Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Virunga National Park

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Virunga National Park: Virunga National Park is home to numerous populations of eastern common chimpanzees, one of the park’s three Great Apes. Along with the elephant, it is one of the few big creatures that can be found in all three parts of the park. In the south, they can be found near the sides of the active Nyiragongo volcano and in the deep woods surrounding Tongo and Rumangabo.

In the central area, they coexist with iconic creatures like lions and hippos in the gallery forest around the Ishasha River. Eastern chimpanzee populations in Virunga National Park are most concentrated in the northern sector, where they may be found along the Semliki River Valley and the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Virunga National Park.

Frankfurt Zoologist initiated chimpanzee habituation in 1987. He established an 80-kilometer route in Tongo woodland and began a two-year project to make these monkeys more accustomed to humans.

In 1989, there were more than 50 habituated chimpanzees that visitors could visit. However, a few years later, the region experienced civil instability, making chimpanzee habituation, chimpanzee trekking, and other tourist activities impossible.

After the region recovered from civil upheaval in 2014, the team trained by the mogul Frankfurt Zoologist Society started their habituation operation. The guides of Virunga National Park in Rumangabo go into the rain forests every day at 4:30 a.m. to find out where the chimpanzees spend their evenings, and tourists are escorted there about 6:00 a.m. Guests who stay at Mikeno Lodge or Bukima Tented Camp have an edge when it comes to Chimpanzee trekking in the Rumangabo area.

The tropical rain forests, savannah woodland, and grassland forests on the slopes and bottom of the Virunga mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo are home to three great apes: mountain gorillas, lowland gorillas, and chimpanzees.

They are among the most popular attractions in the Democratic Republic Congo’s wilderness areas. Other primates include red-tailed monkeys, De Brazzas monkeys, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, and baboons.

Chimpanzees are thought to be the most similar to humans, sharing an estimated 98 percent of human DNA. They walk on all four limbs but can also move for roughly a kilometer on only their legs.

You might want to know that chimpanzees are classified into four subspecies based on their appearance and distribution: eastern chimpanzees, western chimps, central chimps, and Nigerian-Cameroon chimps. They also dwell in groups of up to 80 individuals, each led by a dominant male. They can be observed in the trees or on the ground, but they spend their evenings in tree nests.

Nest building is a significant part of chimpanzee behavior and society. Nests built of leaves and branches assist control body temperature, keeping chimps warm at night and cool during hot days.

Nest-building is not only crucial for chimps’ daily survival and well-being, but it is also viewed as a social activity that promotes cooperation and strengthens social relationships among groups. Females are known to create specific nests for giving birth and caring for their offspring.

Chimpanzees give birth to a single baby after a gestation period of 202-261 days, however they may have twins on rare occasions. These primates eat leaves, fruits, branches, and certain insects. They get their nourishment from the forest where they reside. They also consume meat if they come to a small animal to hunt.

Currently, the chimpanzees living in the rain forests of Virunga National Park are only habituated, which is a thrilling and enjoyable experience for visitors to the park. Chimpanzees may be found in the Rumangabo area of Mahura Forest.

How many people are allowed to do chimpanzee habituation in Virunga National Park?

Only four persons are permitted to see the chimpanzee family due to the limited number of habituation sites.  When you spot them, you’ll only have one hour to learn about and engage with the chimpanzees.

How much is a chimpanzee habituation permit in Virunga National Park?

 A chimpanzee habituation permits in Virunga National Park costs $100 per person. You are advised to book a chimpanzee habituation permit directly through the national park or through a trusted tour operator like Explore Rwanda Tours.

In summary; Aside from watching chimpanzees, visitors may also visit Tongo’s Chimpanzee Resource Centre. You will learn more about the habituation project and how the local community is helping to conserve and protect animals. Hiking to Tongo River would be a great way for you to discover more of Virunga National Park‘s unspoiled sites.