Uganda primate safari tours dominate all Uganda safaris and Discovery Journeys. Uganda is a leading primate trekking destination in East Africa with the highest mountain gorilla and chimpanzee populations. The country however has other amazing wildlife species and a diverse culture that make Uganda safaris exceptional.
Unlike other East African safari destinations, Uganda is an eco-friendly destination with a lot of consideration for wildlife sustainability. Primates are among the most endangered wildlife species and it is only right to protect them. Below are some of the Uganda Primate Safari Tours and where you can experience them.
Primate safari tours
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Parks is among the top Uganda Primate Safari Tours. This forested national park is commonly referred to as the primate capital of the world because of its primate diversity. It is home to chimpanzees and 12 other primates including red-tailed monkeys, colobus, and vervet monkeys among others.
Kibale has the highest population of Eastern chimpanzees and has several habituated chimpanzee communities open to tourism. For any chimpanzee community to be opened up for tourism it first undergoes habituation. This is aimed at making it get accustomed to human beings’ presence without charging at them.
The chimpanzee habituation process is still ongoing as many wild chimpanzees have to be habituated. Habituation reduces the human-wildlife conflict as many people acknowledge the value of wildlife once they tour and meet them. In Kibale National Park there is an opportunity to join the well-experienced team of rangers on this habituation experience. You can alternatively opt to trek to an already habituated chimpanzee community. Other Uganda chimpanzee trekking destinations include Kalizu Forest, Budongo, and Kyambura Gorge Forest.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Safari Tours
Mountain gorillas are the other most prominent primate species in Uganda. Just like their name depicts, mountain gorillas live in the mountainous areas of southeastern Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has the highest mountain gorilla population on the entire planet.
Bwindi Gorilla trekking tours are done in the four major sectors the park has. These include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo. Each of these sectors has habituated gorilla families and it is always important to note the sector where you are to have your gorilla trek. Just like chimpanzees, mountain gorillas also undergo habituation. There is an ongoing habituation process in the southern sector (Rushaga) that you can join when on Uganda Primate Safari Tours. This however has limited slots of only 4 people and you are advised to book in advance if it is what you are interested in.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park is the second Uganda gorilla trekking destination. It is also located in southwestern Uganda but is part of the Virunga massif and conservation area. The Virunga massif is a chain of Volcanic mountains along the Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC border. These mountains are home to mountain gorillas and many other wildlife species.
Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla Park has only one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi. Gorilla trekking safaris here are exclusive and more remarkable as you hike to meet the Nyakagezi family. We have curated several Uganda gorilla trekking safari tours to Bwindi and Mgahinga that you can opt for on your Uganda safari. These can be further adjusted to add more gorilla treks or other gorilla trekking destinations like Volcanoes or Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Golden Monkey Trekking
You can feature a golden monkey trek on your Uganda Primate Safari Tours. Golden monkeys are also rare primates and endemic to the Virunga massif. This means you can only track them in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park having mountain gorillas and golden monkeys makes it one of the ultimate Uganda Primate Safari destinations. Each of these safari activities are morning and you therefore have to do them on separate days. Your typical Mgahinga Gorilla tour would feature these two primate treks and Mount Gahinga Hike in case you are interested in mountain hiking.
Our 4-day Mgahinga Gorilla Tour is the best to explore this park.
Other Uganda Safari Tours
Open savanna wildlife safari tours in Uganda’s savanna national parks are equally great. Murchison Falls National Park is one of Uganda’s finest savanna wildlife destinations. The park is bisected by the Nile River on its journey up north. While on Uganda safari tours to Murchison you can engage in safari activities including game drives and boat safaris along the Nile.
Uganda is a leading birding safari destination with incredible birding opportunities. Birding safaris in Uganda normally start at the Mabamba bay home to the rare shoebill stork and many other birds. Semuliki Valley, the Royal Mile, and MuBwindi Swamp are other great Uganda Birding safari destinations. Our 7-day Uganda Birding journeys feature several cool birding safari destinations.
Best Time to Visit
Uganda Primate Safari Tours can be enjoyed any time of the year. The country has incredible weather conditions with only two seasons, the rainy and dry season. The dry season starts from June to mid-September and from mid-December to Early March. It doubles as the peak tourist season as wildlife viewing and photography are easy during the dry season.
The rainy months favor the growth of lush vegetation and are equally great months to explore Uganda. You can choose to visit Uganda for Primate Safari Tours or other exclusive destinations including Northern Kenya and Tanzania. If you planning a honeymoon safari, Rwanda and Uganda are still ideal for primate trekking adventures.
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