Gorilla Trekking Or Chimpanzee Tracking Africa which Is More Fun

Overview

Gorilla tracking in Africa Uganda or Rwanda gives you an insight into the lives of the huge African primates. Chimpanzees trekking brings you up-close with the closest relatives of man containing about 98% of human genes.

Compare Gorilla Tracking and Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Africa

Mountain gorillas are huge primates but serene in nature while chimpanzees are relatively smaller in size and may easily get violent when disturbed.

Depending on the age, gorillas a fully grown mountain gorilla may weight about 300 to 485 lb 6 feet tall as a fully grown chimpanzee may weigh about 88–154 lb for a male chimpanzee as the female chimpanzee may weight 60–110 lb

During gorilla trekking, you get to see the mountain gorilla fully feeding on foliage like bamboo, soft stems, fruits whereas chimpanzee trekking during the dry season you may get to see chimpanzees feeding on other primates especially when there is scarcity of food in the forest.

To do Gorilla tracking, trekkers are divided into a maximum of 8 people to visit one gorilla family. Each family is led by a dominant silverback who is normally the over seer of family activities.

 Chimpanzee trekkers are divided into groups of 6 clients to visit a particular community of chimpanzees per shift.

Each day only one gorilla trekking group of trekkers is allowed to see the gorillas for one hour. Chimpanzee trekking is done in the morning and afternoon each day.

Mountain gorillas live in ragged mountainous Bwindi Forest or Volcanoes National park or Virunga Forest. This requires you to hike at some point to reach them. The topography of the areas where chimpanzees live is relatively low and may not require any fitness.

What Make Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Africa a Unique activity

Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking is a primate safari experience which get you closer to the most historical apes of this world. During the gorilla tracking or chimpanzee trekking, you have high chances of seeing other primates like black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey to mention but a few.

 Both gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking require you to have permits in order to be allowed to see either of them. A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 while a chimpanzee permit in Uganda costs $ 200.

Only an hour in the presence of either the gorillas or chimpanzees is allowed. This is because Gorilla and chimpanzees are habituated to be in the human presence for just that time.

Which is the Best Time For Gorilla Tracking Or Chimpanzee Trekking in Africa

All year round gorilla trekking or chimpanzee tracking is open but in case you wish to enjoy the exclusive experience with limited numbers low season is the best choice.

A few people demand for gorilla permits or chimpanzee permits during this time. Low seasons are February to May and November. June to September and December are normally peak seasons.

Which Park Is Best For Gorilla Tracking or Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda

Gorilla tracking Uganda is done in only two parks that is Bwindi forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi forest National Parks offers a variety of families to trek while in Mgahinga National park only one gorilla family can be trekked.

Although Bwindi Forest harbors both gorillas and chimpanzee only gorillas are habituated for human viewing the chimpanzees are wild. Chimpanzees in Uganda are best trekked in Kibale Forest, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National park.

Which Gorilla family Is Best For Trekking In Uganda

Uganda has over 12 gorilla families open for trekking but the gorilla permits are purchased according to area. The best gorilla family to trek can only be identified according to your motive for taking your gorilla tracking safari.

Some gorilla families have huge silverbacks, some have numerous babies, some have very many gorillas, some have very playful juveniles and so much more.

You need to share your intension for taking this safari so that we try and request for the family with atleast some of your qualities.

What is the age Limit for gorilla tracking in Uganda

Only clients 15 and above are allowed to visit the mountain gorillas. Those below may not be in shape to trek the highlands located on the route to see the mountain gorillas.

People below 15 years may also be frightened by the first sight of the mountain gorillas because of there sheer size and dark hairy faces. In most cases one may make noise when frightened which scares the gorillas into hiding.

What is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda

 A person 12 years and above is allowed to see the chimpanzees as the topography of the areas where they live is quite manageable by people of this age.

What To Pack for Gorilla Trekking Or Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

A sound proof camera will protect the memories of your gorilla tracking experience.

A poncho or rain coat is safe haven for you when it rains as Bwindi Forest receives some down powers without warning. Even during the rainy seasons as you do chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest or Kyambura gorge you need a rain gear.

Tracking boots offer great protection to your feet when in the wilderness. You need to wear some stockings to tack in your trousers.

Camouflaged wear both long sleeved shirt and trousers that would not show dirt from the wilderness. All is safe wear for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking.

Insect repellant will protect your skin from biting nettles that live in the wilderness.

Energy bites keep your spirit high as you move in the forest.

A mask and sanitizer is a must as both gorillas and chimpanzees can easily catch the Covid-19 Virus which may not react well with them.

Garden gloves offer you extra protection in case you fall and want to catch a secure grip on the close by creepers.

A large brim hat safe guards your head and hair from dripping water from the leaves.

 Water bottle to be used for drinking when you get thirst as you trek to find the gorillas