How Likely Are You to See Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest?

How Likely Are You to See Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

if you’re planning a trip to Rwanda and wondering about your chances of spotting chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you’re not alone. Nyungwe is a lush, ancient rainforest renowned for its incredible biodiversity, including a thriving population of chimpanzees—the park’s star primates. While chimpanzees live naturally in this environment, it’s important to remember they are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed.

How Likely Is It to See Chimpanzees in Nyungwe?

Generally, your chances of spotting chimpanzees during a trek in Nyungwe are quite high—around 99%. However, several factors can affect this:

• Time of Day: Chimpanzees are most active during daylight hours, especially early morning, which is the best time to track and observe them.

• Experienced Trackers: The park offers expert-led chimpanzee trekking tours. Experienced guides and trackers know the chimpanzees’ habits and movements, which greatly increases your chances of seeing them.

• Season: During the dry season (June to September and December to February), chimpanzees often gather near water sources, making sightings easier. Still, the forest’s dense canopy can sometimes make them hard to spot.

• Nature of the Forest: Because chimpanzees roam freely, each encounter depends on patience and a bit of luck—some visitors spot them quickly, others may need more time.

• Conservation Efforts: To protect the chimpanzees, the park limits the number of trekkers per group, helping reduce disturbance and stress to the animals.

Even if you don’t get to see the chimpanzees up close, Nyungwe Forest offers an amazing chance to explore one of Africa’s richest ecosystems, filled with diverse wildlife, spectacular scenery, and unique plant life.

What to Expect During a Chimpanzee Trek in Nyungwe Forest

Chimpanzee trekking is an unforgettable adventure that lets you observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. In Nyungwe Forest National Park, trekking begins early in the morning with small groups of up to eight people. Like gorilla trekking, this intimate experience allows you to watch chimpanzees play, feed, and interact, witnessing their remarkable behaviors and social dynamics firsthand.

Nyungwe receives many visitors each year eager to meet these close relatives of humans—chimpanzees share about 98.7% of our DNA! The forest is also conveniently located near Volcanoes National Park, so you can easily combine chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking without long drives.

How Does Chimpanzee Trekking Work in Nyungwe?

Trekking groups start from one of three main reception centers: Uwinka, Kitabi, or Gisakura. Early morning, you’ll meet your ranger guides who lead you into the forest. Skilled trackers go ahead daily to locate the chimpanzee nests, guiding the rangers to where the chimps are resting or active.

You’ll spend about one hour with the chimpanzees, watching them interact, vocalize with loud calls and tree drumming, and display their human-like traits. It’s a rare chance to connect with wildlife in one of Africa’s oldest forests.

Chimpanzee Trekking Permits and Costs

Nyungwe Forest issues only 64 chimpanzee trekking permits per day, helping to protect the animals and preserve the trekking experience. The permit costs USD 90 per person—significantly more affordable than gorilla trekking permits, which are priced around USD 1500.

This fee covers park entrance, your ranger and guide, and support from trackers. Permits are managed by the Rwanda Development Board and must be booked well in advance, as they sell out quickly. To check availability and secure your permits, you can contact Trek Africa Expeditions, who handle all the arrangements efficiently.

Where to Stay Near Nyungwe Forest National Park?

Nyungwe is surrounded by a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences:

• One & Only Nyungwe House: A luxurious retreat with rates from USD 750 to 2000 per person per night.

• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel: Mid-range comfort at around USD 300 per person per night.

• Nyungwe Forest Lodge and Gisakura Guest House: More affordable options averaging USD 200 per person per night.

For the best experience, we recommend staying at least two nights to fully enjoy the park and its surroundings.

Why Book Your Nyungwe Trip with Trek Africa Expeditions?

Trek Africa Expeditions is a trusted local tour operator based in Uganda with extensive experience across East Africa. We specialize in sustainable, life-changing travel experiences and have a strong partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, making it easy to secure your chimpanzee permits and plan your visit.

Our transparent pricing and personalized service have earned us great reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot. Whether you’re visiting Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, or Burundi, we tailor every trip to your needs with no hidden fees.

Let Trek Africa Expeditions help you plan and book your unforgettable adventure to Nyungwe Forest National Park — a journey you’ll cherish for a lifetime.