Top places to see Primates in Uganda.
Top places to see primates in Uganda – If you are a lover of wildlife especially primates, Uganda is definitely a top tier destination for you offering several locations to visit and see different kinds of primates. Uganda, also known as the Pearl of Africa is located in the Eastern part of Africa. The country is blessed with an abundance of locations for tourists to visit so they can have a lifetime experience. The country is blessed with amazing weather making it a favourable destination for people who like to travel. On top of that, it is a multicultural country with welcoming people and it is also blessed with an abundance of wildlife including the primates. Encounter Africa safaris helps in organizing and planning trips for those interested in visiting Uganda for primates and so much more.
Uganda as a country is home to several primates in different locations. The country is home to the endangered mountain gorillas that can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country is also home to several chimpanzee communities spread out in different locations. In addition to these two, Uganda is home to the Golden monkeys which are also on the list of vulnerable Primate Species in the world. The country is also home to baboons, Ugandan Mangabey bush babies and several species of monkeys (Blue monkey, vervet monkey, red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, ashy red colobus, Dent’s mona monkey and so much more.) All these primates and more can be found in the following locations in Uganda. Contact us for more information.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi is very popular as a home to mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the largest concentration of mountain gorillas in Uganda and the whole world. The mountain gorillas are majestic primates in the family of great apes. Many people all over the world desire to see these gorillas in their natural setting and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers you that experience. The gorilla families in the park can be found in different sectors of the park namely Buhoma which is the park headquarters, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. The Gorilla families that are allowed to be visited by tourists have been habituated to human presence which makes it a very safe experience.
Gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
For one to see these Gorillas in Bwindi, you have to acquire a gorilla trekking permit or a gorilla habituation permit. Please note that the minimum age limit for this activity is 15 years. The normal gorilla trekking permit allows you to have an hour with the gorillas once they have been trekked and found. Gorilla habituation on the other hand allows you 4 hours with the gorillas when found. The normal gorilla permit costs 800 USD per person and the habituation permit costs 1500 USD per person for foreigners. For more information on this please feel free to contact Encounter Africa Safaris.
Getting gorilla permits can only be done through a registered tour operator who books the permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority on your behalf. All you have to do is to set dates when you would like to visit these gorillas and then contact Encounter Africa Safaris who will handle the entire book process for you. Once the permit is paid for, a receipt and permit are issued which are shared with you for you to present on the actual trekking day. If you are interested in primates, you can choose to visit the gorillas in Uganda with the assistance of Encounter Africa Safaris which is here to organize your trip seamlessly.
Mgahinga National Park
This park is located in south Western Uganda. Mgahinga is under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority and it is known for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park is situated in the Virunga mountain ranges namely Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhavura.
Gorilla and Golden monkey permits for Mgahinga
For you to be able visit and trek the gorillas and golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park, you have to have acquired trekking permits. These can be gotten with the help of a licensed tour operator such as Encounter Africa Safaris. The gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga costs 800 USD per person and the golden monkeys cost 100 USD for non-foreign residents. For more information on gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park, contact Encounter Africa Safaris.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is located in Western Uganda and is one great place to visit for primates. The park is under the protection and management of Uganda Wildlife Authority. Kibale National Park is a chimpanzee haven with about 1500 chimpanzees that can be found in different communities in the park. Kibale National Park is the most popular place for chimpanzees in the country.
Chimpanzee permits for Kibale
You need to have chimpanzee permits for you to be able to trek in Kanyanchu which is the park headquarters. The normal chimp trekking permit is 250 USD and 300 USD for chimpanzee habituation for non-foreign residents. For more information on chimp permits please contact Encounter Africa fixers
Chimpanzee permits can only be obtained through a tour operator that is licensed and recognized by Uganda Wildlife Authority, this is the part where Encounter Africa Safaris comes in. All you have to do is share your desired trekking dates with our trusted tour consultant and then we handle the booking process for you and once payment is done, you receive a receipt and a permit.
In addition to chimpanzees, you will be able to see the Black-and-white colobuses, L’Hoest’s monkey, the olive baboon, blue monkey and so much more.
Budongo Forest Reserve
Budongo forest reserve is another great place in Uganda where you can see primates. This reserve is located in northwestern Uganda and is under the management of the National Forest Authority. The reserve is very popular for its chimpanzees. The reserve is also home to several other primate species such as black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Olive baboons and so much more.
Chimpanzee permits for Budongo Forest Reserve
For you to see the chimpanzees in this reserve, you have to get chimpanzee trekking permits that cost 110 USD for foreign non-residents in the low season and 120 USD in the high season. You can also choose a chimpanzee habituation which costs 220 USD for foreign non-residents. This reserve can be visited in addition to the Murchison Falls National Park which is in the same location. For more information on how to visit Budongo forest reserve for primates, contact Encounter Africa Safaris.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is another great destination to visit if you love primates especially chimpanzees. The sanctuary is a home to several chimpanzees that were rescued from harm (orphans, illegal meat trade and accidents). The Chimpanzees are taken care of in this sanctuary and rehabilitated back to health. Visiting this sanctuary gives you the opportunity to spend time with the chimpanzees as they go on with their daily activities that you can also participate in. For more information on visiting Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary please contact Encounter Africa Safaris.
Our Top Primate Tours in Uganda.
If you are planning to visit Uganda and want to see primates, you can consider going on one of our popular primate tours that are listed below.
- 3 day Gorilla Uganda Tour
- 3 day Gorilla Habituation experience
- 5 day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tour
- 8 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari through Kigali
- 10 day Uganda Primate and Game Safari
These and many more packages are available for you to choose from. Even better, you can have a tailor made trip that fits into your preferences to ensure that you enjoy yourself to the fullest. For more information on our tour packages for primates, Contact Encounter Africa Safaris.
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Primates
Visiting Uganda for primates can be done all year round. Uganda is a tropical climate country that experiences both dry and wet seasons. For the case of primates, we advise that you visit during the dry season. This is because most of them are in forested areas and it is easier to trek in the dry season and they can be easily seen because the vegetation is not thick. The wet season is also okay to see primates in Uganda and the advantage is that it won’t take a lot of time to trek the primates as food in this season is abundant and the primates don’t have to move far in search of food. Overall, primates in Uganda can be seen at any time you choose. The dry season runs in the months of June to September and January to March and the wet season is in the months of March to May and September to December. For more information and help organising your trip to Uganda, contact Encounter Africa Safaris.
Obtaining a Visa for Uganda.
Entry into Uganda requires you to have a valid tourist visa. The visa has to be applied for online. The issuing time is about 3 days and more so you have to make sure that you book your visa at least 7 days before your arrival into the country. For your visa to be authorized, you need to have the following:
- Passport copy (bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity.
- Recent Passport-size Photograph.
- Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
- Hotel booking or reservation (if any other accommodation, provide an address)
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination.
For more information on the visa process please reach out to Encounter Africa Safaris for assistance or Visit the Uganda Electronic Visa system.
Transport arrangements in Uganda.
When you book your tour to see primates in Uganda with Encounter Africa Safaris, we also organize transportation to your chosen destinations. Our vehicles are comfortable and suitable for doing safari tours over the country. You can choose to use a 4 by 4 Safari van or use a land cruiser depending on your preference and budget. Our vehicles come with professional and experienced drivers who are well versed in the locations in the country. For those who prefer to use air transport instead of going through the long journey on road, we can also arrange flights for you with the flight operators and plan accordingly to ensure that you enjoy your trip in Uganda. For assistance in organizing transportation in Uganda, please contact Encounter Africa Safaris.
Is it Safe to See Primates in Uganda?
Yes it is very safe to see primates in Uganda. All the locations that have been listed above are under management by prominent organisations that ensure that security is available. When in the parks and the reserves of Uganda, you will be safe as you are escorted by rangers and guides that are very conversant with the locations and who ensure that you see the primates without any challenges. Uganda as a country is also a safe and stable country which makes it a safe option to visit if you want to see primates. If you are planning a trip in Uganda or want to see primates, Contact Encounter Africa Safaris to help you with the entire process.
Why use Encounter Africa Safaris as your trusted tour operator.
Encounter Africa Safaris is one of the leading tour operators for the East African region, we have been organizing amazing experiences to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania for the last 15 years and are in a position to give you the best advice in terms of getting the best out of any penny spent. We have a team of competent safari designers and guides who will make sure that planning and executing your safari is done with ease. Encounter Africa Safaris is owned and run by locals and part of the money paid by you is channelled to benefiting projects that support community development as well as conserving the environment. If you are looking for an operator to curate and plan your trip to Uganda and the rest of East Africa, choose Encounter Africa Safaris and I assure you that the package will be amazing. Encounter Africa safaris is highly recommended on trip advisor as well as safari bookings. Feel free to visit our trip advisor and get to see what other clients say about our service.