Primates in Uganda

Primates in Uganda

There are 20 primate species in Uganda consisting of 13 diurnal and 7 nocturnal species (including the latest discovery, the dwarf galago), making Uganda a destination with the highest concentration of primates on the continent. The list includes the mountain gorilla and chimpanzee, taking the most attention from primate adventure tourists.

Other prominent primates include a golden monkey, de brazza’s monkey, black and white colobus monkey, red colobus monkey, potto, bushbaby, grey-checked mangabey, l’hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, vervet monkey, patas monkey, baboon, and blue monkey.

Six of the diurnal primates found in Uganda are guenon monkeys, members of the taxonomically controversial genus Cercopithecus.

The velvet and blue guenon monkeys, for instance, are both widespread African species known by at least five different common names, and both have over 20 recognized races, some of which authorities consider to be separate species.

Uganda also offers more profound primate viewing experiences than any other destination in Africa. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are the favorites for wildlife photography safaris and naturalists’ expeditions.

On a habituation experience, travelers are taken on a wilder experience with primates. Guided adventures are conducted with primatologists and rangers to a semi-habituated gorilla or chimpanzee family and allow you to spend 4 – 12 hours with the primates.

Uganda’s most famous primate destinations are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking and Kibale Forest for the chimpanzee experience. Other places to see primates in Uganda include Budongo Forest (Murchison Falls NP), Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth NP), and Semuliki National Park.

List of Primates in Uganda

Apes

The great apes of the family Pongidae are so closely related to humans that a less partial observer might well place them in the same family like us. Scientists think that the chimpanzee is more closely related to humans than any other ape.

There are four ape species in the world (chimpanzee, bonobo, orangutan, gorilla ). Two of them live in Uganda (gorilla and chimpanzee).

Monkeys

All the monkeys found in Uganda are members of the family Cercopithecidae (Old World Monkeys).

Nocturnal primates

Seldom observed on account of their nocturnal habits, the prosimians are a relict group of primitive primates more closely related to the lemurs of Madagascar than to the diurnal monkeys and apes of the African mainland.

Bushbabies

Also called galagoes, these small, nocturnal primates are widespread in wooded habitats in sub-Saharan Africa. The bushbaby’s piercing cry is one of the distinctive sounds of the African night. Read more

Potto (Perodicticus potto)

This medium-sized sloth-like creature inhabits forest interiors, where it spends the night’s foraging upside down from tree branches. It can sometimes be located at night by shining a spotlight into the canopy. Read more

Best Destinations to See Primates in Uganda

Uganda offers the best primate viewing options worldwide. Uganda boasts of the highest concentration of primate species on the continent, and numerous troops have been habituated for primate tourism within their natural habitat.

The best place to see chimpanzees and several other small primates are in Kibale National Park. Kibale has 13 primate species, and the crowds’ attraction is the chimpanzee. From Kanyancu, chimpanzee tracking excursion head out every morning and afternoon for a permit of USD 150. YOu can see other primates on a nature walk around Bigodi swamps.

The other notable place to see primates in Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you see the mountain gorillas in close proximity. Bwindi offers four trailheads where you can base to see a mountain gorilla family for the price of a permit at USD 700 per person and spend at least one hour with the giant primates.

Uganda also offers more profound experiences with gorillas and chimpanzees, becoming a favorite for wildlife photographers and naturalists. On a habituation experience, you trek with primatologists and rangers to a semi-habituated gorilla or chimpanzee family and spend four – 12 hours with the primates. Chimp habituation costs USD 200, and gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1,500.

Other places to see primates in Uganda include Budongo Forest (Murchison Falls NP), Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth NP), and Semuliki National Park.

Use a local operator to help you secure your primate permit in Uganda. One we can highly recommend is Nkuringo Safaris. They have been taking travelers to see primates in Uganda since 2007 and they operate two lodges with multi-awards.