Observing the Great Apes

No wildlife experience can be more intimate than spending time with our closest relatives in the primate family, chimpanzees and gorillas. The leading conservation biologist of our time, George Schaller, who performed the first study of mountain gorillas says “Gorillas are our kin, mirrors of ourselves, closer to us than any other creature except the chimpanzee.”

Gorilla Trekking
Chimpanzee Trekking

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking can be hard work as a park ranger guide leads you up the often slippery slope of volcanic mountains through misty forests until you catch up with a group of habituated gorillas. Typically you will eventually come upon a group that has hunkered down to eat and you can observe the powerful but most gentle animals go about their business with tranquility. The hour in their presence is a time for peace and reflection as you gaze into the eyes that mirror a shared soul from a distant past. Please visit The Wild Source Gorilla Page for more information about Gorillas.

Return to Top

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is even more limited in opportunities than gorillas and is more far a field to reach. Thus, even fewer people have had the privilege of observing our closest relative in their forest home. While difficult trekking and dense forests are shared traits with the gorilla experience the observation is often startlingly different from viewing gorillas. Chimps are extremely vocal and quite active, which means treks may continue for quite a while as the chimps continue to move as they feed. Chimps are socially well organized and you can even learn about their complicated politics, yet at times you feel as if chaos has broken out all around you as a variety of vocalizations echo through the forest, trees limbs are snapped clean off, and little skirmishes may ensue in-front of your eyes. While overwhelmed with all that is happening the soul is still stirred by these closest of kin with frequent reminders of how similar we are. Please visit The Wild Source Chimpanzee Page for more information about Chimpanzees.

Return to Top