Uganda is one of the best countries [if not the best] for primate safaris. The country comprises of various primate species; with Kibale Forest National Park being the best primate Park not only in Uganda but also Africa entirely. Kibale consists of 13 primate species a number which is bettered by no other African national park.
The major primate species in Kibale is however the common chimpanzees – which is also the major attraction in the Park. Kibale Forest National Park is located in western Uganda and it is the best destination to host the chimpanzee tracking expeditions.
The Park is a home to over 1,450 chimpanzees which several tourists all over the globe track annually. Chimpanzee tracking sessions begin with briefings at the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre and it is generally a magnificent and unforgettable activity you should indulge in.
While in the tropical forests of Kibale Park tracking the chimpanzees, you have a huge opportunity of spotting some of the other primate species which call this Park a home, among them which include; olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, red Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, and Uganda mangabeys.
The four of the thirteen primate species taking residence in Kibale are nocturnal and these are; Potos, Eastern/elegant galagos, Thomas’ galagos, and Demidoff’s galagos.
Besides Kibale, there are very many other national parks residing primates such as the Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – homes to endangered mountain gorillas.
These two Parks are the only mountain gorilla refuges in Uganda and also among the only four in the world, others being Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks in Rwanda and DR Congo, respectively. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga is among the top safari activities that should not miss on Uganda tour packages.
Gorilla tracking tours are very captivating and memorable. They involve walking in the wilderness, with the company of experienced and professional Park guides, in search of these great apes.
Different gorilla families have been habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks which each gorilla trekking group (maximum of 8 individuals) will have to trek one of them.
Currently Bwindi comprises of 20 habituated gorilla families well as Mgahinga has only two habituated gorilla families – a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US$ 600, as of current (starting from July on wards the permit will be costing US$ 700).
For chimpanzee tracking safaris, Kibale Forest National Park is the best destination though the country comprises of other national parks protecting the chimpanzees, such as; Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Semuliki National Parks. The other chimpanzees can be found in the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary – home to orphaned and abandoned chimpanzees.
Besides the chimpanzees, gorillas and other primates, the above Parks also inhabit many other fascinating wildlife species like African Lions, African Savanna and Forest Elephants, Cape Buffaloes, African Leopards, Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Waterbucks, Rothschild’s Giraffes, and various antelope species, among others.
Still about the primate tours in Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is not only a home to the endangered mountain gorillas but also inhabits the amazing golden monkeys – this is the only home for golden monkeys in Uganda.