DISCOVER RWANDA
Primate Safaris in Rwanda
Primates Safaris in Rwanda are by far the most sought after wildlife experiences by tourists visiting the country. Of course while planning your primate safari to Rwanda, you will expect to see both primates like golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, as well as Great Apes such as Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
About Primate Safaris in Rwanda.
You might just want to know that all primate safaris in Rwanda are majorly conducted in Volcanoes National Park for mainly Gorilla and golden monkey trekking safaris; and Nyungwe Forest national park for chimpanzee and primate trekking especially Black and white colobus monkey trekking.
OUR PRIMATE SAFARIS
What to expect on a Primate Safari in Rwanda?
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorillas, one of the world’s most beloved creatures, may now wander their native habitats relatively undisturbed. With restricted foraging and breeding habitat, gorillas have sought refuge in protected areas in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rangers at Volcanoes national park serve as sentinels, constantly on the lookout for anyone with the intent to hurt or capture a gorilla. Because of the high amount of protection that these African primates have, very few people get to view them in the wild. Those who do, however, recognize that the experience is much more than a casual safari activity—it is, in fact, a rare privilege.
As your guide suggests that your group is near to a family of spectacular, solitary mountain gorillas, your senses sharpen. The faint rustling of leaves draws your attention to the deep forest ahead. You silently go forward and kneel down, following your guide’s meticulous directions. A bizarre and extremely intriguing image is framed by deep green vegetation: a big silverback male sits peacefully while maintaining watch over his gorilla offspring. He seems disinterested, but your gut tells you that he is quietly alert.
Two females and numerous offspring are grooming and munching on juicy bamboo stalks near the dominating giant. A little newborn struggles to grasp a branch just inches above them. You are struck by his awkward agility and resolve. For the next 60 minutes, you sit in awe of the gorillas, catching every available moment with your camera. The monkeys’ human-like mannerisms and personal interactions earn them a lasting place in your heart and memory.
When your guide indicates that it is time to leave the gorillas, you feel as though you are leaving members of your own family behind. Mountain gorilla treks are both informative and melancholy for our tourists, but they are always the ultimate holiday experience in Rwanda’s mountain forests parks. You are needed to follow well specified standards in order to have a greater encounter with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. You must be at least 15 years old and in good physical condition. The health need is not just to satisfy the trek’s demands, but also to keep the gorillas from getting flu, colds, or other infectious illnesses that may be spread from people to primates.
When you’re near the gorillas, your guide will tell you to keep at least seven meters (22 feet) away from them. This provision guarantees that the gorillas are not threatened and that any diseases they may carry are not transmitted to you. The Rwandan Development Board, which is in charge of mountain gorilla conservation, has imposed a daily maximum of 96 permits for tourists who want to go on hikes to observe the primates. We recommend that you prepare ahead of time because this is the most popular activity among tourists to Rwanda, and permits sell out rapidly.
Tracking Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.
While mountain gorillas in Rwanda give our clients with a calm experience in the rainforest, you may also want to finish out your primate safari in Rwanda with a high-paced primate activity. Fortunately, Rwanda is home to a number of smaller species that will keep you entertained with their antics and constant activity in the treetops, such as the rare and endangered golden monkeys, a subspecies of the more widespread Sykes’ or blue monkeys.
The most distinguishing characteristic of these primates is their dark golden-orange eyes, which are framed by short, silky grey fur, a black stripe down the nose, and white-grey whiskers around the lips. The monkeys’ remarkable coloration continues with longer, mottled orange and black fur on the face and a tuft of black fur on top of the skull. The nape of the neck, arms, and legs are black fur, while the back is golden-orange fur that matches the eyes and extends down most of the tail, save for a black tip.
Golden monkeys have personalities as vibrant as their apparel. They spend the majority of their time scampering across the forest canopy, only stopping to munch on something fragile or simply stare down at humans on the ground. Because the Rwandan government has not imposed a restriction on the number of visitors per day, golden-monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park is easy to incorporate into your primate safari in Rwanda.
However, because the monkeys are uncommon and endangered, we recommend that you take the same care as you would for mountain gorilla trekking. You will be separated into groups of no more than eight people, with each group allocated to one of the habituated golden monkey armies. Each troop includes between 80 and 100 men, with the first unit being stationed at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Around 500 chimpanzees dwell in units of varied sizes under the deep canopy of trees that dominate Nyungwe Forest. Two of them are accustomed to people, albeit not as calm as the mountain gorillas. The largest unit, numbering roughly 60 individuals, lives in the main forest- Nyungwe, where the terrain is rather tough. The second group, the Cyamudongo forest, is roughly half the size of the first and lives just outside in a smaller tract of forests. On the morning of your walk, you will be allocated to a certain troop. Your devoted private guide will wake you up well before sunrise and serve you a light breakfast before driving you to the national park’s headquarters. You’ll meet a hiking guide and park rangers here, and you’ll be assigned to one of the two monkey troops.
Each trekking group is limited to eight individuals and is led by a guide and an armed park ranger. You’ll almost always have the option of hiring a porter to accompany you, which might be beneficial if you have a backpack or photography equipment, or if you want someone to help you navigate the muddy trails. The length of your chimpanzee trekking excursion is determined on the location of the chimps; while trackers go out ahead to identify the troops, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to reach them.
When you come across the chimpanzees, you usually get an hour to study them while keeping a minimum distance of roughly 7m and any talk to a whisper. If the chimps are active during your hour, you may be able to follow them for a short distance before returning to the park headquarters and arriving at your lodge in time for lunch. You don’t have to be super-fit to go chimpanzee trekking, but it does assist if you have a fair general level of fitness, if only to appreciate the experience more.
Walking will be at a slow pace, with stops as needed; this is crucial because you will be hiking at an altitude of 1,600m to 2,950m. Depending on whose troop you monitor and the time of year, you may be wandering through the forest for many hours or reaching the chimps after a 30-minute stroll. It is however important for you to note that the age limit for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda is 15 years and above.
Black and White Colobus Monkey Trekking in Nyungwe Forest.
Nyungwe Forest’s battalions of Rwenzori black-and-white colobus monkeys, Colobus angiogenesis Rwenzori, are the largest in Africa, often totaling several hundred individuals. They live, dine, and sleep high in the trees, making them difficult to view, yet this is one of the few sites in the world where sightings are almost assured. The deep forest canopy that dominates Nyungwe Forest is home to enormous troops of colobus that can number 300 or more individuals, however the group visited on this hike is smaller. With their black fur and flowing white hair, they can produce quite a sight, which is accentuated by the colorful forest bird species.
The colobus monkey walks take place throughout the morning and day, with the first commencing about 8 a.m. Your specialized private guide will transport you from your safari lodge to the national park’s headquarters. You will be met here by a hiking guide and park guards. Each trekking group is limited to ten individuals and is led by a guide and an armed park ranger.
Your hike takes you across rolling hills covered in luscious tea plantations before arriving at a small, secluded piece of forest. This is surrounded by a pathway that rises around it and is backed by tea bushes, providing a nice vantage point to watch the monkeys high in the trees. Your guide will be a wildlife expert, and you will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions about the monkeys as well as the larger habitat.
The length of each trek is determined by the position of the monkeys, who are typically easy to locate. When you come across the monkeys, you usually have up to an hour to view them while keeping any discussion to a whisper. If the animals are on the move at this time, you can follow them along the route before returning to the park headquarters and your lodging.
Can elderly people track primates/great apes in Rwanda?
If you are 45 years and older, you are often assigned to groups that stay near the foot of the mountains, while younger, more athletic trekkers are assigned to groups that tackle the more difficult treks to higher elevations.
One of the 12 gorilla families has been assigned to your group. If you are familiar with the mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, you can request a group for that specific family of primates. Before you begin your trip to view the gorillas, you will be instructed on basic trekking and mountain gorilla etiquette to ensure that you have the best possible experience. You should be back at the base by early evening.
When is the best time for primate safaris in Rwanda?
Primate safaris in Rwanda are possible all year. While the terrain is more difficult during the wet seasons: April-May and November, primate trekking activities are most popular during the dry months, between December and February, and from roughly June to mid-September.
What is the age limit for primate trekking safaris in Rwanda?
Most primate trekking excursions like chimpanzee, golden monkey and gorilla trekking are restricted to persons aged 15 years and above. However, black and white colobus trekking can be done by individuals aged 12 years and above.
What to pack during Primate Safaris in Rwanda?
Paths on monkey excursions can be slick and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes. A walking stick or pole may also be useful (they are supplied at the start). As there may be thorns and heavy foliage along the path, we recommend wearing light clothing in neutral colors, with long pants and long-sleeved tops; some people even bring thick gloves. A waterproof jacket is an excellent choice because downpours can occur even during the dry season. The lodges can typically rent out trekking equipment if you wish.
A set of binoculars will typically improve your experience significantly, especially if you see the chimpanzees up in the trees, and many people believe a camera to be essential.
Porters are available for a minimal cost of roughly US$10 to carry your bags and assist you through difficult portions of the trek. Even if you don’t actually need them, hiring a porter is a nice way to contribute directly to the local economy, and conversing with them en route may enrich your experience of both local life and your hike, but keep in mind that their English isn’t always as strong as the guides’.
Before leaving for the national park, you’ll be served a small breakfast at your lodge, but no meals are included on the trip. Your lodge will normally serve you with a packed breakfast if you ask the day before. Remember to bring lots of water (your guide will have extra). You might also wish to bring a snack for added energy!
