Nyungwe National Park rules and regulations are guidelines to ensure that you get a memorable safari in Rwanda.

Most regulations set in Nyungwe forest national park are directed towards conserving the great population of Chimpanzees in the park. However, they also safeguard visitors from getting hurt by the unpredictable ways of chimps and other wildlife in Nyungwe Forest.

Therefore, for a successful safari in Nyungwe National Park, you’re encouraged to follow the following rules and regulations.

A Summary Of Nyungwe Forest National Park Rules And Regulations

1. You must present all the required papers at the entrance point of the park for the check-up.
2. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed in the park
3. Pets like dogs, cats, and birds among others are not allowed in the park.
4. Only persons above the age of 15 years are allowed to trek Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park
5. Only a group of 8 visitors is allowed to track a habituated Chimpanzee community a day.
6. Trekkers must wash their hands before going to the jungle to search for chimpanzees.
7. Please, you’re forbidden from plucking leaves, and flowers, or uprooting any plants while in Nyungwe Forest.
8. It is prohibited to litter the park
9. Always listen to the ranger’s rules while on the Chimpanzee trail in Nyungwe forest national park.
10. Trekkers must lower their voices while in the jungle searching for Chimpanzees.
11. While searching for Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, visitors must keep in their group.
12. On meeting Chimpanzees, you are not allowed to point or run after them, they might end up charging at you.
13. Trekkers must keep a 7m distance when Chimpanzees are located.
14. Visitors who feel like sneezing and coughing when near Chimpanzees must turn their heads away and cover their mouths.
15. Travelers with sunglasses that reflect light must put them off on encountering Chimpanzees.
16. Visitors must not mimic the Chimpanzees’ vocalization.
17. Eating, drinking or smoking while near Chimpanzees is not allowed.
18. You are only limited to one hour enjoying Chimpanzees in the jungle.
19. Travelers on Chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda’s Nyungwe NP must avoid close eye contact when they meet chimpanzees.
20. Don’t use flash photography while taking chimpanzee photos.
21. Trekkers that are sick or showing some signs of sickness are not allowed to trek chimpanzees.
22. If you feel like easing yourself along the trail, you should ask the ranger to help you dig over a 30cm deep hole.

The Detailed Rules And Regulations In Nyungwe Forest National Park

1. You must present all the required papers at the entrance point of the park for the check-up. For that reason, you are advised to move with all your park receipts, passports, and driver’s license for review if needed.
2. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed into the park. These will be left at the park entrance point after the inspection.
3. Pets like dogs, cats, and birds among others are not allowed in the park. This is so because they can be attacked by wild animals or just get lost in the thick jungles.
4. Only persons above the age of 15 years are allowed to trek Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park. However, those below 15 years but, looking mature have been allowed by the Authorities in Rwanda to trek chimps.
5. Only a group of 8 visitors is allowed to track a habituated Chimpanzee community a day. This protects the chimps from being stressed by big groups of people and limits infection transfer.
6. Trekkers must wash their hands before going to the jungle to search for chimpanzees. This is intended to minimize any possibility of disease transfer.
7. Please, you’re forbidden from plucking leaves, and flowers, or uprooting any plants while in Nyungwe Forest. This action disrespects eco-tourism principles which aim at conserving nature for feature generations.
8. It is prohibited to litter the park. Please, you’re requested to keep all your rubbish until you get out of the jungle. You’ll dispose off them in the dust bins at the park headquarters.
9. Always listen to the ranger’s rules while on the Chimpanzee trail in Nyungwe forest national park.
10. Trekkers must lower their voices while in the jungle searching for Chimpanzees. This offers an opportunity of spotting several birds, plus a variety of wildlife along the trail.

More so, keeping quiet helps to keep chimpanzees calm. But, remember, you’re not limited from asking the ranger any questions.

11. While searching for Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, visitors must keep in their group. This helps to avoid going astray and also limits attacks from wild animals in the forest such as forest Elephants, Buffaloes, etc.
12. On meeting Chimpanzees, you are not allowed to point or run after them, they might end up charging at you.
13. Trekkers must keep a 7m distance when Chimpanzees are located. This helps to keep these awesome apes calm. It also minimizes the risk of transmitting human contagious diseases to chimps e.g. Flu and Cough.
14. Visitors who feel like sneezing and coughing when near Chimpanzees must turn their heads away and cover their mouths. This helps to reduce the transmission of viral or bacterial infections.
15. Travelers with sunglasses that reflect light must put them off on encountering Chimpanzees. Note that, the reflection on the glass can force chimps to get near you to find out.
16. Visitors must not mimic the Chimpanzees’ vocalization. This is so because you don’t know what you might be saying! Imitating a chimp might force it to charge at you.
17. Eating, drinking or smoking while near Chimpanzees is not allowed. Please, note chimps are vulnerable to smoke. In the case of eats, chimps can easily snatch food from you.

Remember, in most cases, foreign items may contain diseases or other impurities which may be unsafe for chimpanzees.

18. Travelers on Chimpanzee safaris in Rwanda’s Nyungwe NP must avoid close eye contact when they meet chimpanzees. This is so because chimps are strong wild animals that can attack you before you realize it.
19. You are only limited to one hour enjoying Chimpanzees in the jungle. During this period, you’ll learn about chimp behaviors and have a great moment of taking photos.

Please note that sometimes Chimpanzees can become tense. Therefore, your guide will finish the visit early for safety motives.

20. Don’t use flash photography while taking chimpanzee photos. Flashlight cameras usually stress the chimps and can make them charge.
21. Trekkers that are sick or showing some signs of sickness are not allowed to trek chimpanzees. Please, note that contagious diseases like Flu and Cough can severely affect these close relatives of man.

For the good of conserving Chimps, volunteer to not track. An alternative visit can be arranged for you, or you’ll be refunded your money.

22. If you feel like easing yourself along the trail, you should ask the ranger to help you dig over a 30cm deep hole. After, don’t forget to cover it. This reduces the transmission of diseases.