Primate Tracking Tours in Uganda

Uganda is popular as the primate capital of the world and primate tracking tours in Uganda are becoming so popular. The main great apes in Uganda include mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Uganda hosts more than 50% of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas found in the two parks which are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Kibale Forest National Park in particular is referred to as the world’s primate capital since its home to 13 of the 20 primate species found in Uganda.

Chimpanzees in Uganda can also be seen in Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo forest close to Murchison Falls National Park, and Kalinzu forest. Chimpanzees are one of the four great apes and man’s closest relatives, sharing about 95 – 98 percent DNA with humans.

Uganda hosts one of the highest populations of chimpanzees in the wild. Over 5000 chimpanzees are living in Uganda and can be seen at wildlife sanctuaries like Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or trekked on Uganda chimpanzee trekking safari.

Black-and-white colobus monkey

Mountain gorillas in Uganda

Mountain gorillas in Uganda are more than 549 from the last census in 2018. To trek gorillas in Uganda, one requires to be of age 15 and above and as well have purchased Uganda gorilla trekking safari permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through an Uganda tour operator.

Gorilla trekking has been referred to as a lifetime activity by many travelers and therefore a must-do on many travelers’ bucket lists.

Other primates in Uganda include the black-and-white-colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, I’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkey, olive baboons.

The bushbaby and potto are some of the nocturnal primates that can be seen on a night game drive during wildlife safaris in Uganda.

The golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga Mountains and Uganda is lucky to have these species only in Mgahinga National Park. The latest discovered primate in Uganda’s Kibale forest is the Dwarf Galago.

The black-and-white colobus monkeys are one of the popularly spotted primates around the country. They derive their name from the color of their bodies that are black and white fur and the Greek word colobus means mutilated.

This is because unlike all other primates these monkeys do not have thumbs. It’s beautiful seeing them since they move in troops of 5-10 individuals and swing through tree branches with their striking black and white color.

What is the best time for primate tracking tours in Uganda?

The best time of the year for any Uganda safaris is during the dry season months of June –August, and December –February which makes it easy to go through the trails. When trails are drier, trekking is easy since trails are passable and the park is accessible.

It is best advisable to track primates during the dry season. However, the dry season is actually the peak or high season therefore early booking is recommendable since permits can easily get fully booked as well as accommodation.

On the contrary, the rainy season is known to be the best time for chimpanzee trekking since they do not move for longer distances.

Primate tracking tours in Uganda are surely memorable and can be undertaken for any travelers above the age of 15. These can be tailor-made for a sighting of most of the primates and also with other safari activities like bird watching or wildlife tours.

In the East African region, one can also have a primate tracking tour during a Rwanda tour, Kenya wildlife safari, or Tanzania wildlife safari. Acacia Safaris does provide any kind of these packages to the countries in the region.