Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee trekiing are one of the most pivotal tourism safari activities and these are popular in three countries, Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. These famous Primates bring thousands of tourists who want to have a chance of evidencing these majestic creatures to these three countries. These two primate categories are apes both sharing 98% DNA with humans and mistakenly People think they are the same because of how they kind of look alike that is too say, they all move in groups led by males, both are hairy with clear faces, eat herbs and fruits and so on. Basing on that, its easy to think they are the same but we will help state some of their differences.
Gorillas are larger, more muscular herbivores with small, backward-facing ears and predominantly ground-dwelling habits, while chimpanzees are smaller, omnivorous, tree-dwelling primates with large, protruding ears, and pinkish faces. Gorillas are known for their docility and herbivorous diet of plants, while chimps are more aggressive and use tools to hunt.
Size and Build
Gorillas: The largest of the apes, they are significantly bigger and more muscular with broad chests and large heads. They weigh between 100 to 270 kgs while adult.
Chimpanzees: Smaller and more slender than gorillas, with a less bulky physique. They weigh between 40 to 70 kgs
Appearance
Gorillas: Covered in coarse, dark hair, with adult males developing silver hair on their backs, hence the term "silverback".
Chimpanzees: Have large ears that stick out from their heads and distinctive pink faces.
Diet and Behavior
Gorillas: Are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, shoots, and stems. They are generally peaceful and spend most of their time on the ground.
Chimpanzees: Are omnivorous and have a more varied diet, sometimes eating meat. They are more energetic and spend a considerable amount of time in trees.
Intelligence and Social Structure
Gorillas: Known for their social, family-oriented groups and are less likely to use tools.
Chimpanzees: Are highly intelligent and known for their advanced tool use and problem-solving skills.
Habitat and Ground Time
Gorillas: Spend most of their time on the ground, building nests there or on the ground.
Chimpanzees: Spend a considerable amount of time in trees, making nests for sleeping.
Cost of Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits
In the entire world, there are three safari destinations where the gorilla trekkers go to do gorilla trekking that is Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. To do Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee trekking, the tourists are required to obtain permits to do gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee trekking, and this needs to be obtained in advance.
The gorilla permit cost makes up most of the price for a gorilla tour, taking the lion’s share of the total journey’s cost. In Uganda, the permit is offered at a regular price of $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 for Foreign residents with a working permits, $500 for African Citizens and, 250.000 ugx for East Africans.
The Gorilla habituation Experience pass, which offers a more intuitive experience, costs $1,500 per foreign nonresident. Foreign residents pay $1,000, and EA nationals pay UGX750,000 per person per day. The experience allows a guest only 4 hours with the wild mountain gorilla family.
The gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person per day for foreign Non-residents, $500 for Foreign residents and $200 for East African Residents, with discounts offered during some seasons. As a result, most travelers consider Rwanda a high-end luxury destination for gorilla trekking.
The cost of the trekking permits in Uganda differs depending on the chimpanzee destination you have chosen. The cost is also determined depending on the category of tourists you belong to and these are foreign non-residents, foreign residents and EAC citizens. The cost of the chimpanzee permit in Kibale is $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents and UGX180,000 for EAC citizens. The cost of the chimp permit in Kyambura is $100 for foreign non-residents, $80 for foreign residents and UGX50,000 for EAC citizens. The cost of the chimp trek permit in Kalinzu forest is $130 for foreign non-residents, $65 for foreign residents and $65 for East African citizens. The cost of a chimpanzee trek permit in Budongo forest is $230 for foreign non-residents, $120 for foreign residents and $85 for EAC citizens.
