Chimpanzee Trekking Rules and Regulations in Nyungwe Forest have been set up to advise the visitors about chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe or Cyamundongo forests. These rules and regulations were made to protect the chimpanzees but also to visitors which is the major sensitivity point to follow while tracking chimpanzees in the forest. It is for this reason that they need to go through a two-year habituation process in order to learn how to co-exist with human beings and not scamper away or feel threatened when approached by people.
Chimpanzee Trekking Rules and Regulations in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
There is a minimum age which is allowed for tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest national park, and that is 15 years and above. The age limit is being administered by the Rwanda Development Board in conjugation with African Parks; a non-profit organization that manages several other wildlife parks and reserves in Africa.
- Visitors doing chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park should keep a distance of at least 7-8 meters between you and the chimpanzees.
- Trekkers should follow the rules given to them by the park ranger during the briefing at the park headquarters prior to the start of their hike into the forest.
- Before even travelling to track chimpanzees, make sure that you are not sick from any cold, flu or other illnesses as these can be transmitted from humans to the chimpanzees.
- There is a maximum number of eight members in a group who are permitted to trek a chimpanzee family/group in Nyungwe forest national park.
- In case you need to ease yourself (long calls), you should dig a hole 30cm in the ground, do the do and cover the hole.
- Smoking in the present of chimpanzees is not permitted.
- Visitors are discouraged from provoking the chimpanzees since they are in their natural habitat and require freedom.
- Visitors are not permitted to take photos of chimpanzees with their camera flash on; as the chimpanzees can easily get agitated or scared by the flash lights from your camera. You need to disable the flash on your camera before going close to the chimpanzees.
- Do not enter the forest to track chimpanzees without being accompanied by a park guide/ ranger as they are well trained and equipped to located the chimpanzees as well as ensure your protection while with the chimpanzees.
- Always keep your voice low while on your chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe forest or Cyamudongo forest.
- Visitors are advised to stay in your groups during chimpanzee trekking experience.
- Visitors are not allowed to drink or eat while in the midst of chimpanzees.
- Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park can take between 2-8 hours or more depending on the location of the chimpanzees in the forest.
- Trekkers are given only one hour to spend with the gorillas once you have located a group.
- When with the chimpanzees, you need to maintain a distance of 8 meters from the chimpanzees.
- Visitors are advised not to litter in the forest during your chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe forest national park. Always keep your rubbish with you till you find a dustbin back at the park headquarters.
- Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park is conducted only during morning hours with treks starting at 5am. Morning hours offer the best time for visitors to sight chimpanzees as they start their day and leave their nests in search for food.
What to pack for your chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
These are the essentials to carry with on your next chimpanzee safari in Rwanda as listed below;
- You should not miss out to pack solid comfortable walking shoes.
- Hiking shoes are needed which can help you to descend and ascend in the forest trails.
- Traveler does not forget to carry insect repellent since chimpanzees are wild animals and they live in nature forest where you can be bitten by any forest insect in order for you to be secure, you need to pack insect repellent cream.
- Enough binoculars are needed in order to have a great viewing of a variety of bird species while tracking chimpanzees.
- Carry your camera with enough batteries for you to be able to take photos as many as possible for future remembrance.
- Travelers shouldn’t forget to pack your waterproof bag where you can keep all your personnel belongings like the documents, cameras, packed lunch and mineral water.
- Carry warm clothes because you never know when it will rain.
- You should carry enough mineral water, snacks, packed food because one to be able to participate in chimpanzee trekking which is an amazing experience and hence requires you to carry drinking energizer to enable your hike.
Lastly, Chimpanzee tracking is a magical experience one wouldn’t have missed to engage in, which gives you the best lifetime encounter with your related cousins in their natural habitats of Nyungwe forest or Cyamudongo forest in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest national park.