Rwanda is dotted with beautiful scenery as it is surrounded by dauting rolling green hills amidst verdant tropical rain forests that do not only create a thrilling atmosphere but a habitant of various wild life species. Rwanda is well known as a home to a quite number of mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park occupying the Virunga conservation Area. However, there are other primate species in Rwanda including chimpanzees, L’hoest monkeys, Black and white monkeys, patus monkeys, bush babies, Golden monkeys among many others.
Primate tracking in Rwanda thus includes;
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkeys are exciting to watch because of their distinct attractive color. In Rwanda Golden monkeys are found in volcanoes national park. The Colored cheeky monkeys are found on the slopes of karisimbi and Sabyinyo. Golden monkey. It’s a daily activity with in the park usually complimented with gorilla tracking with in.
The park can be accessed through Kinigi park center after securing a golden monkey permit at usd 100 with Rwanda Development Board directly or with a licensed tour operator. Briefing at the park before tracking the golden monkeys starts at 7: OO am, then you accompanied by the rangers into the forest.
Similarly, as you prepare for gorilla trekking, there is no much difference. Make sure you have good hiking boots, as the ground tends to be slippery, you will also need a pair of binoculars for a closer view as some of the monkeys like to swing high up in the trees.
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest national park is the ideal where most tourist make it a top place to encounter the noisy playful chimpanzees. Visitors are welcomed at Uwinka visitors center in the morning for this thrilling activity. Nyungwe forest national park has more other 12 species which include blue monkeys, owl faced monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white monkeys, L’hoest monkeys among many others. Chimpanzee permits in Rwanda cost usd 90 obtained from Rwanda development board.
Other troops of chimpanzees are found in Gishwati Mukula forest, the recent gazetted national park for the protection of primates.
Best time for primate tracking in Rwanda
The dry/peak season in June, July, August, September, December, January and February is the best time for gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda. This season is generally dry which makes it easy to trek though the forested jungle. Also, sunlight in this season is good for photography and scenic viewing. On the other hand, you can trek in the wet/low season in the months of March, April, May, October and November. The season is associated with low visits which give you chance to see the primates without crowds. Also, service providers especially lodges give discounted offers in low season to encourage more visits.
Besides primate trekking, there are other magical things you should not miss on your Rwanda safari. These include game viewing in Akagera National Park. There you drive through the savannahs of the park, which give you great views of numerous wild animals feeding and predators hunting. Game viewing in Akagera Park is accompanied by a boat cruise at Lake Ihema
More so, enjoy a hike to the iconic Mount Karisimbi, the highest volcano in the Virunga massif standing at 3,507 meters above the sea level. A 2 Day Mt Karisimbi hike takes you to summit of this tall Volcano. The slopes of Mt Karisimbi shelter the endangered mountain gorillas and many other primates plus birds.
Conclusively, primate trekking in Rwanda is worth doing. A close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys is the best wildlife experience you will live to remember. Book now with AFRICA TOURS ADVENTURE for a memorable experience.