Uganda Primate Safari
Uganda primate safari is the most sought after safari in Africa, and Uganda is the best destination you can for the most fulfilling primate tours in African and perhaps the world at large. Despite the deteriorating primate population in Africa and the whole world at large, Uganda has tried to sustain its primate community for a long time, and the good news is, the numbers are steadily increasing year by year, thanks to the Uganda wildlife authority which has worked so hard to make sure that all the primates and other wildlife resources are sustained. However, the Uganda wildlife authority could not make the primate sustainability programs successful without the help of all the stakeholders, you inclusive; all the primate trekking permits sold to travellers to Uganda, pave way for more consolidated sustainability programs in different primate safari destinations in Uganda, such as bwindi impenetrable national park, mgahinga national park, kibale national park, kalinzu forest reserve, kyambura gorge, budongo forest and kaniyo pabidi forest among others.
Uganda primate safaris are the only way you can find out about the different primate species in the pearl of Africa. The tropical forest of Uganda, are homes and habitats for about 13 species of primates including, the famous mountain gorillas of Bwindi impenetrable national park, the golden monkeys of mgahinga national park, chimpanzees are mainly found in kibale national park, patas monkey, the olive baboons are common, l’hoest’s monkeys, the black and white colobus monkeys are mainly found in kibale national park, the red tailed monkey, the blue monkey, and the grey-cheeked mangabey, et cetera. A primate safari in Uganda is a chance for you to enjoy watching the chimpanzees playing in the thick tropical rain forest of the pearl of Africa, the baboons staring eagerly at you along the park roads, plus marvel at the impressive, but endangered, mountain gorillas in bwindi impenetrable national park and mgahinga national park; the time with the mountain gorillas in a natural setting is the most rewarding primate safari experience in Uganda. Actually, a Uganda primate safari is the climax of any African journey.
The presence of the primates in Uganda is greatly supported by the climate of the region which allows the growth of the thick tropical rain forests in the different parts of the country; the tropical rain forest are the safe haven for a number of primate species, plus other wildlife. The pearl of Africa, Uganda is well known for the great primate population hidden in the thick forests with in the country.one of the most interesting facts about the primates in Uganda, is, the primates are believed to be with, almost, the same DNA as the humans; the primates in Uganda, most especially the chimpanzees, possess almost the same features, traits and behavioral patterns similar to those of humans, such as copulation, tool usage skills, the four limbs, among other interesting things you are yet to find out during the Uganda primate safari.
Activities you can enjoy during a primate safari in Uganda
There is a unique list of activities associated with the Uganda primate safari, some of which are only done in Uganda only and in specific destinations. Therefore, if you are planning any primate safari in Uganda, it is good if you could make some real specifications about the activities and the destination you want to visit in Uganda. And if you are a new primate traveler, work with an experienced tour operator in order to have the very best of your primate safari in Uganda.
Encounter gorilla habituation and chimpanzee habituation
The primate safari in Uganda offers you a lifetime chance of enjoying mountain gorilla habituation in bwindi impenetrable national park. In the whole world, it is only in Uganda where you can encounter mountain gorilla habituation. Bwindi impenetrable national park has the largest number of mountain gorillas, about half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, dwelling in different sectors with in the national park. However, mountain gorilla habituation in bwindi impenetrable national park is conducted in the Rushaga sector. Mountain gorilla habituation is not totally a tourist activity, it is more of a research activity, conducted by scientists from the shadow primatologists together with highly skilled game rangers. However, the Uganda world life authority saw it such delightful if you could join the group and teach the mountain gorillas some human ways in order to make mountain gorilla trekking a lovely experience for the other tourists. Mountain gorilla habituation is intended to making the endangered species in bwindi impenetrable national park used too human encounters; it is such a “raw” tourist experience, as you get to learn the real wild ways of the mountain gorillas in a natural setting.
Chimpanzee habituation, on the other hand, is not much different from mountain gorilla habituation. However, chimpanzee habituation is done in kibale national park also known as the primate capital of the world. Kibale national park is a home for the largest population of chimpanzees in East Africa; it holds the lives of about 1400 chimpanzees that dwell in the deep forest zones. Chimpanzee habituation will allow you to enjoy a full day with these primates, also humans’ closest relatives. The full day of chimpanzee habituation in kibale national park is a chance for you to learn a lot about the chimpanzees, you can also get a chance to enjoy naming some newly born chimps in kibale national park. Chimpanzee habituation in kibale national park is mainly done in the low tourism season because it is a sensitive research program and the results are evaluated and used to strengthen the primate sustainability projects in Uganda.
Mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
A primate safari in Uganda is the right opportunity to enjoy trekking for the mountain gorillas in bwindi impenetrable national park. Unlike mountain gorilla habituation, mountain gorilla trekking is cheaper and also affordable for all. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most booked activity in Uganda and highlights the primate safaris in the whole African continent. Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda, it is your best option in east Africa, for all the mountain gorilla lovers. Uganda holds the largest mountain gorilla population among the national parks on the virunga conservation area; Volcanoes national park and virunga national park. Within the shortest trekking distance in the buhoma sector, you can find your mountain gorilla group and enjoy a one hour time, where you get to take all the photos and also learn a lot about the mountain gorillas.
On the other hand, chimpanzee trekking is best done in kibale national park, however you can also enjoy chimpanzee trekking for other destinations in the country, for example, kyambura gorge in queen Elizabeth national park, kalinzu forest reserve in Kaseses, Kaniyo pabidi forest and budongo forest in Murchison falls national park among others destinations in Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking in kibale national park is the highlight for, almost, all the vistas in the park. Chimpanzee trekking will allow you to have a one hour fun with the habituated group of chimpanzees, where you get to learn a lot about the chimpanzee behavioural and take some epic photos among others. Chimpanzee trekking in kibale national park is a chance for you to enjoy the other primates of the forest such as the black and white colobus monkeys, the red tailed monkeys, the vervet monkeys, and the olive baboons among others.
Golden monkey trekking
This is another activity that you can enjoy for your Uganda primate safari, and a supplement to mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in bwindi national park and kibale national park, respectively. The golden monkeys are critically an endangered species of primates in all the world, however, Uganda is blessed with a good community of golden monkeys with dwell in the rocky mountains of mgahinga national park in south western Uganda. The golden monkeys claim their name form the golden fur on their cheeks and the back, they are really unique primates and watching them is one of the primate safari achievements you can record besides mountain gorilla trekking. Just like gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, the golden monkey trekking is only allowed for those who have the trekking permits. To note, there is no other place in East Africa you can go for the golden monkeys besides mgahinga national park.
Destinations options for Uganda primate safaris
- Kibale national park,
- Bwindi impenetrable national park,
- Kyambura gorge in queen Elizabeth national park,
- Kaniyo pabidi and budongo forest in Murchison falls national park,
- Kalinzu forest reserve in kasese, and
- Mgahinga national park
- Others include ngamba chimpanzee Sanctuary Island, mabira forest, maramagambo forest, Entebbe zoo among others.
Caution!!!
It is best if you book for your primate safari in Uganda with the experienced tour operator. Remember to book your gorilla trekking permit in advance to avoid inconveniences; you can best do this with the help of a trusted tour operator, the same applies to golden monkey trekking and chimpanzee trekking. The dry season, December, January, to February and June to July, is the best season for Uganda primate safaris. Inquire for enough information in detail in order to avoid inconveniences during the primate safaris in Uganda.
