The cost of Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda-Nyungwe
The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda – Nyungwe National Park, with headquarters in Uwinka, includes several key factors. For accommodation, staying within or near the park is essential for attending briefings, and with limited options, advance booking is crucial. Cyamudondo, on the outskirts of Nyungwe, offers encounters with semi-habituated chimpanzees. Transportation expenses are significant, as road travel is the primary mode within the park. Hiring a 4×4 vehicle is necessary, along with covering fuel, driver guide fees, and other transportation costs. Overall, planning a chimpanzee safari in Nyungwe requires budgeting for both accommodation and transportation to ensure a successful and memorable experience.
The Chimpanzee Permit Cost
Regardless of the budget category (budget, upscale, mid-range, or primary), the cost of the chimpanzee permit remains constant. As of now, the Rwanda chimpanzee permit is priced at $250 per person. This fee covers ranger guide fees, security, chimpanzee conservation, local community support, and one hour spent with the chimpanzees. Exclusions from the permit cost include park entrance fees, treats, transport, and other personal expenses.
Accommodation Costs during Chimpanzee Safaris in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park offers limited accommodation facilities for chimpanzee safaris. Options range from luxury to mid-range and primary facilities. Securing accommodation before options run out is crucial, especially during peak seasons when demand is high. Accommodations include Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisaku Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, and Gisaku Family Hostel. Some accommodations offer various meal plans, including full board, half board, bed and breakfast, or bed only.
Cost of Transport to Nyungwe National Park
Road travel is the most common way to reach Nyungwe National Park. Hiring a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle with an experienced driver guide is necessary, with costs covering gas, vehicle hire, driver guide fees, mechanical damage, and other related expenses. Charter flights from Kigali Airport to Nyungwe National Park are an alternative, but advance booking is essential.
Additional Activities to Combine with Chimpanzee Safaris
Apart from chimpanzee safaris, visitors can engage in various Rwanda safari activities. Costs for activities such as game safaris in Akagera National Park include park entrance fees. Other options include Rwanda birding, a Kigali city tour, a canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park, and golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking is a popular activity, but a separate permit is required, with costs varying for foreign nonresidents, foreign residents, and East Africans.
At Iconic Africa Safaris Ltd, factors like the number of days on the chimpanzee safari, the time of booking, and the number of people in the group are considered when determining costs.
Number of Days on Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda
The minimum duration for a chimpanzee safari in Rwanda is two days. The first day involves the drive to Nyungwe National Park, while the second day includes chimpanzee trekking and departure. It’s advisable to book the morning session of the chimpanzee safari to allow time for the return journey to Kigali airport, especially if departing on the same day.
Time of Booking the Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda
The cost of a chimpanzee safari in Rwanda tends to rise during peak seasons, such as June, July, August, September, December, and January, due to high permit demand. Iconic Africa Safaris recommends purchasing permits in advance to secure availability. In contrast, the wet season (March, April, May, and November) is considered the low season, with lower demand for permits. While permits may be available last minute during this period, it’s not guaranteed.
Discounts during Low Season and Number of People
Booking gorilla permits for the low season, with at least two nights in Nyungwe National Park or Akagera National Park, may result in a 10% discount on the total permit cost. The Rwanda gorilla permit, originally priced at $1500 per person, can be discounted to $1050 per person during the low season. Additionally, the per-person cost for a chimpanzee safari decreases when more people are included in the booking, as shared expenses like car hire, fuel costs, and accommodation are divided.
Age Limit for Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda
The age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and over, as the adventure involves walking in the jungle. Children below 15 years may find it challenging to cope with the forest conditions.
Are Rwanda Chimpanzees Aggressive?
No, Rwanda chimpanzees are not aggressive because they are first habituated to human presence. Despite being semi-habituated, it’s crucial to adhere to the rules of chimpanzee trekking as explained during the briefing by ranger guides. While habituated, chimpanzees retain their natural traits, so it’s essential not to provoke them. Chimpanzees share about 98% of human genes, experiencing mood swings when agitated. When angered, chimpanzees exhibit behaviors such as hooting, beating tree trunks, pulling grass, and walking on one foot. In such situations, it’s advised not to panic and wait for ranger guides to assess the situation.
Best Time to See Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee safaris in Nyungwe National Park are available throughout the year, but the dry season is preferred for better visibility as chimpanzees feed closer to the ground. The dry season is also the high tourism season in Rwanda, leading to increased demand for chimpanzee permits. As only a limited number of permits (four per day) are available, early booking is recommended. The wet seasons of March, April, May, and November are considered low seasons for Rwanda chimpanzee permits. While demand may be low, it’s still advisable to purchase permits in advance to ensure availability.
