Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee habituation experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a newly introduced activity in the park. This activity offers visitors to the park a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend up to four hours with a chimpanzee family in Nyungwe National Park.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to approximately 30 habituated chimpanzee families; however, there are still quite a number of the chimpanzee populations in the forest that haven’t been habituated and therefore are not used to humans. The chimpanzee habituation process allows visitors to track unhabituated chimpanzees, collect data, study the chimpanzees’ behaviors, diet, day range, and so much more, which is then studied by researchers in the park.

The chimpanzee habituation experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park also helps the wild chimpanzees get accustomed to human presence and thereby helps them become less aggressive at the sight of humans in the forest.

Where is Chimpanzee Habituation conducted/done in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

Chimpanzee Habituation experience takes place in Gisovu, situated in the northern part of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Most chimpanzees in Gisovu are not fully habituated; hence, the ongoing habituation experience will enable the chimpanzee families in this part of the park to become familiar with humans over time.

What time does chimpanzee habituation start in Nyungwe National Park?

The chimpanzee habituation experience in Nyungwe forest national park starts at 5 am in the morning and is conducted every day, depending on available slots per day. This is a full-day activity, including locating the chimpanzee groups and spending time monitoring and studying them.

How much is a Chimpanzee Habituation Permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

A chimpanzee habituation permit in Nyungwe National Park costs 200 USD per person for international visitors, 100 USD per person for foreign residents, and 25,000 Rwf for Rwandans and members of the East African Community.

The experience only allows for a maximum of four individuals per day; hence, interested parties are advised to book at least 6 months in advance to avoid any inconveniences that come with late bookings.

What to expect during your chimpanzee habituation experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

Your assigned private guide will wake you up before dawn and serve you breakfast before taking you to the national park’s headquarters. You’ll meet a hiking guide and park rangers here, and you’ll be assigned to a group of a maximum of four individuals.
Each trekking team is restricted to four people and led by a guide and an armed park ranger. You’ll usually always have the option of hiring a porter to accompany you, which might be useful if you have a backpack or photographic equipment, or if you need assistance navigating the muddy terrain.

Around daylight, you’ll usually head down to the forest with the rest of the company. The hike can be difficult owing to the rugged terrain and dense vegetation, but the pace is slow, and the rainforest backdrop, with its many birds and creatures, is fascinating. Your guide will be a wildlife specialist, and you will have lots of opportunities to ask questions throughout the trip.

The duration of your excursion is dependent on the location of the chimps; while trackers go out ahead to locate the troops, it might take anywhere from two hours or more to reach them. When you come across the chimpanzees in Gisovu forest, you generally get an hour to observe them while maintaining a minimum distance of around 7m and confining any conversation to a whisper. If the chimpanzee family is active during your hour, you might be able to track them for a short distance before finally encountering a chimpanzee family, but this depends on pure luck.

Once you have located the chimpanzee, you will spend time monitoring and studying their behaviors, feeding patterns, droppings, and so much more. Given that this is a full-day activity, you are encouraged to carry a packed lunch from your lodge before setting off in the morning.

Upon completion of your chimpanzee habituation experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you will be awarded a certificate of completion by the park.

Where to stay during your Chimpanzee Habituation tour in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

Visitors booking chimpanzee habituation in Nyungwe forest national park can stay at Gisovu guesthouse, which has two cottages and 11 single beds with breakfast served every morning.

What to wear for the Chimpanzee Habituation experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park?

The hiking trails leading to the chimpanzee communities in Gisovu forest in Nyungwe National Park can be slippery and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes. A walking staff or pole might also be handy. Because there may be thorns and heavy foliage along the path, we recommend wearing light clothing in neutral colors, such as long pants and long-sleeved tops; some people bring thick gloves. A waterproof jacket is a good choice because downpours can occur even during the dry season.

A pair of binoculars will also come in handy during your search for the chimpanzee families in Gisovu forest, and hence, better your experience during the chimpanzee habituation excursion. Don’t forget to carry your camera and an extra pair of batteries to capture all the precious moments of your chimpanzee habituation experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park.