What To Expect on a Primate Tracking Safari in Uganda & Rwanda
Uganda and Rwanda are two East African countries with mouthwatering primate tracking safaris and experiences in Africa. Their primate diversity and variety is as impressive as their natural habitats. These two East African nations host a remarkable count of primates and as such, they offer outstanding African primate tracking safaris and encounters. Tracking primates in Uganda and Rwanda is worthwhile. A part from the popular Mountain Gorilla trekking adventures they’re known for, Chimpanzee tracking is another bucket list adventure you can embark on in the evergreen immaculate forests of Uganda- the “Pearl of Africa” and Rwanda- the “Land of a thousand Hills”.
At ATW Holidays Africa, we curate Primate tracking tours and safaris in Africa, and your package is 100% tailored to make your African holiday a moment of greatness. So if you’re a seasonal or nomad seeking to meet the Great Apes or other small primates of Africa, browse through our collection of travel ideas to start planning your primate tracking package. Our destination and travel expert will be ready to help you plan a primate adventure of a life time.
So What is Primate tracking?
Primate tracking in Africa is a form of special interest tour. This involves walking or trekking through an African forest to meet or encounter mammals in the primate category. Gorillas and Chimpanzees are the most common and sought-after primates and therefore, Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking safaris are also a form of primate tracking safari. However, due to their importance to the tourism industry and the great appeal to travelers, Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee tracking safaris are a special tourism product on their own.
These safaris are of appeal to special interest holiday makers, and to primatologists/ researchers. On any of your primate tracking adventure, you can meet primates like Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus, Potto, Vervet Monkeys, Grey-Cheeked Mangabey, Red Colobuses, Olive Baboon and many others. Uganda is home to over 20-primate species while Rwanda on the other and has over 15 species.
There’re common primates that can be seen almost everywhere in forested areas or forest fringed zones, such as the Vervets, Baboons and at times Black and White Colobuses. These can also at times be seen along major highways through Uganda and Rwanda’s protected areas. However, successful primate tracking safaris and adventures in Africa take place in designated protected areas like national parks and forest reserves.
What is the Experience like?
Primate tracking safaris are such an interesting adventure in East Africa. So apart from the epic Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee tracking adventures, there’re other primates one can encounter on a packaged primate tracking tour and safari in Uganda or Rwanda.
As you plan for your African primate tracking safari in Uganda or Rwanda, you must be prepared for a thrilling adventure which is somewhat demanding. Most of the primates are found in African tropical forest habitats. These’re characterized by dense and tangled vegetation at some zones, un-parallel terrain and trails crisscrossing through the forest.
In some protected areas like Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanos national parks, where you’ll track the primates, the terrain is rugged because of the mountainous nature. In other protected areas, the forest floor is wet and muddy, nevertheless you find wetland fringed zones and rivers, therefore to facilitate visitor movements, boardwalk path-ways are established.
Tracking primates in Africa’s forests involves walking a few hours or a reasonable number of hours depending on various factors like, the type of primates you’re tracking. For example, while on a Chimpanzee and other primate tracking safari and tour, you may move longer distances because these primates are constantly on a move while others tend to shy away from human presence because they’re less habituated. Other factors that may determine the duration of your primate adventure include; pace of trackers/ visitors, location of the primate group from the trail-head.
Where to track Primates in Uganda? Our top picks
Among the East African countries, it may be Uganda’s primate variety and density that may come close to that of D.R. Congo and other Central African countries. U.Ks’ Wanderlust Travel Magazine in June 2019, highlighted 3 of Uganda’s primate tracking sites in an article “Glimpse at the Chimps: The top 7 places for Chimpanzee tracking in the world”.
The western arm of Uganda, is at the point where the Central African forests transition with the East African savannas. Its therefore an ecologically bio-diverse region taking in a number of sites including the rift valley floor. From the Northwestern around Murchison Falls CA all the way Southwestern, there’re a number of places where one can have a rewarding primate tracking safari in Uganda.
So where to go;
Kibale Forest & National Park
Kibale forest is a world class primate tracking destination in Africa, popular to primate enthusiasts and researchers. It’s referred to as the “World’s Primate Capital” and its a popular destination for Chimpanzee tracking safaris. Kibale covers over 795sq.km and its forest biodiversity takes in a count of over 13primates like Chimps, L’Hoest’s monkey, Black and White Colobuses, Vervet monkeys, Nocturnal Bush-babies, Red-Colobuses and Uganda Mangabey among others.
Its primate density accounts to over 1500 Chimpanzees. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to participate in primate tracking sessions conducted mainly from Kanyancu visitor reception center. These tracking sessions within Kibale forest can take place at any time of the day but the common ones start early morning by 8am, mid-morning at 11am and afternoon at 2pm. There’s also possibilities of embarking on a night nature walk to see the nocturnal species like Galagos and Pottos.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura gorge is located into the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, which is an extension of the Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Conservation Area. The gorge is basically popular for its wild Chimpanzee troops so for this reason its referred to as the “Valley of the Apes”. It’s home to other primates like Vervets, Black-and-White Colobuses, Red-tailed Monkeys which one can meet on a primate tracking tour or nature walk. Primate sessions here can start at any hour of the day and they take place deep-down into the depths of the valley. Therefore anyone seeking to meet the primates here must prepare for a muddy terrain across the river valley. Because of the nature of the gorge, the experience here is just beyond tracking the primates.
Budongo Wildlife Reserve- Kaniyo Pabidi
Budongo forest reserve is characterized by Mahogany and Iron-wood forest and its situated at the Albertine Rift valley end within Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The reserve is also an important primate tracking destination in Uganda, with treks starting from the visitor centre at Kaniyo Pabidi forest. The reserve has close to 10 primate species which include Chimpanzees, Olive Baboons and many others. Walks here can be done at any time of the day but the most popular ones are the guided Chimpanzee tracking experiences. These can last just a few hours, half or full-day and besides Chimps trekking, during low season visitors also have chance for a Chimpanzee Habitation experience.
Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu forest reserve hosts over 6 primate species including the Chimpanzees. Its located in western Uganda in Bushenyi district a few kilometers from or to Queen Elizabeth National park. Its managed by the Uganda National Forestry Authority and visitors here can participate in primate tracking sessions at any time of the day. The reserve has over 40-habituated Chimps and Chimpanzee tracking is the main primate tracking experience here. Besides the Chimps other primates like Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys, Black-and White Colobuses, L’Hoest’s Monkey and Red-tailed Monkeys can be seen on a primate walk.
Sample Primate tracking safaris in Uganda & Rwanda
Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Experience
Witness the Primates of Kibale forest and the Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest
Explore Uganda's Wildlife with Chimpanzee Habituation
Go on an epic Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and Gorilla tracking safari
Rwanda Primate Tracking Safari & Apes
Meet Rwanda's endangered primates on this 6 day primate tracking safari, discover the Great Apes of Volcanos and Nyungwe forest
Wildlife Safari in Rwanda with Primates
Trail through the misty shrouded highlands of Rwanda on this wildlife tour and encounter its primates including two of the world's Great Apes
Primate tracking in Rwanda, Where to Go?
The small but stunningly beautiful country of Rwanda is a destination with such a great appeal for primate tracking safaris and tours within East Africa. The country is shroud in a roller-coaster of evergreen forests towering in its mountainous background. Rwanda’s prominence as a primate tracking safari destination in Africa is attributed to the Volcanos national park and Nyungwe forest.
Volcanos National Park
Volcanos National Park is Rwanda’s premier safari destination and its popular for its signature Gorilla trekking adventures. The 160sq.km park is a world class tourist destination accredited by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The park is located in northwest Rwanda and its part of the significant Virunga massif. The Volcanos National Park is basically known for Gorilla and Golden Monkey primate tracking safari and adventures in Africa. But apart from these endangered species, there’re other primates that can be seen while on a primate tour in the Volcanos. These include Black-and-White Colobuses, White Colobuses, and Baboons among others.
Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe is one of Africa’s most bio-diverse forests popularly known for its Chimpanzee primate tracking adventures in Africa. It covers an area of about 1’020sq.km making it one of Africa’s largest mountain forest. The primate diversity of Nyungwe forest is about 12species other than the Chimpanzees. Due to its biological and ecological significance, it was declared a UNESCO heritage site and visitor to the park have chance to see primates like L’Hoest’s Monkey, Rwenzori Colobus, Vervet Monkeys, Blue Monkey, Mona and Dent’s Mona Monkeys among others.
The most popular primate tracking safaris in Nyungwe are Chimpanzee treks starting early in the morning but visitors have the opportunity to track other primates within the forest on a guided nature walk.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
This is the latest addition to Rwanda’s national parks bring the count to 4-parks. It is a small park at a size of 34sq.km and in its boundaries sits a total of over 20 Chimpanzees and other primates like Blue Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkey and Baboons among others.
So the most popular primate tracking adventures and safaris in Africa are the Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking experiences. However, those seeking an intimate custom design primate program can explore the wealth of primates which reside in Uganda and Rwanda’s protected sites.
At ATW Holidays Africa, we shall offer you native assistance in designing your African primate tour in Uganda and Rwanda. If you’re looking at a hardcore primate experience, you can also consider visiting Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.