Best primate National Parks in Uganda

Best primate National Park in Uganda, tracking primates in Uganda is a safari like no other viewing primates of different species and sizes roaming in the natural forests of Uganda. Uganda wildlife Authority and communities have played a big role in protecting and conserving these magnificent species for sustainable tourism and for future generations.

Primates are mammals which have unique features or characteristics from others. Uganda have got national parks and wildlife reserves that has over 20 primate species making Uganda one of the best primate destinations across the world.

Best primate national parks in Uganda includes:

• Kibale National Park
• Bwindi impenetrable national park
• Mgahinga National Park
• Kalinzu Forest
• Kyambura gorge
• Budongo Forest

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park also known as the primate capital of the world holds the largest number of chimpanzees in the whole world. Kibale national park is located in western Uganda covering an area of 776km2 and stands at an altitude between 1,100m (3,600ft) and 1,600m (5,200ft) above sea level. Kibale national park was first established in 1932 as a forest Reserve and declared a national park in 1993 to protect the rich diversity for future generations.

Kibale national park is a tropical forest that harbors different species of primates that includes; L’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys and many more.

Kanyanchu tourist centre

This is located within the park and is the main centre for tourist activities. Besides primate viewing, there are other activities like guided nature walks where visitors choose to book for morning walks sessions or Evening walks and night walks specifically for sightings of Nocturnal animals.

Sebitoli centre

Sebitoli is part of the park that lies along the Kampala – fort portal road, this tropical forest part is ideal for immersive bird viewing, forest nature walks, picnics and camping. Kibale forests is one of the destinations where one can spot the blue turaco birds.

When to book for tracking in best primate national parks in Uganda

Visitors can track primates in Uganda at any time of the year, but the best months to track the primates are during the months of December to January and from June to August where by during this period the trails are dry for a better tracking experience in the forests.

Permit fees for primate tracking in Kibale national park

Chimpanzee tracking permit fees varies from categories, foreign non-Residents permit costs $250, Foreign Resident permit costs $200 and East African citizen permit costs UGX 180,000. Tracking habituated chimpanzees in Kibale, the permit costs $300 for Foreign Non-Residents, $250 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000. For East African Citizens.

Budongo Forest

Budongo forest is located in northwestern Uganda in Masindi along the boundaries of Murchison falls national park. Budongo forest covers a total area of 825 square kilometers holding the largest mahogany tree forest in East Africa. Budongo forest is now known for harboring over 600 chimpanzees making it a haven for chimpanzee tracking.

Tracking chimpanzees in budongo forest costs $130 for foreign non-Residents, $120 for Foreign Residents and $85 for East African citizens. A deposit of 50% of the total cost is required upon booking permits at least 4 months in advance.

Tracking chimpanzees in budongo forest is unique in the way that it can be combined with a safari game drive in Murchison falls national park for sightings of elephants, lions, giraffes, water buck, buffalos, Jackson’s heart beast, impalas and many more animals. Budongo forest is also a best place for bird watching and guided nature walks.

Kyambura Gorge in queen Elizabeth national park

Kyambura gorge is a stunning valley section nestled in queen Elizabeth national park. Kyambura gorge is also known as valley of Apes because of the inhabited chimpanzees that are spotted in this valley.

The gorge was formed through years of erosion caused by the Kyambura River which still flows through it. This water source sustains a variety of flora that has created thick forest cover over time. The gorge is about 100 metres deep. Kyambura gorge is a densely forested valley surrounded by the savannah grass lands.

Apart from chimpanzees, other primates such as baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys are commonly observed. These species interact within the trees and the lower areas of the forest. Larger mammals also frequent the gorge. Elephants, buffalo, and hippos are sometimes spotted passing through nearby areas, though they are less common within the gorge itself.

The gorge is also a hotspot for birdlife, with over 600 bird species recorded in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park. In Kyambura Gorge specifically, you can see a variety of colourful birds like African fish eagles, kingfishers, and blue turacos.

Tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge can also be combined with a game drive in the kasenyi plains viewing wildlife in the heart of queen Elizabeth national park.

Chimpanzee tracking permits in Kyambura gorge.

Tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge, permits goes for $100 for foreign non-Residents, $80 for Foreign Residents and UGX 50,000. For East African Residents. Age limit for tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge since it involves hiking into the underground forested gorge.

There is always availability of 12 chimpanzee tracking permits at Kyambura gorge in queen Elizabeth park every morning and afternoon sessions starting at 8am and 2pm respectively.

Kalinzu forest Reserve

Kalinzu forest Reserve is located in south western Uganda, Bushenyi district at the edge of queen Elizabeth national park. Kalinzu forest reserve covers an area of 137 square kilometres and is a home of over 300 chimpanzees with 40 habituated chimpanzee families.

Kalinzu forest reserve is a thick tropical rain forest where visitors enjoy tracking chimpanzees in the green lush forests. Chimpanzee tracking in kalinzu forest reserve have 2 sessions every day when to start tracking, the morning session that starts at 08:00 am and 2 pm. The tracking will take about 2 – 4 hours searching for chimpanzees and one hour after spotting them.

Kalinzu forest reserve have got other primates like red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and white and black colobus monkeys. Chimpanzee tracking in kalinzu forest reserve costs $130 for Foreign Residents, $65 for Foreign Residents and UGX 50,000. For East Africans.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and this national park covers an area of 33.9 square kilometres. Mgahinga national park was gazetted as a national park in 1991 and it is considered as the smallest national park in Uganda.

Mgahinga national park is a unique park in Uganda that hosts the mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkeys. Other animals to spot on your trip to mgahinga national park are the forest elephants, buffalo, duikers, forest warthogs, bush bucks and many more.

Visiting mgahinga national park will give you an opportunity to track both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Mountain gorilla permit costs $800 for Foreign non residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens while tracking golden monkeys’ costs $60 for Foreign non residents, $50 for foreign residents and UGX 40,000 for East African residents. Visitors who want to track habituated golden monkeys, permit costs $100 for Foreign non residents, $80 Foreign residents and UGX 100,000 for East African citizens.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda neighboring the Democratic Republic of congo.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is a UNESCO world heritage site which was gazetted in 1994 and protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Bwindi is a word derived from the native language Mubwindi that means a place full of darkness and dense vegetation. It is a tropical forest with different kinds of tree plants where the endangered mountain gorillas stay.

Bwindi impenetrable forest park is one of the best destinations for gorilla tracking in the whole world, followed by volcanoes national park in Rwanda.  A gorilla permit in Bwindi costs $800 for Foreign non residents, $700 Foreign residents and UGX 300,000. For East African citizens while permit for tracking habituated gorillas costs $1,500 for Foreign non residents, $1000 for Foreign residents, UGX 750,000 for East African citizens and $1000 for Rest of Africa.

Rules for tracking in best primate national parks in Uganda

• Do not visit primates if you have a cold or other infectious illness either always put on a mask.
• Minimum age for primate tracking is 15 years.
• Human waste should be buried 30cm deep.
• You should maintain 10 meters distance from the primates.
• While on primate viewing, do not smoke, eat or drink.
• Visits are limited to 1 – 2 hours per primate group per day.
• Do not use flash photography while taking photos.
• Do not litter the national park
• Do not make much noise while on a primate tracking in Uganda.
• Do not spit on the vegetation or on the soil.

Why we need to protect primates in Uganda

• To provide a high standard tourist experience
• To provide revenue for park management and conservation activities
• To ensure a sustainable economic activity for local communities and encouraging conservation at a local level.
• To increase public awareness of the outstanding biodiversity and natural beauty of Uganda.
• To encourage development that is in line with environmental and wildlife conservation concerns.