Uganda has a total of ten national parks. Three of them have been dubbed primate national parks, two of them have been dubbed mountainous national parks and five of them have been dubbed savannah national parks.
With the above kind of categorization, it is very easy to assume that you can only find primates in the primate national parks. This is not true since there are several other locations around the country where you are likely to encounter primates. Here are the places around Uganda where you will find primates.
Bwindi impenetrable National park
Bwindi is one of the most popular national parks in Uganda hosting more than half of the remaining mountain gorilla population in the whole world. Though the park is mainly known for its remarkable gorilla treks, the Bwindi forest is also home to several other primates.
Other primates that call Bwindi impenetrable national park their home include; Chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, potto, baboons, spectacled galago, Demidoff’s galago, De Brazza monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys
There are special tours to observe other primates in Bwindi other than the mountain gorillas. However, on a lucky day, it is possible to spot these other primates on a guided nature walk.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga has five primate species in total; mountain gorillas, Vervet monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys, Blue Monkeys, and golden monkeys. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the only national park in Uganda that offers golden monkey tracking.
The park offers two primate activities; gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. Other primates do not have any special activity for tracking. Unlike paid activities like gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking, you can only encounter them during a nature walk, but it is never a guarantee.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale forest is commonly referred to as the primate capital. It has the highest concentration of primates in the same area. The park boasts of 13 primate species however it is only chimpanzees that have a designated activity. Other primates can only be encountered during nature walks, but this is never guaranteed.
Here are the other primates found in the Kibale forest; olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, pottos, bushbabies, Uganda mangabeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is popular for the thunderous Murchison Falls. But besides the amazing game drives and sunsets on the Nile, the park is also home to five primates; Chimpanzees in the Budongo forest, Patas monkeys, Blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons.
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the few places in Uganda that have been set aside for chimpanzee tracking. Each chimpanzee tracking permit in Budongo forest goes for $100.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park has four primate species. These are chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, olive baboons in the Maramagambo forest, vervets, and black & white colobus monkeys. Similar to Kibale and Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, the national park offers chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Other primates are often spotted during your transfer to the Ishasha sector.
A chimpanzee tracking permit in Queen Elizabeth National Park goes for $100 per foreign non-resident.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park only has two primate species; olive baboons and vervets. There is no special primate activity offered in Lake Mburo National Park. All these primates can only be spotted during your game drive through the park.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The park has two major primates; black and white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys. Chimpanzees can be overheard during treks in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. There is no special primate activity in Rwenzori National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park
The park only has two known primates, patas monkeys and bush babies. However, due to the aridness of the area, it is very rare to spot these primates. There is no special activity to help you spot the primates in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is one place that has no habituated chimpanzees in Uganda. Though chimpanzees are present, it is not possible to go chimpanzee tracking in the same park. Other primates found in Semuliki National Park include Olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, vervets, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and blue monkeys. There is no special primate tracking activity in Semuliki National Park.
Mountain Elgon National Park
The park is known for two primates; Black and white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys. There is no special primate activity in Mountain Elgon National Park.
In conclusion, there are five national parks in Uganda with dedicated primate tracking activities; that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park. Kalinzu forest is also a recommended chimpanzee tracking destination not very far from Queen Elizabeth national park.