AFRICA - Rwanda- Chimps

We had an early morning start to see the chimpanzees. We were up at 4:00 am and on the road by 4:45 am. The goal is to hike in arrive shortly after 6:00 am while they are up and eating. The hike to chimps was through a tropical rainforest. The Guide kept in constant contact with the trackers who had been up before dawn to locate the chimps.

We heard the chimps before we saw them. 

Their loud joyful call to each other sounds more like they are in agony, so it really gets your attention.  It was challenging to see them as they were  up in the canopy.

 

Towards the end of our time, we had a clear view of one chimp that we could observe from a 

high trail that put as close to the same elevation that he was at. 

He was a real poser giving plenty of opportunity for great viewing. Looking towards us, 

eating fruit

spitting out the pit and skin

peeing 

then making a temporary nest 

and settling into it for a quick nap. 

It was the perfect end to the morning.