A combined chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience is a memorable adventure and an opportunity to be in chimpanzees’ company. One can do Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda’s national parks like Bwindi, Nyungwe , Kibale, volcanoes national parks.
Debates and discussions are still going on among many nature lovers and travellers on whether it’s better to trek chimpanzees or gorillas. Two eye-catching moments compared are worth the debate. However, the combined chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience what you and I would choose depending on our preferences and tastes.
What is better between chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking brings you approximately 10 meters away from the gentle majestic apes as described by Dian Fossey. Within an hour you will witness gorillas groom, play, forage, and even relax in their natural habitat, as far as you follow gorilla trekking guidelines.
A selfie will be allowed which you can print out and have for memories on your sitting room wall. Cap this gorilla trekking off with an unforgettable hike experience. Touch the softest leaves, smell the most scented flowers, and hear lots of bird sounds on your gorilla encounter. All this comes as you juggle through a tricky, muddy, slippery, and steep terrains of rainforests.
Combined chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience brings you closer to the primate world in the green zone of the Albertine. Set prices are always on each country’s main website. To summarise,For nonresident foreigners, Gorilla trekking permits cost $800 and $1500 in Uganda and Rwanda respectively. These can be obtained on your behalf by a tour operator.
Secondly
chimpanzee trekking is a tour activity that brings you up close with man’s closest ape relative. The chimpanzees are an endangered species and are preciously and jealously protected wherever they are in Africa. This continent is the only one that harbours wild chimpanzees across 21 countries.
The eastern chimpanzees find home in Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania while other species are found in central and western Africa. With a trekking permit, you will have an hour of close interaction with these agile, flexible, and playful primates. Their action-packed experience includes swinging from tree to tree, harvesting fruits, tool usage playing, grooming each other in tree canopies.
Unlike gorilla trekking, A chimpanzee experience can prove hectic yet enjoyable as they sometimes put you through your paces while trying to keep up close with them. Chimpanzees are agile and therefore always on the move. It’s therefore better with well set gadgets because before you know, a moment is no more.
A walk through the lowland usually open forests will reward you with a host of various trees, butterflies, and reptiles. A keen birder will like to spot green-backed camaroptera up in the tree branches. All this complements your chimpanzee experience which will paint long-lasting memories in your soul.
where to track chimpanzees?
You can do Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda’s Kibale the primate capital of the world, Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest. These have around 5000 chimpanzee individuals as those in Bwindi are yet to be habituated. you can also do it in Rwanda Nyungwe Forest National Park because around 400 chimpanzee individuals available here.
Chimpanzee trekking permits cost in a range of $50 to $150 depending on the location and the country. Trekking permits can sell out during the high season therefore booking in advance is highly recommended.
Key Similarities between gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking
The trekking guidelines for both primates are almost the same so you can check gorilla trekking guidelines to remind yourself about the dos and don’ts of primate trekking.
The requirements for your trekking adventure are more than the same in both scenarios since both activities take place almost in the same environment. Hiking shoes, insect repellant, a camera, binoculars, a rain jacket, and long-sleeved trousers should all be on your packing list for trekking any of these primates whereas following the guide’s advice is equally important in the success of your 3 or 4-hour adventure.
In both chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience, your eyes and ears will be limitless. So expect to encounter other forest inhabitants like elephants, buffaloes, Albertine endemic birds, several tree species, butterflies and a host of other primates like the colobus monkeys, patas. Black and white colobus monkey while a keen observer can spot reptiles and amphibians finding their way on the forest floor.
Value for money
Value for money is what we can call this since you will get much more encounters than you actually hoped to. Imagine all this in one full package.
A researcher named Simone Pika once noted “We have regularly observed both species interacting peacefully in foraging trees. Our colleagues from Congo even witnessed playful interactions between the two great ape species”. This highlights their cooperative ability and at www.numinousafricansafaris.com, we have specifically designed itineraries for your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experience either in Rwanda, Uganda, or Both. We are your primate adventure partners.
COMBINED GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE TREKKING ITINERARY
A list of combined itinerary options
1-From Nyungwe to Volcanoes or vice versa
2-From Kibale to Bwindi or vice versa
3-From Volcanoes to Kibale or vice versa
4-From Nyungwe to Bwindi or vice versa
From experience, we can design a tailored itinerary that fits your best choices and preferences and maybe at the end of your combined gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari. You will be one to help us sort the everlasting debate.
With the many similarities and few differences shared between these primates. It is safe to say that a drive or flight from the Virunga for gorillas to Nyungwe for chimpanzees. From Kibale to Bwindi is all you need to have a double benefit and enjoy the company of some of the world’s sought after animals.
In conclusion
No wonder they are our cousins who haven’t found their way home. With more than 98% DNA shared between these apes and man, the best option is to enjoy the unique experiences they both portray other than looking for the better. BOOK A PRIMATE SAFARI NOW
