COLOBUS MONKEY TREKKING IN NYUNGWE FOREST – Colobus monkey trekking is one of the activities offered in Nyungwe Forest National Park alongside chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walk.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a biodiverse park that every nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, birder, and especially a primate lover should visit, as the park houses 13 different primate species, including the famous chimpanzees, owl-faced monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Angola (Ruwenzori) colobus monkeys, silver monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, mona monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys.
For the Colobus Monkey Trekking Tours
Two groups of colobus monkeys have been habituated for visitors to see at close range in their natural habitat. There is the Uwinka colobus group with over 500 individuals and the Gisakura colobus group with about 60 individuals.
Colobus Monkey Trekking Experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Two interesting troops of colobus monkeys are habituated in Nyungwe Forest National Park for the colobus monkey trekking experience.
The Gisakura colobus monkey group, made up of only 60 individuals, is the most visited group of the two habituated troops, as it is always easier to track down, usually hanging around the forest’s edges.
The Uwinka colobus monkey group is made up of an interesting over 500 individuals. Imagine the sight of those black and white-furred monkeys in one place.
As the Gisakura colobus monkeys have four different trekking schedules per day (8:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm), the Uwinka colobus monkey group has only the 9:00 am colobus trekking tour, as it takes almost the whole day to track down this huge troop because of its constant movements looking for enough food for the whole group.
One must acquire a colobus monkey trekking permit before taking part in the activity that starts with a briefing at the park offices. The cost of the permit is $60 for international visitors, $40 for international residents in Rwanda and East African Community countries, and RWF 5,000 for Rwandan and East African citizens. This excludes the park entrance fee.
Visitors are granted a full hour in safe close proximity with the colobus monkeys to observe them, take photographs, and watch them go about their day in Nyungwe Forest.
Visitors aged 16 years and above are eligible for the colobus monkey trekking experience. Book and pay for your colobus trekking permit in advance.
Colobus Monkey Trekking Tips
- A good pair of hiking shoes or boots, comfortable and well-fitting.
- A raincoat for unexpected weather changes.
- Camera or smartphone for taking pictures.
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirts/tops.
- Insect repellent.
Best Time for Colobus Monkey Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Colobus monkey trekking is best done during the dry season (June to early September), just like most activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park, because then the trails in the park and the ground are much drier and easier to navigate through the jungle.
Combine the colobus monkey trekking experience with chimpanzee trekking, birding, canopy walk, and cultural tours while in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Visit Nyungwe Forest with these recommended Chimpanzee Trekking Companies or send us an inquiry below to book directly through this website.
