When it comes to a primate safari in Africa, Uganda offers a diverse of primate safaris with an opportunity to trek chimpanzees, the rare mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys. Primates are some of the most fascinating fauna on the plane. Chimpanzees together with Gorillas are the only great apes that are currently restricted in their range to Africa. A primate safari in Uganda includes exploring Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park for the budget gorilla tours in Uganda. All primates have large brains compared to their body size. They are good climbers with strong arms, legs and long grasping fingers and toes. Humans are also primates. Primates are grouped together because they share many important similarities, these similarities occur because they are all closely related in evolutionary terms. Tracking habituated chimps and gorillas is possibly one of the best experiences that you could give yourself in this lifetime. Our primate safaris in Uganda are led by experienced guides with an intimate knowledge of ape habitats and behaviors. We can coordinate your schedule to highlight primates, or enhance your existing plans if desired. With less than 1000 remaining in the wild, mountain gorillas are one of the world’s greatest heart-breaking wildlife stories. The animals are cherished for their peaceful demeanour, gentle appearance and deep brown eyes. In the whole world, there are only two known habitats of the mountain gorillas: the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla Park in Uganda, the Virunga region which covers the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda is one of three places in Africa where you can see these majestic gentle apes. Spotting gorillas in Bwindi Forest is a slightly more challenging experience than seeing the Big Five on a wildlife safari in the African Savannah. Gorillas live at a high altitude and the actual process of trekking involves walking long distance through the thick vegetation, steep slopes, wet and muddy terrain. Finding gorillas requires you to hike, hours on end and when there, only spend a limited amount of one hour with this magnificent wildlife before it’s time to head back. Flash photography is not allowed when in close proximity with the gorillas so be sure to turn it off. Gorilla permits are current US$ 600/US$450 per person in Uganda respectively, US$ 1500 per person in Rwanda and US$ 400 per person in Democratic Republic of Congo. Another incredible African primate destination for mountain gorillas is in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park research home of the late Dian Fossey and in Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo the most biologically diverse area on the planet and home to the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. Kibale National Park in Uganda also has chimpanzees; over 1500 of them, though, they are much habituated to human presence and there are fewer restrictions on viewing times. The fact is that most people see these primates in small fenced animal sanctuaries, but at Kibale National Park in western park of Uganda, you see chimps in their own natural, wild and unfettered habitat. You can go on a Chimpanzee Habituation Experience at Kibale and spend the whole day with them. All of the primates are endemic in Kibale Forest and researchers and scientists are still discovering more species. Just imagine you may be on a primate tour in Africa when a new species is found. Chimps are our closest living relatives. We share approximately 98% of our DNA with chimps. Chimpanzees live in social communities of several dozen animals and can habituate themselves to African rain forests, woodlands and grasslands. Chimps do have a hierarchy and generally each community has an Alpha male who is considered the most powerful member of the group. They can stand and walk upright, they swing from branch to branch and they can also move quite efficiently in the trees where they do most of their eating. Chimpanzees usually sleep in the trees as well as employing nests of leaves. Chimps are generally fruit and plant eaters, but they also consume insects and meat. The primary threats to chimps are habitat destruction, hunting and disease. Through their work, humans now understand many chimpanzee behaviors. To protect the ape, the chimpanzee safaris in Kibale Forest have rigorously policies. Kibale National Park, visitants must be over 12 and 15 years old respectively and viewing the chimps in their habitat is limited to one hour. The regulations allow these primates to remain protected from human influence, including disease that can be transmitted from humans to chimpanzees. Other areas in Uganda also offer primate-seeking travelers with an abundance of agile include Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth and Toro Semliki forest reserve. You will appreciate the keen eye of your guide, as these hairy mammals are elusive and difficult to spot in the canopy. Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is at the cost of $150 per in High season for the months of June to October and December to February. And $100 per person is for the low season for months of April, May and November. Chimpanzee Habituation Experience cost $220 per person per day.
