Best Places for Primatologists in Uganda
Uganda attracts thousands of primatologists from different parts of the world. The country is home to several primate species living in different parks.
To begin with, primates are mammals with large brains, grasping hands, and forward-facing eyes. Some of the primates in Uganda share a big percentage of their DNA with human beings. Some of the primates that primatologists visit during safaris in Uganda include; mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and colobus monkeys. Are you a passionate primatologist wondering where to visit in Uganda? Look no further than any of the places below;
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga National Park is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the smallest park in the Virunga Region. More so, Mgahinga National Park is home to several primates that primatologists can encounter on their safaris. Some of these primates common in Mgahinga Park include; mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, and many others. The most sought-after primates in this park are mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale National Park is another great place where primatologists can see primates in Uganda. This park is located in western Uganda and it is full of wildlife species. Kibale Forest National Park is also known as the “Primate Capital of the World”. It is one of the few places in Africa where chimpanzee trekking is done. Other primate species present in this park include; L’hoests monkeys, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and many others.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the largest protected area of the mountain gorillas in the world. This park is a great destination that primatologists on their safaris looking for primates can visit. Other primates encountered in this park include chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and many others. To encounter these primates, primatologists visit at least one of the four sectors of the park. These sectors include the Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija.
Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
Kyambura Gorge is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park on the southeastern side of the Kazinga Channel. The gorge is named after the Kyambura River that goes through. This is one the best spots where primatologists can explore and create everlasting memories is a place where primatologists can encounter several primates like chimpanzees which are the dominant ones. Other primates in the gorge include baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, and many others.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest is yet another best destination that primatologists visit to see the primates in Uganda. This forest reserve is dominated by several primates like monkeys and baboons. There are over 300 chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The chimpanzees here have been habituated (prepared for interaction with humans) and can thus be visited any time of the year. Other primate species in Kalinzu Forest Reserve include; red-tailed monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, and many others. This forest reserve is near Queen Elizabeth National Park. This means that a primate safari can be combined with other activities done in this park.
Budongo Forest Reserve
Budongo Forest Reserve is situated in the Murchison Falls National Park also another home of primates. The reserve extends to Kaniyo Pabidi Forest making it a sanctuary for primates. This is another best place for primatologists to see the primates on a Uganda safari. Some of the primates encountered in Kalinzu Forest include; chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, and many others.
Safari activities for primatologists in Uganda
As a primatologist planning to take a Uganda primate tour or safari in Uganda, you should expect to take part in one or two of the following activities;
Gorilla trekking expeditions
This is the most common activity done by primatologists in Uganda. The activity is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This activity starts early morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. During the briefing, primatologists (trekkers) are told the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. After the briefing, they proceed with the activity which takes about 2 to 7 hours.
Upon meeting the gorillas, they have 1 hour to spend with the gorillas in their natural habitat. Tracked gorillas are first habituated so they can get used to human beings. The habituation process takes about 2 years. Any primatologists interested in gorilla trekking must book a gorilla trekking permit. A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that allows travelers to visit the gorillas in the jungle. One gorilla permit costs 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for the Rest of Africa, and 300,000 UGX for East African residents.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is another activity that primatologists can do on a Uganda tour. Tracking chimpanzees takes you through designated trails of the parks to see how these magical primates, play, dine, and mate. Chimpanzee trekking is done in different sessions (morning and afternoon). Like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking starts with a briefing. The orientation is done at the park headquarters by ranger guides. To engage in this activity, you should acquire a chimpanzee trekking permit. Each destination for the chimpanzee trekking has its price of the permit. For example, a chimpanzee permit in Kibale National Park costs USD 2500 Per Person. On the other hand, a chimpanzee tracking permit in Kyambura Gorge costs USD 100 per person.
