You may be wondering whether to trek gorilla or to go for chimpanzee trekking as an option to add on your safari visit. By doing both trekking, you will have a great experience of both encounters.
Price of permits.
Tracking gorillas is an experience of a lifetime. However, if you have to decide between tracking chimpanzees or gorillas, there are still several factors. Permits to see gorillas for 1 hour at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park are the most expensive (800 USD) while tracking or even a habituation experience costs just a fraction of that (1500$). For chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park in Uganda, the chimpanzee permit costs 200 dollars, while for chimpanzee habituation, it costs 250 dollars. For chimpanzees trekking at Kalinzu forest and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the permit costs 50 dollars. At Cyamudongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park, a chimpanzee permit costs 130 dollars.
Gorilla trekking permit costs 1500 dollars at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and chimpanzee permit costs 150 dollars plus 100$ park fees.
The cost for a gorilla permit is 400 dollars in DR Congo at Kahuzi Bienga National Park and Virunga National Park.
Behaviors
Additionally, gorillas are more quiet species. Once you spot a family of them, there is not much happening in the community. Hierarchy is quite established in gorilla families, and you will rarely see quick reactions or disagreements between the group. The mother is busy grooming their babies, while the juveniles play around, while the silverback’s seat and watches over the black backs. Guests seat and watch the gorillas, with less movements.
The chimpanzees on the other hand are more mobile, and very entertaining. You will always be moving around, running after the chimpanzees, and a lot of up and down encounters are experienced during the trekking.
Besides this, chimpanzee and gorilla tracking are quite popular in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Groups of travelers have a maximum of 8 people, and depending on the season, finding a spot for both activities can be done on short notice or simply months in advance.
For gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safaris, get in touch with One More Adventure Safaris, who are experts in tailoring private safaris across the region.
