Top Primates Safaris in Rwanda for every visitor

Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are the most popular primates in the country and thanks to them Rwanda is one of the best place to see gorillas in the wild. The sure thing is that, its not just the gorillas that visitors can see upclose in Rwanda, a number of other primates are spread over different national like chimpanzees, blacks and white colobus monkeys and the golden monkeys which are at a risk of getting extinct. The chimpanzees inhabit the areas of the canopy of Nyungwe National park and also the black and white colobus. Then finally the neighbors to gorillas, the golden monkeys which are located in remote places outside the volcanoes National park, and also their bright colors, energetic aspect and sizeable troops of about 30 members are a wonderful sight to experience. Gorillas might be the main reason that brings you to Rwanda but it will be a great shame to leave minus viewing their neighbors.

Chimpanzees tracking in Nyungwe Forest
Well known as also being relatives to humans the chimpanzees can be found and tracked from the Nyungwe Forest National park. A hike through the forest can lead you to these captivating creatures and enjoy them play and interact closely. This activity can be carried out throughout the year in Nyungwe forest whether it’s a rainy or shiny season and while it’s not an assumed deal that you may see them, very skillful guides are put in place to help in the tracking. Quite different from gorilla tracking, the chimpanzees are rather more excited creatures that run around a lot. And are playful which makes sighting abit patchy and rushed but worthwhile.

Golden monkey tracking
These primates are food to the eyes with their beautiful bright orange hair that rhymes with the green vegetal cover of the Virunga mountains rainforest. Golden monkeys live in bamboo forest of the Virunga massif and can be seen also in Mgahinga national park.

Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes national park

A life changing activity as many call it is the gorilla tracking in Rwanda with rough estimate of 880 gorillas left in the world, viewing them from their natural habit is a unique event to experience. Their homes reside within the bamboo covered slopes of the Virunga mountains in the Volcanoes National park located north of Rwanda. Trek and get a chance to see them and learn more about them and they are just a few feet away from you. Hiking in these mountains can take a duration ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the gorilla group allocation. Journey back can be quite long but its made smooth by the excitement of having watched the gorillas. The well experienced guides give short briefing on specific protocols and rules to follow when touring the gorillas which inhabit within the altitudes 2500 and 4000m. helpers are provided to help out with the luggage as you foot along your hike.

The gorilla families; there are mainly ten gorilla families located in the Volcanoes that are available for public visits and others are strictly for research services. Each family consists of at least one silverback (at times four can be in a family group) along with many females and a group of infants.

1. Susa Group – the largest group with about 38 gorillas. Hardest to trek gorilla family since they reside high into mountains. They comprise of rare 5-year-old twins who are byishimo and impano.

2. Sabyinyo gorilla family – has 17 members. Its easily accessible compared to the rest with the most powerful silverback named Guhonda.

3. Amahoro group –(previously known as the group 13) today it has reached 22 members. An affirmative sign of conservation.

4. Kwitonda – led by Akarevuro with 23 members originally occupied the Democratic Republic of Congo so they range in far places which make the trekking experience very tough.

5. Umbano – consists of 13 individuals who migrated from the Amahoro family with their leader called Charles.

6. Hirwa – 18 members who formed from former group 13 and Sabinyo families to become an independent group too. Their leader is Munyinya.

Black and White colobus monkeys tracking;
Found in Nyungwe Forest National park which is roughly 5-8 hours drive from Kigali (the center and capital of Rwanda). Nyungwe Forest is among the largest tropical forests in East Africa. It harbors 13 primate species which are rare chimpanzees, olive baboons, ververt monkeys, mona monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, Angola colobus monkey, blue monkey, red tailed monkey,Hamlyn’s monkey and others.However, among the 13 primates the chimpanzees and the colobus monkeys are the most adored and thought of by visitors in this thick forest. This colobus monkey species usually travels in groups of over 300 members. They are a unique creature due to their color.