Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are primates that live in the jungles of Rwanda. Chimpanzees live in the jungles of Nyungwe Forest National Park located in the south western part of the country while mountain gorillas live in the jungles of volcanoes national park located in the north western part of Rwanda. Both the chimpanzees and the mountain gorillas have over 98% of their DNA similar to humans and are therefore some of the human beings wild closest relatives.
Today, mountain gorillas are the prime wildlife attractions in Rwanda and every year the number of tourists going to the jungles of volcanoes national park to trek one of the 10 habituated mountain gorilla families increase. What amazes is that all of the people who trek gorillas always cannot stop talking about the remarkable experiences they had while in the wild in hour they spend with these incredible animals. Mountain gorillas are very endangered apes estimated to be about only 900 remaining on earth. All of the 900 mountain gorillas live in the forested mountainous areas of the Virunga Volcanoes and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park located in southwestern Uganda.
Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda offers a double wildlife safari experience because as you hike through the forests searching for the gorillas, you get to see other wildlife species including a variety of tree species, birds, butterflies and many other insects.
Another advantage of mountain gorilla safaris in Rwanda is that the forests have enough lighting and therefore it’s always easy for one to take a clear mountain gorilla photograph in order to capture the unique moments while in the jungle.
Mountain gorillas having a DNA very close to humans makes them very vulnerable to human diseases and for that reason tourists with flu and other easily spread diseases are not allowed to go for mountain gorilla treks. Those who go are limited to eight individuals trekking one mountain gorilla family a day and are given just an hour to interact with the mountain gorillas after finding them. All these are conservation measures done for the good of the mountain gorillas to ensure their sustainability despite their limited numbers.
Carrying out mountain gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is very safe. Tourists are always led with well experiences guides who have the necessary information the tourists maybe interested in and by the end of the safari, tourists are very happy and satisfied just eagerly waiting to share their memorable experiences to their friends and family.
Chimpanzee tracking on the other hand is usually done in Nyungwe forest national park and it’s the major tourist activity undertaken by most visitors to Nyungwe. Much as the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest have been fully got used human presence in there habitants, tracking them also offers unique and incredible experiences. Similar to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees also live in groups but are very mobile and are usually seen jumping from one tree to another.
What makes chimpanzee tracking more enjoyable is that once you get in their proximity, there is no time limit for you to view them as while viewing the mountain gorillas where you are strictly given an hour. You can view the chimpanzees for more than an hour however note that you might not be able to get close to them as you do for mountain gorillas but nevertheless, the feeling Is very exciting and incredible.
Nyungwe forest being very thick, there are no clear paths followed, instead paths are made as you hike which gives tourists a close feel of being in a real African jungle. Chimpanzee tracking is very adventurous and mysterious as you make way through the dense forests with sightings of many other wildlife species in the forest like birds.
Both mountain gorilla safaris and chimpanzee tracking are very impressive activities that all tourists in Rwanda should undertake. Mountain gorilla permits are only sold at $750 and those for chimpanzee tracking are sold at $90.