Best time for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park

Best time for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park, Besides gorilla tracking, another thrilling and well-liked wildlife adventures in Rwanda is chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzees are another group of apes regarded as closest living relatives of humans, it is fascinating to see them up close and learn about their similarities to humans in terms of appearance, social interactions, communication, and organization. chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda is done in the dense equatorial forests of Nyungwe Forest National Park.

The Republic of Rwanda recognized Nyungwe Forest as a National Park in 2004. This park hosts over 13 primate species, supports 320 bird species and around 1068 plant species, all of which make up the diverse ecosystem of the forest. Many travelers/ tourists visit Nyungwe National Park to see chimps. However, the park has more activities and wonders beyond the chimps including, the spectacular canopy walk, it is a 160-meter-long, 70-meter-high suspension bridge, bird watching, black and white colobus monkey tracking, hiking along nature trails within the park and guided visits to tea plantations among others.

Nyungwe forest national park houses over 500 chimpanzees. Two groups have been habituated and can be approached by humans for tourism purposes. One troop is found in the main Nyungwe forest and the other in Cyamudongo, a small stretch of forest park to the east.

The chimpanzee tracking experience.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park usually starts at three reception centers, Kitabi, Uwinka (the main centre), and Gisakura. At the centers, all travelers have the opportunity to meet park ranger guides. All participants/trekkers are expected to get up as early 4:30am and make sure that by 5:00am, they have reached their designated centers which are the starting point of the trek. at the park Centre, you are taken through a briefing and later led by park guides and rangers to search for the shy primates.

Because these animals tend keep on moving from different sites while searching for food and shelter, the activity takes 2-5 hours depending on their location. as you hike along the park trails, searching for the chimpanzees, you will luckily spot many different wildlife species such as the L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, forest elephants, duikers, and other creatures, while not neglecting the bird species. Once the chimpanzee troop is found, you will have a one-hour to observe them as they go about their daily routines. This includes activities such as nursing their young, playing, mating, fighting, hunting, grooming their offspring’s.

Having taken photos and videos, you will make your way back to the starting point to meet your driver guides.

Best time to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park

The best time to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest National Park is the early morning hours, that’s why visitors are advised to get up as early as 4:30 am and by 5:00am, they must be at the park center to start their trek.

When thinking about how to break down the months to determine the optimal time to track chimpanzees, It is important to remember that Rwanda experiences two separate seasons—the wet and the dry. So, the time you schedule your chimpanzee trekking safari largely depends on one’s interests.

Dry or peak season

June to September

This period is dry and regarded as a peak season for tourism. During these months the forest trails are less slippery and easier to traverse, visibility is optimal due to the reduced vegetation growth thus providing conducive trekking conditions.

However, the trekking time tends to be longer because the chimps move deeper into the jungles to search for food. This period also attracts more crowds and raised accommodation costs.

December to February

These months present another short dry season. They have stable weather patterns, reduced precipitation, the forest remains lush, vibrant thus providing reliable conditions for trekking and canopy walk excursions.

The Wet/rainy or low season. (also referred to as the shoulder season)

March to May

These months mark the beginning of the long rains, In March, there may be some rain, but you may still have a pleasant chimpanzee trekking safari experience. April can be quite wet.

Though wet, March, April, and May are considered the best months for chimpanzee trekking in in Rwanda because of the lush green scenery and less crowds, resulting in a calmer safari experience. Rain is usually irregular, and some hours of the day are bright, this helps the chimps to remain active and visible.

The abundance of fruits and green vegetation that act as food for the chimps, helps trekkers to spot them easily as they are calm and don’t move into deep jungles.

However, trekkers should be prepared to traverse muddy trails and expect rain during their encounters as these creatures reside in a dense tropical rain forest where rain pours are expected at any time of the day.

October to November

This is a short rainy season, with unpredictable weather changes but attracts less crowds and reduced accommodation costs.

What to pack for your Chimpanzee tracking safari in Rwanda.

Regardless of the season in which you schedule your chimpanzee tracking safari, the following essentials should not miss your pack.
A chimpanzee trekking permit: This is a legal document that allows to trek to the chimpanzees and allow you stay in their presence for one hour. In Rwanda, a chimpanzee permit costs $250. This price includes the permit cost and park entrance fees.
Comfortable hiking boots to help you traverse the varying jungle terrain and muddy surfaces.
Long socks tucked in long trousers to prevent insect bites.
Long sleeved shirts and pants to keep your body warm and protect your plant scratches and insect bites.
Garden gloves will protect your hands from germs and pinches from handling thorny and stinging plants.
Waterproof jackets to keep you dry in case it rains during the trekking activity.
Insect repellent to protect you from insect bites and stings when hiking because the jungle harbors insects such as bees, tsetse flies, safari ants, and mosquitos, among others.
During the dry season, a hat and sunglasses will protect your head from direct sunlight.
The walking stick provided at the starting point is useful for support during hiking, particularly on steep slopes, and slippery surfaces.
Energizing snacks and packed drinking water to keep you energetic and hydrated during the trek.
Cameras and binoculars for photography