Rwanda is famed for the gorillas inhabiting Volcanoes National Park, yet it is also a habitat for various primates. These include chimpanzees, found in Nyungwe National Park and Gishwati Forest in smaller numbers, along with a diverse array of monkeys such as colobus, golden, L’Hoest’s, owl-faced, Dent’s, blue, and vervet. Additionally, olive baboons, nocturnal potto, and bushbabies add to the rich primate diversity.

Chimpanzees, sociable beings, reside in extended communities, engaging in daily movements for food foraging and occasional small mammal hunting. Each night, they construct fresh nests in the trees.

Hearing the chimpanzees’ vocalizations echoing through the forest is a common experience before actually spotting them. These calls serve as a bonding ritual between the chimpanzees.

The tracking adventure begins early at 5:30 am and can vary in duration, lasting from one to several hours based on the chimps’ location. Once located, visitors are allowed a maximum of one hour to spend with them.

Traversing through steep, slippery, and muddy terrain amid dense vegetation is part of the journey. Adequate footwear and a certain level of fitness are essential. Permits can be secured online, at an RDB office, or through a tour operator.

Golden monkeys inhabit both Volcanoes National Park and Gishwati Forest. In Volcanoes National Park, two groups can be tracked—one on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and the other in the bamboo forest on Mount Sabyinyo. This excursion is an independent activity, departing daily from the Kinigi headquarters.

Akagera National Park boasts populations of olive baboons and vervet monkeys that are observable during safari drives. Additionally, nocturnal explorations reveal exclusive sightings of the diminutive potto, akin to Madagascar’s lemurs, and bushbabies equipped with large eyes for enhanced night vision and bat-like ears for tracking insects in darkness.