Uncover the remarkable diversity of primates in Uganda, where these captivating creatures thrive in their natural habitats. Renowned as a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, Uganda stands out as the ultimate destination for unforgettable primate safaris in Africa.
With half of the world’s mountain gorilla population calling Uganda home, encountering these majestic apes in their natural habitat is an unparalleled experience. Beyond the awe-inspiring gorillas, Uganda boasts the finest chimpanzee viewing opportunities on the continent, with a population exceeding 5000 individuals. Observing these intelligent creatures, who share nearly 99% of their DNA with humans, offers a profound connection to our closest living relatives.
Moreover, Uganda is teeming with over 20 species of monkeys, ranging from the elusive nocturnal Galagos to the stunning Golden monkeys, enriching the primate-watching experience with their diverse behaviors and habitats. Embark on an adventure through Uganda’s jungles to witness these fascinating primates in their element.
Best Places to see primates in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Renowned for harboring nearly half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population, Bwindi offers unforgettable gorilla tracking experiences for tourists.
Kibale Forest National Park: A premier destination for chimpanzee trekking in Africa, Kibale boasts the highest density and diversity of primates on the continent, with 13 distinct species inhabiting its lush forests.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Famous for its rich wildlife diversity, including tree-climbing lions and chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to various monkey species such as Vervet monkeys and baboons.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Serving as another vital habitat for endangered mountain gorillas, Mgahinga is also renowned for its rare golden monkeys, offering visitors a unique primate-watching experience.
Semliki National Park: Nestled within Semliki’s verdant landscapes are several monkey species, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys, providing ample opportunities for primate sightings.
Murchison Falls National Park: While celebrated for its breathtaking waterfall and savannah wildlife, Murchison Falls is also home to olive baboons and ground-dwelling patas monkeys, adding to the park’s diverse primate population.
Budongo Forest: Adjacent to Murchison Falls, Budongo Forest harbors approximately 800 chimpanzees along with various monkey species, offering visitors an immersive primate-watching experience.
Kalinzu Forest: Located near Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest is home to around 300 chimpanzees, providing opportunities for intimate encounters with these fascinating primates.
Uganda presents unparalleled opportunities for primate enthusiasts and wildlife lovers to observe and appreciate these remarkable creatures in their natural habitats.
Key Primate Species in Uganda
1. Gorilla
As the largest member of the primate family, a gorilla can reach heights of up to 1.8 meters and weigh as much as 220 kilograms. Four subspecies of gorillas are recognized.
Among the gorilla subspecies, the mountain gorilla faces the most severe threats.
The current population of mountain gorillas is approximately 1063, a notable increase in recent years. Of these, at least 604 inhabit the Virunga Mountains shared by Uganda, DRC, and Rwanda, while 459 reside in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
2. Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees, characterized by their distinctive black coats, share a remarkably close genetic kinship with humans, making them more akin to us than any other living creature. Living in expansive and loosely connected communities, chimpanzees are organized around a core of related males, with an internal hierarchy led by an alpha male.
Much like humans, chimpanzees exhibit strong personalities, and their expressive faces allow for easy recognition. Observing their intelligence and complex social behaviors is a never-ending source of fascination, with each encounter offering unique insights into their lives.
Chimpanzees inhabit various national parks across Uganda, with Kibale Forest standing out as the premier destination for chimpanzee tracking. Visitors can embark on an enriching experience to observe these intelligent and social primates firsthand. Additionally, chimpanzees can be encountered in Kyambura Gorge within Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Semliki Wildlife Reserve, and the Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls National Park.
Monkeys of Uganda
The monkeys inhabiting Uganda belong to the family Cercopithecidae, also known as Old World Monkeys. They are categorized into five genera: Colobus, Cercopithecus (guenons), Papio (baboons), Erythrocebus (patas), and Cercocebus (mangabeys).
1. Baboons
Characterized by their robust build and predominantly terrestrial lifestyle, baboons are easily distinguished from other monkeys in Uganda by their large size and distinctive dog-like heads. Living in large troops with complex social structures, baboons are organized by matriarchal lineages.
Among the four types of baboons found in sub-Saharan Africa, the Olive baboon is the only species present in Uganda. Widespread and abundant, baboons are commonly encountered on the outskirts of forest reserves and along roadsides throughout the country.
2. Patas Monkey
Preferring the dry savannas of north-central Africa, the patas monkey is a terrestrial primate with distinct features that set it apart from its relatives. While it may bear a resemblance to the Vervet monkey, the patas monkey sports a leaner physique, a light reddish-brown coat, and a defining black stripe above its eyes, distinguishing it from the greyer Vervet with its black face mask.
In Uganda, the patas monkey is primarily found in the extreme north of the country. Visitors can spot these agile creatures in Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Often referred to as the hussar monkey, the patas monkey adds a unique charm to Uganda’s diverse primate population.
3. Vervet Monkey: The Grey Marvel
Easily recognizable by its light-grey fur and distinctive black face, the Vervet monkey is further distinguished by the male’s striking blue genitals. Thriving in diverse habitats, it is the sole monkey species commonly sighted outside of forests, making it one of the most abundant monkey species globally.
In Uganda, Vervet monkeys are ubiquitous, often encountered even beyond the boundaries of national parks. However, they are notably absent from dense forest interiors and Afro-alpine environments. Their adaptability and widespread presence add to the richness of Uganda’s wildlife landscape.
4. Blue Monkey: The Forest Wanderer
The blue monkey stands as one of East Africa’s most prevalent forest-dwelling primates. Sporting a striking dark blue-grey coat, with a contrasting white throat and chest patch, this species is characterized by its thick fur and distinctive backward-projecting hair on the forehead. Blue monkeys typically form troops ranging from 4 to 12 individuals and often interact with other primates in their habitat.
Known by various names such as the Diademed guenon, Samango monkey, Sykes’s monkey, Gentle monkey, and White-throated guenon, these creatures inhabit nearly all of Uganda’s national parks, with the exceptions being Murchison Falls National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Additionally, they can be found in virtually every forested area throughout the country, adding to the biodiversity and charm of Uganda’s natural landscapes.
5. Golden Monkeys: Treasures of the Volcanic Forests
The golden monkey, a local subspecies of the blue monkey, is indigenous to the high-altitude forests nestled within the volcanic Virunga Mountains spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These enchanting creatures captivate with their playful and inquisitive nature, often spotted leaping between bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor. Renowned for their stunning golden fur coats, which lend them their name, golden monkeys are among the most visually striking monkey species.
Living in sizable groups known as troops, these monkeys have a penchant for bamboo shoots, which they avidly consume. One troop of golden monkeys has been habituated in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, offering visitors the opportunity for tracking and research purposes, providing a rare glimpse into the world of these remarkable primates.
6. Red-Tailed Monkey: The Forest Dwellers
The red-tailed monkey, another prevalent inhabitant of forested areas, boasts a brownish hue with distinctive features including white cheek whiskers, a coppery tail, and a striking white, heart-shaped patch adorning its nose, earning it the alternative name of black-cheeked, white-nosed monkey.
Typically observed either alone, in pairs, or in small family units, these monkeys also exhibit social tendencies, often mingling with other primate species and occasionally congregating in larger groups of up to 200 individuals.
Red-tailed monkeys are commonly found in various national parks including Kibale Forest, Bwindi, Semliki, and Queen Elizabeth, as well as in forest reserves such as Budongo and Mpanga. Their widespread presence adds to the biodiversity of Uganda’s lush forests and reserves.
7. De Brazza’s Monkey: The Elegant Forest Dweller
Distinguished by its robust build and short tail, the De Brazza’s monkey is a striking primate adorned with unique facial features. Sporting a hairy face with a reddish-brown patch encircling its eyes, complemented by a distinctive white band across its brow and a prominent white mustache and beard.
Originally native to West Africa, De Brazza’s monkey is less common in East Africa, with sightings typically concentrated in the vicinity of Mount Elgon National Park and Semuliki National Park. These elusive creatures add a touch of elegance to the forests they inhabit, captivating those fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of them amidst the wilderness of East Africa.
8. L’Hoest’s Monkey: The Elusive Forest Dwellers
L’Hoest’s monkey, known for its striking appearance, is often overshadowed by its more well-known relatives and proves to be a challenge to spot due to its preference for dense secondary forests and terrestrial lifestyle.
Sporting a distinctive black face adorned with backward-projecting white whiskers that partially conceal its ears, this monkey stands out as the only species known to habitually carry its tail in an upright position.
In Uganda, sightings of L’Hoest’s monkey are most likely in Kibale Forest, Bwindi, or Maramagambo Forest within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Despite its elusive nature, encountering this handsome primate amidst the verdant forests of Uganda is a rewarding experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
9. Grey-Cheeked Mangabey: The Enigmatic Forest Wanderer
Cloaked in shades of grayish black, the grey-cheeked mangabey possesses subtle features that set it apart. With baboon-like mannerisms and a shaggier appearance compared to other monkeys, this species exhibits light-grey cheeks and a faint mane, adding to its mystique.
Found primarily in lowland and mid-altitude forests, grey-cheeked mangabeys are often encountered in Uganda’s Mabira Forest, where visitors can partake in mangabey tracking experiences. They are also commonly sighted in Kibale Forest and Semliki National Park, contributing to the rich biodiversity of these pristine habitats.
10. Black-and-White Colobus: The Striking Forest Dweller
Distinguished by its striking appearance, the black-and-white colobus boasts a black body adorned with white facial markings, a long white tail, and, in certain variants, a distinctive white side-stripe. Preferring the treetops, this monkey is almost exclusively arboreal and often spotted in small groups, showcasing its remarkable agility with jumps of up to 30 cm, its white tail trailing behind like a banner.
One of Uganda’s most common and widespread forest monkeys, the black-and-white colobus can be found in numerous sizable forest patches and well-developed riparian woodlands, adding vibrancy to these lush habitats. Additionally, the Rwenzori race of the closely related Angola colobus coexists with the black-and-white colobus in the forested regions of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, enriching the diversity of primate life in the area.
11. Red Colobus: The Sociable Forest Giant
The red colobus, a sizable monkey with a reddish-grey hue, possesses few distinguishing features apart from a slightly tufted crown. Highly social in nature, these monkeys typically reside in scattered troops consisting of 50 or more individuals.
Recognized in about 15 distinct races, some of which are considered separate species by certain authorities, the red colobus is largely confined to Kibale Forest National Park and its surroundings in Uganda. Particularly abundant in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary within Kibale Forest, these monkeys can also be found in smaller numbers in Semliki National Park.
Nocturnal Primates of Uganda
Seldom glimpsed due to their nocturnal nature, the prosimians represent a primitive lineage of primates more akin to the lemurs of Madagascar than to their diurnal counterparts on the African mainland.
1.Bushbaby
Known colloquially as galagos, these diminutive nocturnal primates are found throughout wooded habitats across Sub-Saharan Africa. The distinctive cry of the bushbaby echoes through the African night, marking its presence.
To catch a glimpse of a bushbaby, follow the sound of its cry to a nearby tree, then illuminate it with a torch to reveal the creature’s large, round eyes.
Uganda is home to five species of galagos, with the lesser bushbaby being the most prevalent. Measuring a mere 17cm in length excluding its tail, this insectivorous creature favors woodland habitats over dense forests and has been documented in all of Uganda’s savanna reserves.
In Kibale Forest National Park, visitors have the opportunity to encounter the Eastern needle-clawed bushbaby, Thomas’s bushbaby, and dwarf bushbaby on nocturnal walks. Additionally, the dwarf bushbaby has been sighted in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, adding to the diversity of nocturnal primates found in Uganda’s varied landscapes.
2. Potto
The potto, a medium-sized creature resembling a sloth, is primarily found within the depths of forest interiors, where it undertakes its nightly foraging upside down from tree branches.
Spotting a potto at night can be a challenge, but shining a spotlight into the canopy may reveal its presence. These elusive creatures inhabit Kibale, Bwindi, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, as well as other major rainforest reserves across Uganda. However, they are most likely to be encountered during guided night walks in Kibale Forest National Park.
Best Time to see primates in Uganda.
The ideal time for primate trekking adventures in Uganda falls between the country’s two dry seasons: from December to February, and from June to early September. These periods offer prime conditions for trekking to observe gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitats. For further insights into the best times to visit Uganda, delve into our comprehensive guide.
When embarking on a journey to Uganda to witness these magnificent primates, it is imperative to adhere to ethical and sustainable tourism principles to safeguard the conservation of these endangered species and their habitats. Fortunately, many national parks provide guided primate tracking opportunities, designed to optimize your chances of encountering these remarkable creatures while mitigating disruption to their native ecosystems.
By participating in guided experiences, travelers can contribute to the preservation of Uganda’s rich biodiversity while enjoying unforgettable wildlife encounters.
