Combine Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking
Combine Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking
East Africa is among the few places in the world where tourists can enjoy the gorilla trekking adventure and chimpanzee trekking on the same safari. A mix of these two adventures gives you the chance to see the rarest primates in their natural environment, whether it is the foggy mountains of Uganda and Rwanda or the tropical rainforests. To conservationists, wildlife lovers, and adventure tourists, a gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari is the primate experience of a lifetime.
A combination of Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Trekking. Why?
Gorillas and chimpanzees are both very smart and closely related to humans in their genes, but their behaviour and their habitat greatly differ. Gorilla trekking provides visitors with a close experience of peaceful, family-oriented mountain gorillas, whereas chimpanzee trekking presents individuals with active, noisy groups of swinging canopy-dwelling chimpanzees. The two are combined to have a better understanding of primate variety and can bring added value to your East Africa safari.
It is also convenient for most of the travellers. The two most popular primate trekking destinations, Rwanda and Uganda, are neighbouring countries that have easy border crossings. You can also visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Volcanoes National Park to see gorillas and Kibale Forest or Nyungwe National Park to see chimpanzees in one trip. It is also the best combination to maximise your investment in the permits and the time spent travelling, and make your journey more rewarding.
Top Gorilla Trekking.
There are only four gorilla trekking zones in the whole world where mountain gorilla trekking is practised. In Uganda, the primary trekking areas are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi is particularly known to have a high number of habituated gorilla families that are located in various areas such as Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. Although smaller, Mgahinga is an attractive trek that offers a view of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Volcanoes National Park is the most frequented gorilla trekking destination in Rwanda. It provides a quicker drive time out of Kigali and a nice facility, but the gorilla permits are higher in this area than in Uganda. The two parks offer an exciting experience of walking through thick forests and eventually, having a gorilla family peacefully feeding or grooming in the wild.
Best Chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee trekking is also thrilling but quite different to gorilla tracking. Kibale Forest National Park is the first place to visit in Uganda, commonly known as the primate capital of the world. It has over 1,500 chimpanzees and various groups that can be trekked. Chimpanzee tracking is also known in the Budongo Forest of Murchison Falls National Park and in the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Nyungwe National Park is one of the best places to view chimpanzees in East Africa in Rwanda. The canopy walk, thick rainforest, and biodiversity of the park make it an interesting place to visit. Trekkers tend to begin early in the morning, after the forest calls, until they come upon troops of chimps feeding, playing, or patrolling their territory.
A combination of the two Safaris.
It is also possible to combine gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in the same trip with a well-planned itinerary. A large number of travellers fly into Kigali, Rwanda, and have good links with the prime destinations of Rwanda and Uganda. It is only a few hours’ drive out of Kigali to Volcanoes National Park of gorillas or Nyungwe Forest of chimpanzees. Alternatively, one can enter Uganda at Cyanika or Gatuna borders and go to Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimps.
Tour operators will frequently package together the two experiences, like 7 Days Gorillas and Chimps Safari or 10 Days Primates and Wildlife Adventure, with game drives in places like Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, or Akagera. This is a blend that offers the travellers a balanced safari of the primates and the traditional African wild animals, such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and hippos.
Permit Costs and Booking
The primary cost is gorilla trekking permits. A gorilla permit in Rwanda is approximately 1500 dollars, as compared to Uganda, which is $800. Chimpanzee permits are cheaper and typically cost between $60 and $200, depending on the place. There are limited permits, which have to be reserved beforehand, particularly during the peak season (June to September and December to February). A reputable tour operator can assist in the procurement of permits, transportation, and professional guides.
A combination of Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is best done at the same time.
Dry seasons, June to September and December to February, are the most ideal seasons to do the primate trekking. Trails are not as slippery, visibility is clear, and the weather is more favourable to hiking. But the wet seasons (March to May and October to November) are not without merits either. The forests are green and fertile, tourists are fewer, and in some cases, permits and lodges are at discounted rates. To the low-end traveller, one can do a combination of the two treks during the low season and save on the total expenses, yet have an excellent experience.
Practical Travel Tips
Physical Preparation- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking involve moderate fitness levels. Increases may take between two and six hours, depending on the location of the primates. Carry hiking boots, long-sleeved garments, gloves, and rain gear.
Transport: There are rough access roads to Bwindi and in areas of Nyungwe, which become particularly bad during the rainy season. When a 4×4 vehicle is hired, it becomes easy to travel and is flexible.
Medical requirements: Travellers will be required to provide evidence of a yellow fever vaccination upon entering the country. Bring insect repellent, malaria prophylaxis, and enough drinking water.
Conservation Etiquette: Keep a minimum of 7 meters distance between you and the primates, do not use flash photography, and obey the instructions of the ranger. These regulations protect tourists and wildlife.
Accommodation Options
There is a variety of lodges and camps in the areas around the trekking sites in both Uganda and Rwanda. Bwindi has luxury lodges such as Buhoma Lodge and Gorilla Forest Camp, mid-range and budget guesthouses. Volcanoes National Park has luxurious lodges in Rwanda, including Bisite Lodge and Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. Nyungwe has hotels such as One&Only Nyungwe House to serve the high-end tourist and Gisakura Guest House to cater to the low-end tourist. Being near the park gates helps to save early morning transportation and gives maximum time to the trek.
Conclusion
Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking are some of the best safari experiences that can be combined in East Africa. It will enable the travellers to see the two most recognisable great apes in the wild as well as experience the various landscapes, culture and wildlife in Uganda and Rwanda. Starting either in Kigali or Kampala, a cross-border itinerary is not difficult with proper planning. Early permit bookings, an experienced tour operator and the adventurous spirit all make this a combination safari to be remembered throughout life.
Would you mind me writing this up as a sample 7 days combined gorilla and chimpanzee trekking itinerary (in the same format you are using to write your safari itineraries) so you can have an article and a package product?
