Chimpanzee Trekking in Cyamudongo

Chimpanzee Trekking in Cyamudongo

Chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo Forest offers a complete immersion in the lush section of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Cyamudongo Forest spans up to 19 sq. km and forms part of the scenic Nyungwe National Park. The park is home to about 500 chimpanzees. Cyamudongo Forest has about 100 members, of whom approximately 43 have undergone complete habituation. A chimpanzee community in Cyamudongo Forest, comprising 43 chimpanzees, is available for tourists to explore on a guided chimpanzee trekking safari.

Chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo Forest takes about 2-4 hours and includes an hour-long face-to-face encounter with a chimpanzee troop. Visitors begin their day with an early briefing at Cyamudongo, where they learn about the code of conduct/guidelines, rules and regulations. At the briefing centre, guests can be assigned an experienced guide to accompany them on a search for a habituated chimpanzee community in Cyamudongo Forest.

After a long trek in the jungle, and when you finally encounter the Cyamudongo chimpanzee community, expect to enjoy an hour of close interaction with chimpanzees. Get a chance to enjoy a close observation of how chimpanzees behave and take pictures. Chimpanzees are humans’ closest relatives in the jungle, and they share over 98.7% of their genes with humans. During your interaction with chimpanzees, expect to observe a range of behaviours.

Cyamudongo chimpanzee trekking permits

A valid chimpanzee permit is a must-have for you to embark on the active search for the Cyamudongo chimpanzees. A permit can be secured at USD 150 per person, and an entrance fee at USD 100. Foreign residents pay USD 75 per visitor, and East African citizens pay USD 25 per visitor for chimpanzee permits.

What should you expect on the Cyamudongo Forest chimpanzee trekking

Early chimpanzee trek

Visitors should report to Cyamudongo reception early to meet a park official and receive the set guidelines for chimpanzee tracking. After the briefing and allocation of ranger guides, expect to begin your trek with the Cyamudongo chimpanzees early in the morning. The search for Cyamudongo chimpanzees lasts 2 to 4 hours, including 1 hour for you to observe the apes and take pictures.

Embark on a guided trekking adventure

On the actual chimpanzee trek, expect to be led by an experienced ranger guide. The search for the chimpanzee ushers you deeper into the lush forest, and you can’t move alone. The ranger guide is here to help you safely enjoy your trek through Cyamudongo Forest with the chimpanzees.

Conquer the terrains with ease.

Unlike Uwinka, the Cyamudongo Forest section takes you on less rugged terrains. Visitors can easily navigate through the natural Cyamudongo Forest to enjoy up close with a troop of chimpanzees.

A mandatory one hour with chimpanzees

All visitors on a trek in Cyamudongo are guaranteed at least 1 hour of face-to-face time with chimpanzees. The one hour is dedicated to you to enjoy close observation of the chimpanzee community and to ensure you take as many pictures as you can.

What to pack for chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo Forest

A complete tour of Cyamudongo Forest to see chimpanzees also requires you to pack the essentials. The ideal items to pack for your Cyamudongo chimpanzee trek include a rain jacket or raincoat, waterproof hiking/walking boots, snacks, water, insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts, long pants or trousers, a daypack, a camera, and more.

Guidelines for chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo

The main guidelines/rules and regulations to observe during a guided chimpanzee trek in Cyamudongo Forest.

1. Use a no-flash camera to photograph the Cyamudongo chimpanzees.
2. Always keep your voice low during a guided chimpanzee trek in Cyamudongo Forest.
3. Keep within your trekking group as you depart from the briefing centre.
4. Do not provoke chimpanzees. Avoid any physical contact and maintain a safe distance of at least 8-10 meters.
5. Do not eat or drink while in the presence of the Cyamudongo chimpanzee troop.
6. Avoid as much as you can smoking near the chimpanzees. These primates can easily contract respiratory diseases, increasing their risk of death. Chimpanzees are among the few endangered species and require the utmost protection for future generations.

The best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo Forest

Exploring Cyamudongo Forest is possible year-round. But for unforgettable Cyamudongo Forest chimpanzee trekking experiences, expect to travel during the peak dry season. Cyamudongo experiences two dry seasons, with the longest often recorded from June to September, and shorter dry spell occurs from December to February.

The wet season offers the best option for budget visitors to explore Cyamudongo, with the best time being March to May or October to November. The challenge in the rainy months is that this is when Cyamudongo and Nyungwe National Park experience heavy rains, which can disrupt the usual chimpanzee trekking experience.

What else to do in Nyungwe Forest

Besides the Cyamudongo Forest chimpanzee treks, visitors on a Rwanda safari in Nyungwe can also enjoy a range of other memorable experiences, including birding, forest walks, a canopy walk, colobus monkey tracking, and more.

Birding

Over 310 bird species are confined in the lush montane forest of Nyungwe, making it a special birding spot in Rwanda. The diverse bird species to identify during a birding tour in Nyungwe National Park include Neumann’s warblers, Rwenzori turacos, Grauer’s swamp warblers, purple-breasted sunbirds, regal sunbirds, Kivu ground thrush, Albertine owlet, Rockefeller’s sunbirds, Congo bay owl, and many others.

Guided canopy walks

Besides chimpanzee trekking, a canopy walk should be a must-do on the Nyungwe Forest safari. A guided canopy walk takes visitors on Nyungwe’s suspended walkway, set 60m above the forest floor and stretching about 200 meters. Visitors enjoy a 2-hour round walk on the Nyungwe canopy walkway with an experienced guide. As you navigate through the canopy walk path, expect to spot a variety of birds, primates and get mesmerised by the spectacular Nyungwe Forest canopy.

Colobus monkey tracking

If you love primate watching, then embarking on a guided colobus monkey trek should be a must. Nyungwe holds 13 primate species, including over 400 colobus monkeys. A section of the colobus monkey troops has undergone habituation. A guided trek to explore colobus monkeys offers you a chance to learn more about these unique primates in their habitat. But there is also a chance to find other primates, including blue monkeys, the grey-cheeked mangabeys, owl-faced monkeys, vervet monkeys, and others.

Forest hiking adventures

Guided forest walks shouldn’t be left out in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The park features a range of enriching forest walking trails, including the Irebero, Umugote, Karamba, Igishigishigi, Muzimu, Rukuzi, Ngabwe, Bigugu, and many others.

Where to stay on the Cyamudongo chimpanzee trek

The available places to stay include Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Gisakura Guesthouse, and One & Only Nyungwe House. Visitors can also choose Nyungwe Top View Hotel and other available lodges in the surrounding areas of Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Getting there

To go on a chimpanzee trek in Cyamudongo, consider travelling to Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda’s Southern Province. The drive from Kigali to Cyamudongo takes about 6-7 hours, and a 4WD safari vehicle is recommended for the road. You can also take helicopter tours to Nyungwe, operated by Akagera Aviation.

Chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo offers a lifetime opportunity to meet chimpanzees in the wild and take photos. Book a chimpanzee trekking tour in Cyamudongo with a trusted company in Rwanda –Native Africa Tours.