Needless to say, Uganda is the best and most ideal destination for primate safaris. Kibale Forest National Park alone constitutes of 13 primate species, more than any other Park on the African continent. Uganda is the perfect destination for both chimpanzee and mountain gorilla excursions, residing the largest population of them.
Especially mountain gorillas which are really few in the world (less than 1,200 mountain gorillas), Uganda has these endangered species in plenty with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone inhabiting almost 500 mountain gorillas – which is about half of the total population well as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also resides over 100 mountain gorillas in southwestern Uganda.
Since it’s quite clear that chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are known to be susceptible to infection with human respiratory pathogens, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has made a very difficult decision to close all the national parks in Uganda with large numbers of primates due to corona virus outbreak in Uganda in order to safeguard these precious animals, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in particular.
Uganda has so far, as of 25th March 2020, got 9 cases of corona virus (COVID-19) victims. This has thus led to the temporary closure of the primate parks in Uganda as UWA is worried that the pandemic COVID-19 may even spread in the chimpanzees and gorillas which are already few in numbers, all over the world. Below is the public statement that has been released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Executive Director called Sam Mwandha:
‘’Due to the outbreak of the novel Corona virus disease (COVID-19) and the eventual confirmation of a number of cases in Uganda, the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority have assessed the current situation and have come up with measures that will serve to protect Uganda’s wildlife heritage, our staff and visitors who come to our protected areas and tourism business in our protected areas.
1. Primate tourism and research in all the protected areas has been suspended until April 30, 2020.
2. Filming of primates has been suspended until April 30, 2020.
3. Trackers will be provided with necessary PPE to avoid passing on any possible infection to the primates.
4. Commercial motorcycles (boda bodas) and bicycles are prohibited in protected areas.
5. An internal COVID19 task force has been formed to work closely with the National Task Force and update and guide management on the day-to-day developments in the containment of the spread of COVID19 and its implications to wildlife conservations and tourism in the protected areas.
6. We have relaxed the rescheduling of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking. Tour operators are allowed to reschedule tracking permits for a maximum of two times up to March 31, 2022. This offer is valid even for those who booked with 30% down payment. This measure is intended to give tour operators and our visitors more flexibility to avoid cancellation of trips already booked.
7. All our staff have been directed to be vigilant, wash their hands thoroughly with soap or alcohol based solutions, keep social distance to avoid contracting the virus.
These measures have implications on our tourism activities and earnings but are a necessary undertaking in order to protect and conserve our wildlife resources.’’, UWA Executive Director concluded.
This therefore means that national parks like Bwindi Impenetrable, Kibale Forest, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks have been closed temporarily for the sake of safeguarding mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and other precious primate species. Therefore gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and golden monkey trekking are now prohibited in Uganda till when the situation allows.