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Besides gorillas, the Virunga Mountains are also home to various families of chimpanzees. With a guide you can go look for these animals in the dense forest. They can be rather loud, so the chance of an encounter is very real. Especially when you take a couple of days. Inquire locally about the possibilities.

The chimpanzee Habituation walks in Virunga

In 2014, a Congolese team trained by Frankfurt Zoological Society started habituating a group of chimpanzees that live in the forests around the park head quarters in Rumangabo. The guests staying at Mikeno Lodge can join the team on their daily visits to the chimpanzees. The day starts when a group of local trackers leave their camp at 4:30 am to locate where the chimpanzees spent the past night. The lodge guests set out at 6:00am to find the chimpanzees. The groups are also limited to 4 people and time with the chimps is limited to one hour. Bookings are made in person at Mikeno Lodge. Chimpanzee Habituation permit is $100 and nationals pay $25. The permits can be bought at Mikeno Lodge.