Chimpanzee Trekking
Nyungwe national park is a UNESCO world heritage site known for its biodiversity, housing over 500 chimpanzees among the 13 primate species. Chimpanzee trekking in nyungwe national park is an activity that makes you follow trails which lead you to a point where the chimpanzees are.
The chimpanzees are under the great ape native which is the same group as the endangered mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas share 99.8% of the human DNA thus making chimpanzee’s to be close to the human race. The chimpanzees stay within the savannah lands of Africa. Chimpanzee trekking is done in two national parks and that is nyungwe national park and gishwati Mukuru national park. the chimpanzee trekking that is done from Nyungwe forest start from the three reception centres of the park depending on which is close.
Chimpanzees are similar to the endangered mountain gorillas but they tend to differ in a number of ways such us the chimpanzees are too playful and jumpier compared to the gorillas. The chimpanzees and gorillas make new nests every night but chimpanzees build their nests at the top of the trees.
CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Nyungwe national park has two fully habituated families and one is found around Uwinka and the big group is found in Nyungwe a fragmented forest. The trekking of chimpanzees depends on how the group is behaving and the condition they are in. In case the chimpanzees are on a move, it becomes tiresome for the trekkers since you will be moving behind them. But in most cases, you find them relaxing or eating. This is the best chance of seeing them one by one and gets to know more of their behaviours and what identifies them from the other.
The trekking can last 30minutes to 6hours depending on the chimpanzee’s location. Tourists tend to spend an hour observing the chimpanzees within their natural habitat, witnessing their behaviours such as feeding, social interactions and grooming their young ones. Treks are led by an experienced guide and trackers who are familiar with the chimpanzees’ habits and the forest trails
Tourist booked for the trekking experience is required to be at the park headquarters for a briefing as early as 4; 30am and 5am. After the briefing, the tourists head out to the starting of the trek. The trek which starts from Uwinka centre starts at 5;30 and this trekking group heads out to a group of about 6 chimpanzees living in a family.
In Cyamudongo forest, there are 30 and above individuals that can be seen while on a visit. The trekkers in Cyamudongo start at 5am and will set off from Gisakura office. The office is close to the gisakura visitor’s centre which is a 1hr and 30 minutes’ drive.
HOW TO PURCHASE A PERMIT FOR CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
Nyungwe forest national park is under the management of the African parks and booking is done ahead of the activity. Cash payments aren’t accepted at the park’s reception. Therefore, every tourist is expected to pay for the permits in advance before arrival and show invoices and proof of payment on arrival at the park.
Tourists can as well book for chimpanzee trekking permit through trusted tour operators and have the best experience of the activity.
Chimpanzee trekking activity is available for booking at any time of the year for all individuals aged 16 and above.
GUICELINES FOR CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN NYUNGWE FOREST
- Maximum group size of 8 tourists is recommended per trek.
- Tourists should keep a distance from the primates to avoid transmission of diseases to the primates.
- Feeding the chimpanzee’s packed food is prohibited because it can make the primates sick which is considered as a threat to these individuals.
- While taking pictures, it’s advised not to use phones with a flash which may tend to scare away the primates and make them aggressive.
- Littering within the park during the trekking activity is greatly prohibited because it may danger the primates.
- Unnecessary noise should be avoided because it can scare off the primates.
- Unnecessary movements during contacts with the primates should be avoided.
- Tourists should follow the lead guide to avoid any accidents within the park since the primates are wild animals and can easily attack them.
WHAT TO CARRY FOR CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
Tourist are informed on what to carry as they come for their trekking experience in nyungwe national park and these include;
- Hiking shoes to ease the tourists hiking adventure within the park. this is because some hiking trails can be slippery thus one should carry good hiking shoes.
- Insect repellent shouldn’t miss. Nyungwe national park has a number of insects like mosquitoes which can spread diseases such as malaria thus an insect repellent is an important item.
- Light clothes. During the hike in the forest, it’s advisable to put on light clothes to smoothen the trekking experience. Heavy clothes can slow one down during the other activities in the park.
- A camera is optional but for memory keeping purposes, one is encouraged to carry it. This helps to keep and capture beautiful memories.
- Garden gloves help during the trek because you might touch a thorny tree without knowing. The gloves as well protect you from getting germs.
- Energy snacks should be carried such as packed lunch and drinking water to keep you energised.
- Long sleeved shirt and trouser which helps in protecting the body from getting hurt since trekking in the forest full of thorny trees.
- Warm sweater which will give you warmth especially during morning and evening hours due to the fact that the national park is a rainforest.
- Walking stick. As tourists prepare for chimpanzee trekking, they a given walking sticks which help in giving support while trekking in the jungle especially during the rainy season.
- Long socks that will be tucked into the long trousers so as to avoid from safari ants which might enter your trousers during trekking.
- Back pack which will be used to keep all the items for the chimpanzee trekking activity such as camera, batteries, insect repellent, snacks and drinking water.
- Porters are always at the starting point and in case one needs to be helped by carrying their backpack or giving a pull and push during the chimpanzee trekking. These can be hired at the starting point.
The best time to see the chimpanzees is the early morning which means you can wake up at around 4:00 and 4:30am and be at one of the three reception centres of nyungwe national park depending on your location. By 5am, one should be at the starting point of trekking.
In the months of June, July to late August because fig trees are rich in fruits making this a blooming period. This is the perfect time to have the chimpanzee trekking.