How does the chimpanzee trekking compare with the gorilla trekking

The gorilla trekking/tracking is obviously the number one tour activity that majority tourists book to see primates in the African jungle. The chimpanzee trekking/tracking on the other hand is normally just an add-on and many tourists wonder whether it is any different from the gorilla trek and whether it is a worthwhile addition to the already expensive gorilla trekking. Afterall, they are all primates!! In fact, some tourists cannot properly differentiate a chimpanzee from the gorilla.

 
Which one is the gorilla & which one is the chimp? 🙂

Below I try to throw a bit of perspective to help you see how these two great apes with interesting wildlife experiences compare and help you decide whether you should do one over the other, or do both of them.

Meeting up with the gorillas and chimps – character & organization

The Mountain Gorillas are big and have an intimidating look, but they are so gentle and shy, nothing like the aggressive “King Kong” gorilla portrayed in the movies. You will find the gorillas who live in relatively small tight families of about 8 – 15 individuals going about their business silently on the ground which is mostly feeding on vegetation, grooming each other and resting. It is the big silverback, the head of the family, that normally imposes himself in space to show who is boss and ensure no creature is getting too close to his members, while other members are mostly shy and retreating, always trying to get away from onlookers.

Chimpanzees are the opposite of the gorillas. Chimps are extremely active…and wild. Unlike gorillas that live in small family units keeping tightly together in a small area, the chimps live as a community of 100s of individuals occupying a large territory. They engage in loud vocalizations & the traditional thunderous hitting of tree barks to communicate with other members across the wide territory. Being in the midst of those vocalizations is quite hair-raising experience. They move swiftly, be it on ground or swinging from tree to tree and therefore need you to be on your toes almost all the time. Every member or group of members in the chimp community can engage in different activities giving you a diversity of views and experiences. You can decide to follow one member or group in the big community.

In a nutshell:

Meeting the gorillas can be likened to bumping into your favorite celebrity for the first time that leaves you astounded/starstruck, while meeting the chimp is like bumping into a long-lost crazy buddy who will treat to you to hearty laughter…

Comparing the trekking experience and the level of difficulty

The gorilla trekking level of difficulty is normally a concern because the mountain gorillas live in mountains covered in dense vegetation. It can be a difficult or easy hike to find the gorillas depending on their location, however after finding them the experience is much slower as the gorillas do not move very often and can stay in same area till you leave. On the other hand, the chimps are quite swift and can be quite a task following them up and down.

Verdict

I highly recommend combining these the gorilla trek and the chimpanzee tracking. Both of these tours can be done on trips in Uganda and trips in Rwanda.

Allocating gorilla groups for the trek: here is how to get your best group

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is done in groups of tourists of not more than 8 people per group. Each group not more than 8 tourists is allocated to one gorilla family that they will track down through the mountains and jungles and on getting to the gorillas the tourists will spend one hour following them, enjoying every view of every member of the gorilla of the gorilla family. Adult gorillas are a bit docile, so most times they are observed picking and munching on vegetation. The young gorillas on the other hand a more active and inspiring. While the baby gorillas stay clung to their mothers.

During planning for the gorilla trek tourists ask questions around the gorilla family one will be allocated. The park management does the allocation to gorilla families which is often random, however some certain categories of people, especially the aged shall be allocated to the easier treks.

While the park allocates the groups according to their wish, it is also possible for a guest to request for a type of gorilla depending on the kind of experience they want to have to kind of gorillas they want to see.

So you may want to be allocated to gorilla group basing on the following

Can I get the easiest or hardest gorillas group to trek to?

Elderly persons aged 50+ are given priority for gorilla families that may be easier to trek to. But other people that do not feel ready for a long trek can ask to be allocated to the easiest group.

The gorillas families are found in different areas of the park, and the time taken and level of difficult to find each of the group varies. Some gorillas may be closer to the trailhead and thus easier to trek to.

On the other hand, some people may want a harder challenge to find the gorillas which would also give them more time in the jungle and enjoy seeing more wildlife and great views across the mountain.

I want the best sightings of Silverback Gorillas

Coming face to face with the iconic Silverback Gorilla is one of the best moments of the gorilla trekking adventure. Every gorilla family has at least one silverback gorilla because he is the leader, but some groups have more silverback gorillas. The more the silverback gorillas the better sightings of this massive ape!

Therefore if seeing the silverback gorilla and having as many shots as possible of the gentle giants then you can request for a group with many silverback gorillas. But be ready for any kind of level of difficulty because the with more silverbacks may nearer or far away.

Would like to see the playful young gorillas and cute baby gorillas?

The gorilla family with young gorillas has more fun actions as these youngsters love to entertain with playful antics like provoking the big gorillas, swinging from trees, and even having a cheeky go at the tourists.

If you therefore you want a more fun gorilla family with more activity then request for the one with more young gorillas.

Baby gorillas are so cute but hard to see because they are always held tightly to their mothers bodies. Few gorilla families will have a baby gorilla in the family, so request to be allocated to a group with baby(ies) if want to see these little ones and witness how their mother gorillas passionately cares for them like human mothers do for their babies.

Big gorilla family – Do you want to see many gorillas?

Would you like to see as many gorillas as possible, then request for a gorilla family with a big number of individuals, say 12+ gorilla members. When reach the gorilla family in the jungles, it is impossible to see all the members because some are dispersed around and can be behind bushes so it is difficult to see all the members. Therefore you stand a better chance see many gorillas if you track a group with many members. Some gorillas families can have as many as 20 members, while others can have as few as 8 members.

Is the gorilla trek in Bwindi forest the hardest?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the biggest population of gorillas in Uganda, and having more than 10 habituated gorilla families is automatically the destination of choice for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda. It is also the only place for the exclusive gorilla habitation trek which provides a chance to spend more time with the gorillas in a smaller group of people.

The Bwindi gorilla trek is also cheaper than the gorilla trek in Rwanda done in Volcanoes National Park (a part of the Virunga Mountains range shared with Uganda too). However, a number of travelers decide to trek in Rwanda on the assumption or theory that it offers an easier trek than Bwindi.

But how difficult or hard is the trek in Bwindi? We discuss this the level of difficulty of the gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Why is it a hard trek in Bwindi forest?

The rugged & steep hills

The park sits on huge rugged hills with many steep hills that are covered in dense forest. What would make the trek hard is that you may have to climb one hill and then another hill to find the gorillas. A beautiful adventure but is more enjoyable if fit

The trek can also be very easy if the gorillas are [located walk] down into the valley from your starting point or

There can be two kinds of people trekking in Bwindi;

  •  one that is disappointed due to a very short trek to the gorillas after preparing for and expecting longer adventurous trek in the jungles,
  •  another that has come back very tired from such a long and arduous trek up and down the hills that they had not prepared for or imagined

The “impenetrable” forest

Bwindi is aptly named “impenetrable” because of the dense forest and vegetation that covers these massive highlands. During the trek the park rangers use a machete to cut the vegetation to create a way to the gorillas.

The thick vegetation can provide some challenges as you may need to occasionally push away branches and shrubs out of the way.

There are also prickly and stinging plants hence you are advised to have garden gloves and long sleeved shirts and long pants.

For the nature lover however, the dense vegetation gives you an opportunity to embed in a true African jungle, feel the closeness to nature like you have never experienced before, and learn about the various plants especially those useful to the gorillas.

Note that some areas of Bwindi forest are more dense than others so you may select a region for the gorilla trek depending on how dense the forest is

Dry season vs wet season

The weather season will also determine how harder your trek in Bwindi National Park will be. Uganda experiences two seasons, the wet season (lots of rain) and dry season (mostly hot with little rain). Trekking during the dry season (June – August & Dec – Feb) is not as hard as trekking during the wet season (March to April, Sept to Nov) because the trails will be dry while the wet season causes slippery trails that will result in a difficult trek.

Sector or part of Bwindi you will be trekking in

Bwindi National Park is made of rolling hills clad with dense forest. However the altitude varies across the highlands and different sectors of the park are more hilly and rugged than others. This implies different parts of the park are known to be more difficult than others.

The level of difficult of the trek may well depend on the sector of Bwindi National Park where you will be trekking to see the gorillas.

Buhoma and Ruhija sectors have relatively easier terrain, and thus may provide easier treks. On the other had the Rushaga and Nkuringo are known to be more hilly and rugged and thus providing more difficult trek.

How to prepare for a difficult gorilla trek in Bwindi forest

Fitness is key: prior fitness preparation is essential for one to be in good enough shape to trek in the highlands.

Sedan chair: a sedan seat is available for hire for the physically challenged and those not feeling strong/fit enough to hike in the mountains.

Take porters: take one or more porters that will carry any of your personal items such as the daypack, freeing you from any extra weight. The porters also provide a push or pull in places you find quite challenging

Walk stick: walking stick is a must! Wooden walking sticks are provided by the park, however you can bring own professional hiking pole for better stability.

Enough drinking water: you will need to carry at least two liters of drinking water and regular drinking will counter altitude sickness. Remember you are trekking in altitude between 1160m – 2607m above sea level.

All gorilla trekking rules: guidelines and what not do during the gorilla trek

The gorilla trekking is a bucket list wildlife adventure that many plan to tick off when visiting Africa. And so, after booking the gorilla trekking trip in Rwanda and Uganda, one is filled with anticipation and can’t wait to meet the silverback gorilla and his family in their African jungle home.

As you prepare for your gorilla adventure it is important to get acquainted with the rules or guidelines of gorilla trekking. The rules or guidelines are set by the park to limit the impact of the tourism on the gorillas and their home. The aim is to leave only footprints!

The guidelines are also to keep the tourist safe, and also to have a comfortable gorilla trekking experience in the African jungle and across a type of terrain that perhaps one has never hiked.

These gorilla trekking rules and guidelines will also be discussed during the briefing of the tourists in the morning before setting off for the gorilla trek. But it is important to have a grasp of them before the gorilla trip as by the time of the briefing at the park the adrenaline is high and may not be too attentive.

The gorilla trekking rules and guidelines in Rwanda and Uganda

Guidelines before going into the forest

Before going out into the forest to start the hike the park guide will ask if everyone is possession of these items;

  • Lunch box: A lunch box should be in hand as the duration of the gorilla trek is unpredictable, so you will have time for picnic lunch in the jungle. This often while on your back after seeing the gorillas
  • Drinking water at least 2 liters: You will need to constantly rehydrate during the hike. You also hike in high altitude and constant rehydration is vital in preventing altitude sickness.
  • Comfortable hiking shoes: Very vital for the terrain that may be wet and slippery.
  • A rain jacket: The weather in the rainforest and highlands tends to be volatile and can in instant unexpectedly release a shower on a sunny day. Read when to do the gorilla trek to learn about the weather patterns.
  • Day pack: This is to carry your possessions such as camera and phones, rain jacket, lunchbox etc…
  • Porter: hiring a porter ($15) will be highly recommended by the park guide. The porter will carry your daypack and any other items to take any extra weight from you so you can easily hike. Porter can also provide a push or pull when you need it. You can however opt to do without the porter if you can manage.

Sick people are not allowed to the gorilla trek. The park guide will ask those who do not feel to voluntarily report themselves and excuse themselves from tracking. A refund on the gorilla trekking permit is given to once who cancels the trek due to illness.

Also, only persons aged 15 and above are allowed to do the gorilla trekking. Children are exempted from the gorilla trek for a number of reasons such as; the trek being difficult, children are susceptible to diseases such as measles, mumps, cough which they can spread to the gorillas, and children do have the discipline to stay calm which is important for safety when with the gorillas

While trekking in the jungle you will observe the following guidelines;

Do not leave your turd on top. If you want to defecate the park guides will dig a hole in the ground for you to defecate in after which it should be covered with the soil. This is to prevent spreading diseases.

Do not liter in the forest.

Do not take anything from the park. You may want to pick a nice plant, fruit or flower, please do not! You may be taking away critical habitat and food for the gorillas.

When you meet the gorillas you will observe the following rules and guidelines

  1. Keep at least 7 meters from the gorillas. If a gorilla moves closer, move back and if it continues your direction step aside and give way or move until you can’t move anymore.
  2. In case the gorilla (silverback) gets an interest in you and moves so close as touching you, crouch down and do not make any movement (read here on what to do when encountering the gorillas)
  3. Do not be tempted to touch the gorilla. The young ones are often curios and can move close to you and even poke a finger on you. Stay still until it moves back.
  4. Do not use flash with the camera. It is found to agitate the silverback gorilla and may trigger the gorilla into charging.
  5. Do not look the silverback gorilla in the eyes, or avoid a long stare. The eye to eye look in the silverback gorilla communicates a challenge to the gorilla which he may take and charge you
  6. Keep your voice low. Noise may unsettle the gorillas causing them to flee or cause an attack from the silverback gorilla
  7. Do not make sudden movements when near the gorillas. This will scare the gorillas.
  8. Do not eat around the gorillas. The gorillas may find leftovers and eat them which would introduce them to another diet. The gorillas have a strict diet of plants and fruits unique to their surrounding that a change in diet could have fatal effect. The leftover may also transmit diseases to the gorillas.
  9. Do not sneeze in the face of the gorillas. If you fill an itch in the nose and feel you are about to let out a sneeze, turn your head away and sneeze inside your elbow or better in a handkerchief.

Comparing the chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and Uganda – which country offers the best chimp tour

When it comes to safari destinations in Africa, Uganda and Rwanda are popular for their primate adventures and most visitors include one or both of the two countries in their African trips just for the primates. The two most popular primate adventures that attract tourists to this part of Africa are the gorilla trekking and the chimpanzee tracking. The gorilla trek is obviously the number one primate adventure which you can do in Uganda and Rwanda as the prime destinations. In this article I compared the gorilla trekking in Uganda versus Rwanda when deciding on the country for the gorilla tour. The chimpanzee trek is often an afterthought from the gorillas, which shouldn’t be the case because the chimps who are our closest relatives offer a different experience, which you could find is way more exciting than the gorillas!

In this article I compare the chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and the chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda to guide you in making a choice if you are wondering where to go for the chimps tour in Africa.

Pros: Why you should do your chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

  1. Relatively cheap permit: The chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda costs $90 which is cheaper than the $200 charged when trekking in Kibale National Park Uganda’s prime chimp tour destination.
  2. Guaranteed sightings of chimps: The park will ensure you trek one of the only two habituated chimpanzee groups in Nyungwe National Park that is confirmed to be more accessible that day hence guaranteeing your sightings.
  3. Great hiking adventure because of the mountain landscape: Nyungwe forest National Park where the chimp trek is done is a mountain forest which offers an amazing hike for the active travelers and hiking enthusiast.
  4. Amazing scenery in the mountain forest: Nyungwe forest which is located on the rolling highlands rewards with breathtaking views as a bonus on your chimp trek.
  5. Add the canopy walk experience which is a highlight of Nyungwe: The best canopy walk experience by far in the East African region, a tour in Nyungwe is not complete without the canopy walk adventure in Nyungwe that will spice your chimpanzee trekking adventure in Rwanda.
  6. You can stay at Lake Kivu one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa, while tracking the chimps: Also, a big bonus to trekking chimpanzee is fall back to nearby Lake Kivu to offer great relaxation and amazing scenery after trek.

Here is a short 2 day chimpanzee trip to Nyungwe National Park

Cons: some reasons you may decide not to do your chimp trek in Rwanda

  1. Limited chimpanzee tracking permits: Rwanda has only one park for the chimpanzee tracking (Nyungwe Forest National Park) and just two habituated groups in the park. Since only 8 people can track the chimps in a day, that means only 16 permits are available in one day. The limited permits can be a hinderance to your trip planning as it is easy to miss the permits which sell out quickly.
  2. Hard trek: The mountainous terrain of Nyungwe can be a challenge for the trek and especially given the chimps are also very active primates. Older and less fit people may find the chimp trek in Rwanda quite a challenge

Pros: Why you may prefer do to your chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

  1. Many options for the chimp trek: There many destinations in Uganda for the chimpanzee trek. Unlike Rwanda which has just one park, Uganda has several destinations where you can do the chimp trek in the different regions and some of them include Kibale forest, Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest, etc… This abundance of the chimpanzee destinations makes it easy for you to incorporate the adventure in your Uganda safari trip.
  2. Many chimpanzee permits: With many destinations and many habituated chimpanzee groups, there is a lot of availability of chimpanzee tracking permits in Uganda and therefore not so easy to miss out.
  3. Can get affordable chimp tracking: Price of chimpanzee trekking permit differs according to the destination and one can find a cheaper chimp trekking permit for as low as $40, a great thing for the backpackers and students who may not afford the $200 price of the chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale National Park which is the country’s major chimpanzee tours destination.
  4. Easier trek: Terrain of many of the destinations is not mountainous hence offering an easier hike that is favorable even for the older citizens or less fit persons.

Cons: Why you may not prefer Uganda for your chimpanzee trekking

  1. Some destinations do not provide a 100% chance of seeing the chimps. However the prime destination Kibale National Park offer 100% chance of seeing the chimps.
  2. Trek is less exclusive with many tracking groups setting off into the forest and can cross paths as each tracks down their habituated chimp group.