Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves moving through thick tropical rainforests in search of wild mountain gorillas. On the other hand, chimpanzee trekking takes a visitor through the thick rainforests in search of wild chimpanzees.
The gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking adventures may have some similarities but they have quite a number of differences too.
Gorilla trekking takes a much longer time as compared to chimpanzee trekking. A successful gorilla trekking adventure lasts for about four to five hours while the chimpanzee trekking activity usually goes for a maximum of two to three hours. This is because the chimpanzees have smaller home ranges as compared to the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is only done in two national parks that is to say Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park for mountain gorillas while chimpanzee trekking is done in a variety of national parks and reserves in the densely forested areas.
The gorilla trekking activity is done in only one session in a day starting at around 8:00 AM and ending in the afternoon. The chimpanzee trekking activity on the other hand is done in 2 sessions that is to say the morning session that starts at around 8:00 AM and ends at around midday and the afternoon session that begins at 2:00 PM and ends at around 4:00 PM.
The gorilla trekking activity has a fixed price that is to say $700 for foreign non-residents, $600.00 for foreign residents and Uganda shillings 250,000 for East African citizens while the chimpanzee trekking activity has varied prices depending on the location where one is going to trek the chimpanzees.
The gorilla trekking price is a bit higher than that of chimpanzee trekking. This is mainly because the gorillas offer a much more thrilling experience to travelers as compared to their counterpart primates.
The gorilla trekking adventure can be a little bit hectic since it involves hiking through mountainous regions, traversing through valleys, shrubs and crossing streams while finding the chimpanzee families can be easier since they do not usually have large home ranges especially in the wet seasons when there is food readily available. So they do not have to move long distances in search of what to feast on.
How can one combine gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking?
Combining a gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari is very possible in Uganda. It can be done through a registered tour operator for a much easier procedure. One of the most exciting combinations of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking activities is that of Kibale and Bwindi the impenetrable National Parks.
Kibale National Park is home to chimpanzees while Bwindi impenetrable hosts mountain gorillas – in fact, the highest population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Visitors can either drive or fly to the parks. Both parks unveil sensational primate experiences. It’s advisable to take the long leg first, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the mountain gorilla experience and then Kibale National Park but the reverse is also not bad.
Distance between both parks, driving distance and hours.
The distance from Kampala to Bwindi impenetrable National Park is about 501.4 kilometers taking about 10 hours and 45 minutes through the Kampala – Mbarara – Kanungu road. From Kampala to Kibale National Park, it takes a driving time of about four to five hours along the Kampala – Mubende – Fortportal road.
When to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?
The gorilla and chimpanzee trekking activities are carried out in densely forested areas and therefore the dry months are the most appropriate times when one can have uninterrupted experiences in the jungle. The dry months in Uganda are during the times from early June to late September which is the long dry season and the short dry season that runs from early December to late February.
The dry months are the best because they are characterized by steady grounds that make it easier for travelers to traverse through the rainforests with no hardships unlike in the wet months when the grounds are slippery. The weather is not fair since the rains usually disturb and make it a little bit harder to maneuver through the shrubs and forests.
