Chimpanzee trekking in Gishwati Mukura National Park Rwanda. Trekking chimpanzees in Gishwati-Mukura N/Park is all about navigating through the tropical forests to see wild/eastern chimpanzees while in their natural habitat. On a chimpanzee trek, you will encounter more than chimpanzees as other primates can also be spotted along the way including l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.
A normal Gishwati-Mukura National Park chimpanzee trek lasts for 2- 5 hours and it includes an hour of a close encounter with chimpanzees, photography and an in-depth exploration of their daily behaviors. Like trekking chimpanzees in other locations like Nyungwe Forest National Park or Uganda’s Kibale National Park, at Gishwati-Mukura National Park, chimpanzee treks here also begin with briefing at the park offices where you will get to learn more about the set rules and regulations.
Visits to see chimpanzees in Gishwati-Mukura N/Park are open to guests above 15 years for many reasons. Below 15 years, persons within this age brackets are categorized as children. Most often, children can’t stand for a charged chimpanzee and he or she can be tempted to scream or run and this is not acceptable instead you are supposed to stand still, lower your face as sign of submissiveness. Also, children carry most of the airborne diseases and chimpanzees shared up to about 98% of their DNA with humans which makes them our closest relatives.
How is chimpanzee trek in Gishwati-Mukura National Park like?
Chimpanzee tracking in Gishwati Mukura National Park begins early after briefing at the park offices. You will meet the experienced park official who will take you through the set guidelines and the park guide will accompany a group of guests. Trekking chimpanzees starts at 8:00am and takes you about 2-5 hours while you navigate through the dense vegetation and altitudinal range of about 2000 to 3000m.
When visitors come across chimpanzee community in Gishwati-Mukura Forests, the park guide will allow them only one hour to enjoy a face-to-face encounter, taking pictures, and exploring more on how chimpanzees behave daily in the wild. This is exceptional primate adventure because you get to meet chimpanzees in their natural habitat and not at the zoo.
What else should you expect on chimpanzee trek in Gishwati-Mukura N/Park?
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a rich natural forest park, a home to more than chimpanzees. Several primate species, birds and other animal species can be spotted while you search for chimpanzees. Interesting primates such as vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, l’hoest monkeys, and so many other mammals, reptiles, floral species.
Birds, a total of 232 bird species all live in this park and they include the Rwenzori turacos, the great blue turacos, strange weavers, archer’s ground robin, martial eagles, Kivu ground thrush, mountain sooty boubou, handsome francolin, Rwenzori apalis and more.
Flora, there are varied plant species in Gishwati-Mukura National Park and they are estimated to be 60. These include prunus Africana, carapa grandiflora, etc.
Nature walk/hiking to explore the hidden attractions or sites in and around the park including visiting the waterfalls. These waterfalls are found on the various rivers including Sebeya River, River Satinyisi, Secoko and Rucanzogera.
Best time to go track Gishwati Mukura N/Park chimpanzees
Chimpanzee tracking tours at Gishwati-Mukura National Park can be conducted at any day, month or any time of the year. Clear vegetation and dry trails are experienced during the dry season, making it also the best for chimpanzee tracking. Each year, there are 2 dry seasons recorded in Gishwati-Mukura N/P, the long and short dry seasons.
The long dry months in Gishwati Mukura Park Rwanda run from June till early September and December to February for the short dry spell. The park is open all year-round meaning, you can also organize a Rwanda tour during the wet or rainy season also referred to as the low season. This usually falls in the remaining months (March, April, May, October, November).
What to pack for chimpanzee tracking in Gishwati Mukura National Park
The packing list for Gishwati-Mukura N/Park chimpanzee trekking include waterproof hiking or walking boots or shoes, long trousers, sunscreen, daypack, snacks, bottled water, first aid kit, camera, sweater, poncho/rain jacket, toiletries, long sleeved shirt, and more.