Primate encounters in Uganda are one of the rarest experiences that visitors have fallen in love with during their safari to Uganda. The number one reason for travellers booking safaris to Uganda is for its extraordinary primate encounters. No trip to the Pearl of Africa is complete without seeing mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys in their natural habitats. After relishing the Great annual migration in Tanzania and Kenya, big game safaris in South Africa, Botswana, or Namibia, a primate trip in Uganda will just be the perfect spice to make your safari unforgettable.
The following are the extraordinary primate encounters in Uganda and where to enjoy them;
Mountain gorilla trekking
It is no secret that mountain gorilla trekking is the most extraordinary primate encounter in Uganda. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of meeting face to face with the mountain gorillas is second to none and involves walking through the jungles to search for the Giant Apes and spending quality observing their behavior and photographing them.
Mountain gorillas of Uganda are only trekked from Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, situated in the south-western side of the country. The main highlight of this activity is watching huge silverbacks showing control over their gorilla families. These two Protected Areas are open all year round but the months of June to September and December to February are perfect for trekking these creatures, owing to the fact that rains are minimal hence walking trails are less muddy and slippery to be maneuvered through. With a gorilla permit (costing $700 per person), the physically able and age-appropriate travelers can get the chance to trek and spend time in the presence of these Giant Apes.
Chimpanzee trekking
There are no amount of words that can properly describe the thrill of meeting face to face with mankind’s closest relatives. Chimpanzees are over 5000 in Uganda’s forests (in the wild and captivity) and the best places to see them include Kibale Forest National Park (so far the best and most popular), Kalinzu forest, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest and Semliki National Park in the wild as well as Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Uganda Wildlife Education Center in captivity. Seeing them is rarely guaranteed but the excitement of finally seeing them can’t be described in words. The price of chimpanzee permit in Uganda depends on the location.
Golden monkey tracking
In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, south-western Uganda, Golden monkey sightings are more or less assured all year round. The frisky golden-brown colored primates live in the lower slopes of Virunga Volcanoes occupied by Bamboo forest. Trekking these primates is one of the most informative primate encounters in Uganda, although the activity is not as exhaustive as the first two primate encounters. Also, the golden monkeys don’t make new nests every day like the mountain gorillas hence there is no need of sending out trackers to trace their location every morning. You will need a golden monkey permit ($100 per person) in addition to being at least 12 years old to be allowed trekking and spending time with these frisky creatures.