Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is a popular African travel destination where you can plan specialized gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking safari tours. Since there are only approximately 1000 Gorillas remaining worldwide, the ubiquitous appeal of gorilla tours in Rwanda is not surprising. Planning ahead of time, however, is crucial for these types of tours. Specifically, it’s necessary to book the required permits for both gorilla and chimpanzee tracking well over a year in advance since there is a limited number of permits that can be issued per day.

Gorillas

Consider embarking on a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The bamboo-adorned slopes of the Virunga Mountains in northern Rwanda are home to these remarkable creatures. Experienced trackers typically guide gorilla treks in timeframes spanning from one-to-six hours. These expert guides lead hikes into the mountains and introduce you to one of the gentle families of rare mountain gorillas that live in the park.

The Rwanda mountain gorillas are habituated so they feel somewhat comfortable around human visitors. Porters are also available during gorilla tours to assist with carrying backpacks and cameras. Tracking is permissible for any individual age 15 and over, but some visitors may have more difficulty with the high altitude in the areas where the mountain gorillas live. Warm clothing is advised for the gorilla trek since the climate in Musanze town is usually chilly.

Chimpanzees

Beyond the famous mountain gorillas, Rwanda is also home to other primates. Awe-inspiring Chimpanzee tours are the core wildlife attraction in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Like the gorilla tours, chimpanzee tracking features a scenic hike through the park with guides who are highly skilled in tracking these creatures. The Chimpanzee trekking experience differs from that of the mountain gorillas since it’s more fast-paced due to the chimps continuous running around in the rainforest tree canopies. Since chimpanzee sightings are typically more spontaneous and sporadic than gorilla sightings, it is considered to be a more adventurous and exhilarating trekking experience that requires more motion. Chimpanzee tracking can be done year-round in Nyungwe Forest; however, the most popular time to visit is when the park’s trees are in full bloom during the summer. It’s no surprise individuals from all across the world are so captivated by this unforgettable wildlife experience in Rwanda’s lush natural wonderland. Consider adding both mountain gorillas and chimpanzee tours to your Rwanda itinerary. While the gorillas may be what piqued your interest in visiting Rwanda, it would be a missed opportunity to leave without seeing the chimpanzees too.