanoes National Park, same months are also excellent for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe.

Rwanda has established itself as one of Africa’s top locations for primate tracking. Rwanda is the ideal travel destination for gorilla excursions and chimpanzee trekking, nestled among a thousand hills. Undoubtedly, walking with chimpanzees in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park which includes the woods of Nyungwe and Cyamudongo is one of the most alluring safari experiences. The greatest montane rain forest stretch in Africa is found in Nyungwe Forest, which is home to a variety of plant and animal species. 13 kinds of primates and more than 400 chimpanzees are among them. Chimpanzees are fascinating to observe because they are very clever primates. With roughly 98.7% of human DNA, they are the closest cousins of man after bonobos and share many characteristics. In captivity, chimpanzees are thought to live up to 60 years.

Two groups of chimpanzees have been habituated, or brought accustomed to human presence, for the purpose of chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe. These two groups, which consist of roughly 60 people and 30 chimpanzees each, reside in the Nyungwe and Cyamudongo woods. The Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking begins extremely early in the morning, and your guide will let you know when you need to get up. It may be as early as 5:00 am.

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