How To Plan the Ultimate Africa Primate Safari In Uganda

The primate kingdom in Africa is naturally thriving in Uganda’s natural forests. The most outstanding primate is mountain gorilla which Uganda prides in as one of the only three destinations in the world that offer this.

Chimpanzee trekking may be offered elsewhere but Uganda has the biggest number of habituated chimpanzees in forest like Kibale, Kaniyo Pabidi, Kyambura gorge.

Golden monkeys enjoy the freedom of Mgahinga national park in the fur south of Uganda. These interesting primates have unique life that is not common amongst other primates.

Uganda hosts several other primates like black and while colobus, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, bush babies, grey checked mangabey, blue monkeys to mention but a few.

Planning Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking and Golden Monkey Tour In Uganda

Day one Drive to Mgahinga Forest with a stop at Mpanga Forest

Since the journey is long an early morning rise will save a lot of time. Drive to Mpigi making a stop at Mpanga forest for a stop to search for some primates. The forest harbors primates like black and white colobus, bush babies, olive baboons.

Continue your journey until you arrive in Mgahinga forest late evening to check in at your lodge

Day Two Gorilla Trekking In Mgahinga Forest National Park

Rise up early morning for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National park. Carry the right gorilla trekking gears without forgetting the masks and handsanitiser comfortable for your skin.

Get ready for briefing where a ranger guide will brief you about the do and don’ts of gorilla trekking. Get ready to enter this thick forest but you will notice that the under growth in it is quite dense because the forest is not regularly visited.

Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only family open for tourist viewing in Mgahinga National park. look around the forest to identify different primates in the forest where you may have the chance to see primate like blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey to mention but a few.

Finally you locate the mountain gorillas, watch they interact as a family like feeding, grooming the infants to mention but a few. The gorilla trekking clients are allowed only one hour with the mountain gorillas.

Return to your lodge to relax.

Day Three golden monkey trek in Mgahinga National Park

Following an experience with gorilla trekking in Mgahinga forest, embark on golden monkey trek. This unique monkey is interesting to follow and has interesting behavior not commonly seen among other primates.

 They have brown golden fur that covers there body and display behavior similar to chimpanzees. They are very entertaining to watch and follow because of there high intellectual capacity.

The golden monkeys live freely with other primates and numerous birds that linger from one tree branch to another.

Return to the lodge and relax.

Day Four Drive To Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee trekking

 Having enjoyed the big primates in Mgahinga National Park, embark on a road trip to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is so interesting as you maneuver rolling hills of Kigezi going through interesting green countryside.

 Arrive late afternoon to relax, feel the cool fresh air from the natural forest that cleans the air around.

Day Five Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale Forest

Carrying your chimpanzee trekking gears, head to the ranger station for briefing. Do not forget to carry your mask and hand sanitizer.

 You are divided into groups of 6 trekkers who follow the ranger guide. Try to keep up with the rest of the group so that you are not lost in the forest. In case you are chimpanzee trekking in the morning, you may get the chance to find the chimpanzees de-nesting.

The community of chimpanzees feeds together under the watch of an alpha male which is democratically chosen. Some chimpanzee spies also feed from a short distance from the rest of the group so as to warn the rest of the community in case of any intruders.

Watch other for more monkeys you might have missed during the past encounters in the forest.

Spot other forest occupants like forest hogs, forest elephants, numerous bird species and so much more.

Return to the lodge to relax.

Day Six Drive back to Entebbe Airport after an African primate safari in Uganda

 After a lovely meeting with the great primates of Uganda, drive back to Entebbe airport to catch up with your home bound flight. Take nothing from the forest only memories and photos of your encounter with the great primates.

What To Pack for Uganda Primate Safari

Tracking boots are necessary to protect your feet from rough surfaces and the jungle. Whether you are gorilla trekking, chimpanzees tracking or Golden monkeys searching, you have to walk through the jungle.

Camouflaged clothes a comfortable while going through the rough dirty jungle. Some tourists are very sensitive with looking messy but packing clothes that are dirt friendly makes you enjoy the search.

A water proof poncho or rain coat to protect you from dew falling off the leaves especially in the morning.

Packing masks even if you are fully immunized gives you extra protection and it’s a necessity post covid-19.

Insect repellant that suits your skin makes you feel comfortable and no side effects.

A sound proof camera keeps all your memories alive even when you return home.

Read more about what to pack for primate tour in Uganda

 How to book permits for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and golden monkey trekking in Uganda

When you book a primate holiday with Arch Safaris and Tours, we do all the ground work for you like checking availability of gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey permits, get back to you within 24 hours.

The Uganda wildlife Authority being the selling body for all these permits but also deals with other components like park entrance fees is always busy. The long queue of calls disgusts and frustrates some travelers but we are here to shoulder your burden so that you enjoy.

When is the best time to do gorilla trekking?

All year round gorilla trekking is open but during the drier months the gorillas can be located easily. The wet seasons send them to the slopes because of the socked ground. This requires you to hike to meet them which is quite tedious.