Compare Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Do you want to compare gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda? This article is meant to give you a complete comparison between the activities. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, a beautiful forest-blanketed haven, beckons primate lovers and nature enthusiasts with its pristine and verdant forest covers and vibrant primate species. For anyone yearning for an unforgettable primate adventure, the debate between Gorilla trekking Vs. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda often arises. Both adventures provide exceptional encounters with captivating creatures, but the key differences and surprising similarities can determine your decision. These activities ignite a sense of awe and wonder as you get the chance to witness the majestic primates spend time in the vast rainforests where they live. Delve into this guide to discover the comparison between gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, and decide which thrilling adventure aligns best with your desires.
Locations
The location of these primates is one of the ways to compare gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. The endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda live in the dense rainforest, high on the mountains (with altitudes ranging from 2500 to 4000 meters above sea level) and their natural habitats are marked by cold temperatures. This is why they are referred to as “Mountain gorillas. Thanks to their huge sizes, Mountain gorillas are terrestrial/non-arboreal (meaning they build their nests on the ground). Currently, Uganda has two remarkable gorilla trekking destinations- Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga national parks, and these two places provide more or less the same trekking experiences.
Chimpanzees in Uganda occupy varying natural habitats that range from tropical forests and patches of savannah grassland, although their home/nests are always in the trees. It is for this reason that they are known as “Arboreal creatures”. There are numerous chimpanzee trekking locations in Uganda, and they include Kibale Forest National Park (the most popular so far), Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest (adjacent to Murchison Falls National Park), and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Physical Demands
Thanks to the nature of mountain gorilla natural habitats (rugged terrains, high altitude, and dense rainforests), gorilla trekking is usually more strenuous and it will take you between one hour and up to six hours to finally meet the allocated habituated gorilla family. In this case, moderate to high physical fitness is required to search for these Giant Apes in their natural habitats. Uganda Chimpanzee trekking tours are less strenuous/challenging. This is because the majority of places sheltering these Great Apes are marked by relatively flat terrains. However, this doesn’t mean that chimpanzee trekking is a walk in the Park, as basic to moderate fitness levels are required while searching for these interesting primates.
Cost
Another way that gorilla trekking differs from chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is in the cost. Gorilla trekking costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 per person for foreign residents, and Shs.300,000 for East African Community Citizens. Chimpanzee trekking permits are way cheaper than gorilla permits and differ according to the location of trekking the chimps. If you are trekking chimps from Kibale Forest National Park, be prepared to part with $250 per person for foreign non-residents, $200 per person for foreign residents, and Shs.180,000 for East African Community Citizens.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, which is another exceptional spot, is way cheaper than it is in Kibale Forest National Park. They cost $100 per person for foreign non-residents, $80 per person for foreign residents, and Shs.50,000 per person for East African Community Citizens.
Schedules
Gorilla trekking adventures in Uganda (or anywhere else where they are done) are only done in the morning, starting at 7:00 am with briefing. This is followed by the actual gorilla treks that begin at 8:00 am with a walk/or drive to the trailhead, depending on the location of the allotted gorilla family. Chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda are done in two schedules- the morning (also known as the AM Schedule starting at 8:00 am) or the afternoon schedule (also known as the PM Schedule). This allows visitors to choose which schedule works perfectly for their program, and plan accordingly.
Minimum Trekking ages
Another way to compare gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is from the legal trekking ages. The minimum trekking age for mountain gorillas is 15 years and a copy of your valid passport will be required at the Park Headquarters to ascertain whether the visitor is of legal age to trek these Giant Apes. There are several reasons why the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 and these include the physical demands of gorilla trekking adventures, which might be very challenging for young children. The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years. A minimum age is followed by trekking these two exceptional primates for several reasons. One of the reasons stems from the fact that they are close relatives to humans, hence vulnerable to human communicable diseases such as flu, cough, measles, and many others.
Distance from the primates
Both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tours involve guided walks but the difference comes in the distance in which visitors approach each of the primate species. Gorilla trekking often involves observing (and of course taking photos) the endangered mountain gorillas from a distance of 7 meters as approaching these incredibly massive creatures too closely is likely to affect their natural behavior.
Chimpanzee trekking tours offer a less interactive experience, with chimpanzees being observed at a minimum distance of 8 meters. This is because, compared to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees are more closely related to humans. These Great Apes share 98.7% DNA with humans, compared to mountain gorillas who share 98.2% DNA with humans (close but not so close enough).
Surprising similarities between Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Despite the differences between Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking, these two adventures share some surprising and interesting similarities.
On-foot tours
Both gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda are primarily conducted on foot. These primate tours provide the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sight numerous forest-endemic species that include other primates, lots of birds, reptiles, Amphibians, and exceptional plant species. These two primate tours are led by armed and experienced Rangers who guide you and share their diverse knowledge of the local wildlife and the primates being trekked.
The amount of time spent with the primates
Another similarity between gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking is that visitors are given only one hour to observe and take photos of these Primates as they go about their day-to-day routines. Gorilla treks last between one hour and six hours depending on the location of the habituated gorilla family but once sighted, you have only one hour to be in their presence. The same applies to chimpanzee trekking where you have only one hour, regardless of how long you took to find them. Limiting the time spent with these primates is done to avoid disrupting their natural behavior (avoiding behavioral changes).
Forest appreciation
Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee trekking tours foster a deeper appreciation for the jungle/forest’s delicate ecosystem as well as the significance of forest conservation. Other similarities include; the fact that no flash is required when taking photos, trekking ought to be done by only healthy visitors (you shouldn’t be having flu, cough, or any other communicable diseases), the fact that permits are required to trek these two primate species.
Book our Primate safari to have a clear understanding of the comparison between Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda!!
