Nyungwe Chimp Trek: Discover Rwanda's Habituated Chimps

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Nyungwe Forest Chimp Trek – 4 Days

4 day Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe Forest Reserve.

Noisy and curious, intelligent and social, the chimpanzee is the mammal most closely related to a human than to any other living creature. Chimpanzee share more than 98% of their genetic code with human beings.

The chimpanzee has a thickset body with long arms, short legs and no tail. Much of the body is covered with long black hair, but the face, ears, fingers and toes are bare. They have hands that can grip firmly, allowing them to pick up objects. The discovery that they used “tools” for certain purposes surprised the world.

itinerary details

Chimps live in groups called troops, of some 30 to 80 individuals. These large groups are made up of smaller, very flexible groups of just a few animals, perhaps all females, all males or a mixed group.

Prior to Jane Goodall’s study in Gombe Stream National Park, very little was known about the intelligent and social behaviour of the chimpanzee. Thanks to the ongoing work by the Jane Goodall Institute, more research is being done into the behaviour and conservation of this endangered primate.

Day 1: Kigali City Tour
Day 2: Nyungwe Forest
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking
Day 4: Departure

Day 1: Kigali City Tour

Arrive at the Kigali Airport and later be transferred to Kigali to carry out a city tour. You will pay a visit at the genocide museum, local markets, art and craft shops, pottery projects and many other places.

Accommodation options available

Up-market: Step Town Hotel

Moderate: Flame Tree Hotel

Low Budget: Serena Kigali Hotel

Day 2: Nyungwe Forest

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Have a visit the old palace in Nyanza on your way to the park.

Accommodation options available

Upmarket: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge

Mid-range: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe

Lower Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe

Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking

An early morning breakfast, and later proceed to Nyungwe Forest at 6:00 am to search for chimpanzees. You will also track the colobus monkeys in the forest and have a chance to view the other inhabitants of the forest like birds, reptiles and butterflies.

You may decide to have an optional guided walk in the forest.

Accommodation options available

Upmarket: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge

Mid-range: Chimpanzee lodge Nyungwe

Lower Budget: Chimpanzee lodge Nyungwe

Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner

Day 4: Departure

Return to Kigali. Visit the cultural museum in Butare en route.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight.

Gorilla permits (each at US$1500)
Chimpanzee viewing permits
Meals indicated on programme
Experienced driver/guide
Accommodation as per programme
Park fees for the various parks
Transport on tour as well as hotel transfers
Entrance fees for tours mentioned in the programme
Boat rides as on the programme

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