Uganda is home to many different primate species. If you have ever tracked primates anywhere but not in Uganda I can term that uncompleted adventure. The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill scalled Uganda the Pearl of Africa and this was not overrated! His statement magnifies the beauty which the country can offer.
Uganda is arguably one of the most populated primate destination with over 15 primate species dominated by the gorillas and chimpanzees the world most preferred primates that travelers seek for when they take a safari holiday. Uganda is known as one of the three endemic homes for gorillas in the world, and the rare golden monkeys.
Among the primates to encounter in Uganda includes the world most endangered species the mountain gorilla, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, olive Baboon, mangebay monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys, bush babies, patas moneys and pottos monkeys among others.
Primates to encounter and destinations where they’re found.
Top Primates Watching
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest, Kaniyo Pabidi, Kibale Forest, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kyambura Gorge and Semuliki National Park.
- Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Colobus Monkey Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park.
Where to Go
Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga premier on the list of primates adventures in Uganda due to their inhabits the mountain gorillas. The two parks makes Uganda one destination to encounter in two national parks, from the two parks Uganda shares almost half of the world mountain gorilla population.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park contains the highest density of primates in all of Africa. As well as the gorilla and chimpanzee, the black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, grey cheeked mangabey, l’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, and olive baboons can be seen during game drives, launch trips or nature walks, along smaller nocturnal species such as the bush baby and potto.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga National Park also contains one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered golden monkey, black and white colobus monkeys are among the most frequently spotted species. The name “colobus” means “mutilated” in Greek, as unlike other primates, they are lacking thumbs. The troops of 5-10 individuals are easily seen in branches as a result of their striking coloring – black with long white tufts at the ends of their long tails. Infants are born pure white. The dog-like baboons live in large groups and are regularly seen along roadsides, where they wait to ambush cars in search of food. They spend more time on the ground than most other primate species, but sleep in trees at night. If water is scarce, they can survive for long periods by licking the dew from their fur.
Enjoy Primate Safaris
On the other hand primate safaris in Uganda can be combined to Rwanda to give you a greater Africa safari experience. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in the Volcanoes National park in Musanze on the ranges of the Virunga Mountains as well as Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla treks are conducted daily in the Virunga Mountains, a region that stretch for the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda and finally to Uganda. This implies that all these three destinations can be good spots to watch the Gorillas.
But in terms of a budgeted safari in Africa on gorilla trekking, Rwanda will be the best among the three countries because you move a shorter distance from Kigali to the gorilla forests in Musanze, compared to Uganda and Congo which looks more remote. Self driven safaris in Rwanda are more affordable in Rwanda because you will get the best vehicle in Rwanda compared to other countries.