Chimpanzee Trekking Rules and Regulations Nyungwe

Chimpanzee Trekking Rules and Regulations in Nyungwe National Park is located in Southwestern Rwanda on the border with Burundi, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Lake Kivu in the west. It is one of the best-preserved montane forests in Africa. It was established in 2004 and covers an area of 1,019 square kilometres of bamboo, grassland, swamps, bogs, and rain forest. Tourists travelling to Nyungwe National Park should observe the following rules and regulations on their chimpanzee trekking adventure.

• Tourists are always advised to listen carefully to their ranger guide during briefing before entering the forest in search of the chimpanzees. This is to help both the tourist and ranger guide to ease the exercise.
  Keep all important documents with you, as you may be asked to present them at some point during the visit. These include passports and valid permits into Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• As you set out into the forest and come to see the chimpanzees, you will be allowed strictly one hour with them. This may be consumed as you watch them carry out their daily activities, grooming their young ones as well as looking for food and feeding. It is such a wonderful experience observing these creatures in their natural habitat.
• Tourists are always advised to maintain an 8-meter distance from the chimpanzees while in the wild.
  Littering the forest is prohibited in Nyungwe, so all litter must be corrected and disposed of in bins at different locations.
• Tourists are not allowed to mimic the chimpanzees, as they may mistake it and end up charging at them.
  Feeding the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park is prohibited and punishable by courts of law.
  Eating in the national park near the chimpanzees is not allowed as they are so playful and may end up snatching it from your hands as well as injuring the tourist.
• Tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary movements while with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park because they may end up getting scared, hence charging at you.
  Use of flash photography is not allowed because, in most cases, the chimpanzees get scared and suspect danger, so they may end up charging at the tourist.
• While in the park, tourists are advised to keep all valuables in their bags. This is because, due to the playful nature of these animals, they may end up snatching them and throwing them deep into the forest. These may include cameras, binoculars, hats, water bottles, and raincoats, among others.
• Smoking while in Nyungwe National Park is prohibited. This is to prevent the spread of wildfires that may destroy the natural habitat of the chimpanzees as well as the deaths of other animals.
• The minimum age of trekking chimpanzees is 15 years. This is the age where tourists are considered to be feet for this activity.
• Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited from Nyungwe National Park, as it is punishable by courts of law.
• Tourists are advised to keep their voices low during chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park. This is because the noise disrupts the chimpanzees, and they may end up going far ahead of the group.
  Tourists trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe are paired in groups of eight.
• Do not spoil any vegetation while in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• For tourists to enjoy their great adventure in Nyungwe National Park, they should observe the above rules and regulations.