The family of Hominidae, also known as the 'great apes' or 'hominids', fall under the primate category in taxonomic classification. The family is made up of four distinct groups. 'Pongo' includes the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutan. The 'Gorilla' group is comprised of both eastern and western gorillas. Pan is the third group, the chimpanzee and the bonobo. Lastly, we have our own group - 'Homo'; although it's only (Homo sapiens) that remain. Safari opportunities exist to trek to see each of the groups in the wild.
Orangutans
Orangutans are found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. These solitary creatures spend most of their lives in trees, making them the largest arboreal mammal in the world. Their habitat is rapidly declining due to deforestation, primarily for palm oil production, posing a significant threat to their survival.
Orangutans have distinctive reddish fur, unlike the other great apes. They possess strong arms that stretch out to a span wider than their bodies, enabling them to navigate through the forest canopy with ease. Orangutans have a high degree of intelligence, demonstrated by their use of tools for foraging and creating nests in trees for sleep.
One of the most striking features of orangutans is their facial expression, which can convey a wide range of emotions. They have a slow reproductive rate, with females giving birth to a single offspring every 8 to 9 years, which is the longest birth interval of any land mammal. This slow reproduction rate makes their populations particularly vulnerable to extinction. Tours in Borneo, Indonesia and Malaysia support conservation efforts for the survival of the species.
Gorillas
Gorillas inhabit the forests of central Sub-Saharan Africa. They are divided into two species: the Eastern gorilla and the Western gorilla, each with two subspecies. Their habitats range from montane forests to swamps. Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, with some males weighing over 400 pounds. They live in groups called troops, led by a dominant male known as a silverback, named for the distinctive silver fur on his back that comes with maturity. Gorillas are primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, and shoots.
Gorillas are known for their powerful physical presence, but they are generally gentle and shy. They have a complex social structure and show remarkable emotional depth, capable of empathy and sorrow. Gorillas use a variety of vocalizations to communicate within the troop, and they have been observed using tools in the wild. Gorilla safaris in Uganda, the Congo and Rwanda are opportunities to visit with these amazing animals up close. Because of the endangered nature of the species, great precautions are taken to avoid passing on any human related sicknesses to the gorilla populations.
Chimpanzees
Humans share approximately 98% of our DNA with Chimpanzees. They are found across central and West Africa in a range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to savannahs. Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda and Odzala in the Republic of the Congo, as well as Kibale National Park in Uganda and the Mahale Mountains of western Tanzania, are popular venues for chimpanzee treks.
Chimpanzees are highly adaptable but face threats from habitat destruction, hunting, and disease. They are smaller than gorillas but are incredibly agile and strong. They live in large, social communities that can consist of over 100 individuals, organized in a complex hierarchy. Chimps are omnivores, eating a varied diet that includes fruits, nuts, seeds, insects, and occasionally small mammals.
Chimpanzees are known for their use of tools, such as sticks to extract termites from mounds, stones to crack nuts, and leaves as sponges to drink water. They exhibit a wide range of behaviors that indicate high levels of intelligence and emotional complexity, including the ability to plan, deceive, and show compassion. Their facial expressions and gestures closely resemble those of humans, reflecting their close genetic relationship to us.
Humans
It comes as a surprise to many that humans are considered one of the four families of Great Apes. Humans are the most adaptable of the great apes, capable of surviving in a wide range of environments across the globe. From the ice-bound regions of Antarctica to the deserts of Africa, humans have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to modify their surroundings to suit their needs. Humans are characterized by their bipedal locomotion, high brain volume, and capacity for abstract thought, speech, and language. Our societies are complex, with diverse cultures, languages, and technologies that have evolved over thousands of years.
The predominant features of humans include our cognitive abilities, which allow for the creation of art, music, literature, and advanced technology. Unlike other apes, humans have a highly developed ability to use complex language for communication.