Gorilla Trekking vs Chimpanzee Trekking: Your Ultimate Primate Adventure Guide

Embark on an unforgettable wildlife experience in Africa, where you can meet our closest relatives in the wild. Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking are two of the most sought-after activities for adventurers and nature lovers, offering incredible encounters with primates in their natural habitats.

What is Gorilla Trekking?

Gorilla trekking is a guided activity where tourists enter the misty rainforests with expert trackers and rangers to locate and observe mountain gorillas. Once found, visitors spend a limited time with the gorillas, observing their social behaviors—playing, grooming, and even using simple tools. The experience is both humbling and awe-inspiring, as you witness these gentle giants up close.

What is Chimpanzee Trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking is similar in concept but differs in pace and dynamics. Chimpanzees are agile, fast, and often unpredictable, making each encounter lively and action-packed. Guided treks allow you to observe their complex behaviors, including tool use, communication through over 25 unique sounds, and their family dynamics.

Gorilla Trekking vs Chimpanzee Trekking – Which is Better?

Both experiences are extraordinary and provide a direct connection to our closest primate relatives. Key differences include:

• Size & Visibility: Gorillas are larger and easier to spot, even in dense forests, while chimpanzees are smaller and more agile, requiring patience and expert guidance.

• Behavior: Gorillas are calm, gentle, and move slowly, allowing more time for observation and photography. Chimpanzees are energetic and constantly moving, offering dynamic and unpredictable moments.

• Terrain: Gorillas inhabit highland forests with steep terrain, requiring sturdy shoes and hiking energy. Chimpanzees prefer lowland forests with flatter surfaces, making trekking easier but still exciting.

• Group Structure: Gorilla groups are cohesive and protective, making sightings more predictable. Chimpanzee groups are dispersed and constantly foraging, which makes tracking more challenging.

Trekking Rules for Gorillas and Chimpanzees

To protect both primates and visitors, strict rules are enforced:

1. Do not eat near the animals.

2. Avoid mimicking their sounds or actions.

3. Keep distance from alpha males.

4. Maintain a safe and respectful distance at all times.

5. Speak softly and keep noise minimal.

6. Follow your guide’s instructions closely.

Group Size Limits

• Gorilla trekking: Maximum of 8 people per gorilla group.

• Chimpanzee trekking: 10–12 visitors per chimpanzee group; 4 visitors for habituation experiences.

Where to Trek

Mountain Gorillas:

• Virunga ranges (Rwanda, DRC, Uganda)

• Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks (Uganda)

Chimpanzees:

• Kibale Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

• Ngamba Island (Lake Victoria)

Trekking Costs

Taxonomy of Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Both gorillas and chimpanzees are great apes and part of the hominoid family alongside humans, bonobos, and orangutans. Key distinctions:

• Gorillas: Family Gorillini, Genus Gorilla.

• Chimpanzees: Family Homininae, Genus Pan.