Primate Watching in Uganda: Uganda is home to many fascinating primate species, many of which are found in Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of the world harboring the highest density of primate species. Common primate species here include chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkeys, L’ Hoest , Olive baboons and the Blue monkeys.
The endangered mountain gorillas are the most popular primates in Uganda found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Other primate species found in Uganda include the golden monkeys only spotted in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is the highlight of any safari in Uganda, the endangered mountain gorillas are trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and in Mgahinga National Park. There are 23 habituated gorilla families open for tourists to visit on gorilla trekking experience, only 8 people are allowed to visit each gorilla family in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
To spend one hour with then endangered primates, you need a gorilla permit which are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also home to chimpanzees and monkeys. In addition to gorilla trekking, other activities include visiting the Batwa Pygmies, golden monkey tracking, guided nature walks and bird watching.
Mountain gorillas are endangered species only found in two populations, one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and another population in Virunga Conservation Area comprising of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzees are our closest relative and Uganda has over 5000 and more calling the country’s forests home. The best destination known for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is Kibale Forest National Park, home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees, olive baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Chimpanzee trekking is done on morning starting early at 08:00 am and afternoon starting at 02:00 pm. chimpanzee treks takes approximately 30 minutes to 4 hours or more depending on the movement of the chimpanzees with one hour of being in their presence.
Other destinations where chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is done include Semuliki National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park. other places where chimpanzees are kept in Uganda include Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and Ngamba Island Sanctuary were orphaned primates are kept for tourism purposes.
Golden Monkey Tracking in Uganda
Golden monkeys are unique creatures and close relatives to both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, these species are endangered and are only found in three countries including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These playful primates weigh 10 to 25 pounds and have got a golden body, tails, cheeks, body and black limbs. They are also known as a sub specie of the blue monkeys which are mainly found in bamboo forests in Virunga Volcanoes of Congo.
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have been habituated to human presence and they can be trekked on golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys live in groups of 30 to 80 individuals being led by an adult male. Usually the female golden monkeys defend the territories and provide protection, they fed to plant species including the leaves, fruits, invertebrates as well as the bamboo.
On this primate experience, visitors are escorted by guided and armed rangers in small groups and start to hike the bamboo forests where these beautiful primates live. These playful species are hard to get on camera and tourists are advised to use a low light in the dense forest.
Monkey Species Found in Uganda
Baboons
Also known as Olive baboons, these primates are can be viewed in three main national parks namely; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Mount Elgon National Park and Rwenzori National Park.
Olive baboons are found in almost 25 countries of Africa and they are known in living in large groups of about 150 individuals comprising of few males and many females and their young ones. Olive baboons a large in size and are fierce due to their dog like faces and menacing teeth. These are large enough to be viewed by all the visitors that come to visit the national parks where they are found.
Black and White colobus Monkeys
These beautiful primates are known as old monkeys of the genus colobus family and mainly in live in Africa. They are greatly related to the brown colobus monkeys and mainly live in Riverine forest, wooded grasslands and forests. Their groups are made of nine individuals including a white face as well as a tail.
Blue Monkeys
Blue monkeys are mainly found in East African mainly Uganda and Congo. They have little hair on their faces and gives a blue appearance most of the times but not really blue in color. They mainly live montane, bamboo forests, ever green forests, and the forest canopy.
They like humid and shady places with plenty of water. They mainly feed on leaves, invertebrates as well as fruits. Thriving in groups made of 4to 12 individuals mainly consists of one male, many females with their young ones.
Blue monkeys can be seen in Murchison Falls National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
Other primates found in Uganda include De Brazza’s Monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabee Monkey, L’ Hoest’s Monkeys, Patas Monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkey and Nocturnal Primates including Bus babies and Pottos.