Primate watching is one of the incredible experiences that should not miss on one’s travel plan during the preparation of an African safari. The experience is mostly known in three countries – Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and these are common for protecting endangered habituated mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Of these countries, Uganda is known as a home to the largest population of primate species thus ranked as the best destination for primate watching. With a total surface area of 241,038 square kilometers, the country features rich biodiversity and rain forests that protect amazing attractions including primates.
Though Uganda is mostly visited for mountain gorilla and chimpanzee tracking experiences, there are also other amazing primate species within its protected areas or national parks and in this article, we have listed some of these species that you should not miss during your Uganda primate safari;
1. Golden monkey
The golden monkey is an Old-World Monkey species that exclusively occupies the bamboo-forested slopes of the Virungas and nowhere else in the world. It’s a small monkey with a bright, vibrant, golden orange coat and cute little face. To watch this endangered primate species, head to the extreme southwestern corner of Mgahinga National Park and join the daily golden monkey trekking adventures into the bamboo jungle.
2. The Blue monkey
The blue monkey is closely related to the golden monkey. Despite its close relation, the blue monkey is more widespread in every other forest in the country and in all national parks except Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo National Parks.
3. Potto
The potto is the closest to bears Uganda will ever come because it’s also called the bush bear, tree bear, or softly-softly. This sloth-like primate species is a nocturnal tree dweller found in Kibale Forest, and you can meet its googly eyes on a night-guided nature walk.
6. Bush baby
Named after its baby like sound, the bush baby is also one of the primate species that you should see during your Uganda adventure. Its big saucer eyes and collapsible ears that rotate like radars make it look weirdly cute. Its other name, galago, reminds me of that ‘Shameless’ tv show about a family with a drunkard father. Kibale Forest has very cool inhabitants; even the galago finds refuge in that primate capital.
7. Grey-cheecked mangabey
The Grey-cheeked Mangabey is a medium-sized primate belonging to the Old-World monkey family, Cercopithecidae. It is native to the tropical forests of central and western Africa. Grey-cheeked mangabeys have dark fur, with a distinct greyish coloration around their cheeks, giving them their name. They also have a long tail, often as long as their body, which aids in balance as they move through trees.
Adult individuals typically range from 50–65 cm (20–26 inches) in body length, excluding the tail. Males are generally larger than females.
8. Baboons Species
These Olive baboons live in large groups of about 150 individual varying of few male individuals, many females and young ones. They are large enough to be viewed by visitors that visits Uganda National Parks in inhabits these primates. In Uganda, these species can be viewed in three main national parks namely; Mgahinga National Park, Mount Elgon national park and Rwenzori National Park and entire world can be found in over 25 countries. Olive baboons are omnivorous species which feed on invertebrates, plants, birds and small mammals, Uganda Primate Watching Tours.
- Black and White Colobus Monkeys
These are genus colobus family and mainly live in Africa and are inhabitant of Riverine forests, wooded grasslands and forest. Their groups are comprised of nine individuals in number including a single male, female and their young ones They are black in colour with a white face and tail which can be viewed in Entebbe botanical gardens and in many national parks of the country. During visit you can enjoy photography.