List Of Primates To See On A Uganda Safari : In Uganda, there are 20 different species of primates, including seven nocturnal and 13 day-walking (diurnal) species. Uganda has the highest number of primates on the continent because they thrive in the nation’s tropical forest. The mountain gorilla, chimpanzees, and the most recent discovery, the dwarf Galago, are all on the list.
The majority of the primates on the list are Old World Monkey species, including the blue monkey, vervet, patas, baboon, grey-checked mangabey, black and white colobus, red colobus, potto, Bushbaby, and golden monkey.
More than any other African country, Uganda offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the continent’s primates. For wildlife photography safaris and naturalist expeditions, tourists prefer to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Travelers are taken on a wilder experience with primates in their natural forests during a trekking expedition. Every day, guided trekking excursions are conducted in the wild jungles with the assistance of local rangers, trackers, guides, and occasionally primatologists. They follow a group of habituated primates and spend a few constrained hours observing their behaviors, social structures, and recognizable physical features.
The best places to see Uganda’s famous primate species are Kibale National Park, where you can see chimpanzees, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you can see gorillas. On a guided day or night forest walking excursion, the two national parks are also fantastic places to see other small monkeys.
Budongo Forest (Murchison Falls National Park), Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park), and Semuliki National Park are other excellent locations in Uganda to see primates. For savvy explorers with time on their Uganda travel safari itinerary, other little-known forest reserves offer decent monkey encounters.
WHAT PRIMATES WILL I SEE DURING MY UGANDA SAFARI TOUR?
Here are the 15 Incredible Primates Found in Uganda
- Mountain Gorilla
The mountain gorilla is a member of the great ape family, which also includes humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas. Only two distinct populations of mountain gorillas exist today, and they are only found in the mountainous regions of Uganda, Rwanda, and the neighboring DRC. The most intriguing fact is that, like a person’s thumbprint, a gorilla’s nose print can be used to identify one individual from another. Like most human families, they are patriarchal and are led by a male silverback. Visit southwest Uganda and join the thousands of tourists who are trekking these great apes as part of the growing sustainable travel trend.
- Chimpanzee
The chimpanzee is the closest relative of humans, just like the mountain gorilla. Our interest in studying and observing this primate has recently grown. The chimpanzee is one of the most researched primate species and has made significant contributions to human psychology and medicine. Observe these fascinating great apes in their natural habitat in the Kibale, Budongo, Kalinzu, Kyambura Gorge, and Semuliki Forests by taking part in the daily chimpanzee trekking and habituation adventures.
- Golden monkey
The Virungas’ bamboo-forested slopes are the only place in the world where the golden monkey, an Old World monkey species, can be found. It’s a small monkey with an adorable little face and a brilliant, vivid coat of golden orange. Join the daily golden monkey trekking expeditions into the bamboo jungle in the far southwest corner of Mgahinga National Park to see this critically endangered species of primates.
- Blue monkey
The golden monkey and the blue monkey are related. Despite being closely related, the blue monkey is more common in all other national parks besides Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo, as well as every other forest in the nation.
- De Brazza’s monkey
The De Brazza’s Monkey is a remarkable species of primate with a distinctive blue scrotum, reddish-brown brow, and white mustache. They congregate in Mount Elgon National Park in the Far East and Semuliki National Park near Fort Portal City in the west.
- Black-and-white colobus monkey
I doubt you would notice this gorgeous primate’s absence of thumbs given its obtrusive beauty. The colobus monkey’s striking contrast of black and white cannot be missed. It has a black coat that contrasts beautifully with its long white mantle, whiskers, bushy tail, and beard that surrounds its face. It will catch your attention if you walk through any sizable forest patch or even a well-established riparian woodland.
- The red colobus
The red colobus is a fascinating species to observe because of its contrasting brick-red, grey, and white coats, big, cute eyes, and tufted crown. It is very prevalent near Kibale Forest and closely related to the black-and-white colobus. Semuliki National Park is home to some of them.
- Potto
The potto, also known as a bush bear, tree bear, or softly-softly, is the closest thing to a bear that Uganda will ever get. On a night-guided nature walk, you can encounter this sloth-like primate species, which lives at night in the trees of Kibale Forest. Its googly eyes are a sight to behold.
- Bush baby
The bush baby gets its name from the fact that its call actually resembles that of a baby. It looks oddly adorable thanks to its retractable radar-style ears and large saucer-shaped eyes. Its alternate name, Galago, makes me think of the television series “Shameless,” which is about a family with a drunk father. Even the Galago seeks refuge in the primate capital of Kibale Forest, which has very cool residents.
- Grey-cheecked mangabey
The name “Mangabey” makes me think of an African royal or perhaps a delicious fruit. Look at the teeth of this small, hairy primate with an electrifying smile. One of the most fascinating primates to observe in Uganda is the gray-cheeked mangabey, which has a shaggy appearance and a mane that is slightly golden around the neck. And your guess was accurate! This primate can also be found in Kibale Forest.
- Red-tailed monkey
This is yet another amazing species of cite-faced primate from Uganda. White cheeks, whiskers, and a distinctive white heart-shaped patch on their nose give red-tailed monkeys a striking appearance. You must watch this monkey consume. It can carry a huge amount of food in its elastic cheeks and eat it all later in a safe location away from predators. These tiny primates can be found all over Uganda, in protected tropical forests like Kibale, Bwindi, Queen, Semuliki, and others.
- Vervet monkey
Let’s first make clear a few things: the vervet’s blue testicles are not the result of sex boredom—they are prized family heirlooms! Alright!! One of the savanna’s busiest animals, the vervet, is constantly engaged in some activity. You can tell they are planning their next mischief when they are sitting still. Did you know that mothers of vervet monkeys can identify their young by the sound of their screams? For that many human mothers, you could not make that statement. Although I once babysat a young child whose distinct scream could be heard from a great distance away, I believe you would enjoy viewing them in forests outside of national parks or even during a leisurely stroll through the Entebbe botanical gardens.
- Patas monkey.
The world’s fastest primate is the patas. It never actually uses its entire foot to run; instead, it only uses its fingertips. Unlike other primate species, this reddish-rust-colored sprinter spends most of its time on the ground. On the Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Park savanna plains, keep an eye out for its striking face.
- Baboon
This intelligent, adaptable, and sociable monkey is the most common species of primate in Uganda. Baboons can develop into self-assured, opportunistic vermin where humans are not a threat. The canine teeth of an adult male baboon are longer than those of a leopard. He will use the dogs as deadly weapons for attack and defense, as well as yawning threats to rivals.
