Primate safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are arguably the best wildlife experiences in the region attracting thousands of travelers from all over the world. Uganda and Rwanda are blessed with a variety of primate species with the most popular among travelers including gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys. There are about 13 primate species found in Uganda and Rwanda.
Visitors on primate tours in Rwanda and Uganda can also encounter other primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons and more during their tours of the national parks and forests.
Primates safaris in Uganda
Uganda is home to numerous primate species and over half the world’s population of mountain gorillas are found in the country.
Activities which tourists take part in when visiting Uganda on primate tours include gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, chimpanzee trekking and habituation and also golden monkey trekking and habituation.
The best time to go on a primate tour in Uganda depends on the primate species of interest of the tourist and the weather conditions. Generally, the dry season which is experienced around June to September and December to February is considered the best time to go for the primate tour, as the trails are drier and easier to navigate. However, the wet season around November and also in March to May is also a good time to see primates in Uganda as they are more active and easier to spot.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park which are home to mountain gorillas.
During gorilla treks in Uganda, tourists are allowed to spend 1 hour observing the mountain gorillas of Bwindi or Mgahinga national park. Gorilla permits are also required for tourists to spend time with the gorillas and these permits cost 700 USD in Uganda and are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
In Bwindi national park, the search of gorillas can be done across the various sectors including Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector and Nkuringo sector. As compared to Bwindi national park, gorillas can be seen in only in one area as the park doesn’t have sectors and is one of the small national parks in Uganda.
Gorilla groups in Uganda which are visited during primate tours include Mubare group, Habiyanja group, Rushegura group, Bitukura group, Kyaguliro group, Oruzogo group, Nkuringo group, Kahungye group, Bweza group, Nyakagezi group among others.
Gorilla habituation is also carried out during primate tours in Uganda and a permit for this activity costs 1500 USD per person.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is another exciting primate experience which takes place in Uganda and chimpanzees are found in various locations around the country.
Places where chimpanzees can be seen in Uganda include Kibale national park, Kyambura gorge and the Budongo forest. The Ngamba island sanctuary is another location where chimpanzees can be seen when visiting Uganda.
A chimpanzee permit in Kibale forest national park costs 200 USD per person and 50 USD per person in Kyambura gorge which is located in Queen Elizabeth national park. In Budongo forest located in Murchison falls national park, the chimpanzee permit costs 130 USD per person.
Chimpanzee tours in Uganda also involve engaging in chimpanzee habituation which costs 250 USD per person in Kibale national park.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda takes place in the Mgahinga national park which is located in south western part of the country.
Visiting the golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park costs 60 USD per person and this fee excludes park entrance fees for the park. Gorilla habituation also takes place in the national park and a permit costs 100 USD per person.
Primates tours in Rwanda
Primate tours in Rwanda are part of the exciting visits around the country which offers experiences including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and also golden monkey trekking.
The best time to visit the primates in Rwanda is during the months of the dry season around June, July, August and September and also around December, January and in February.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
Mountain gorillas in Rwanda can be seen in the Volcanoes national park which is one of the popular destinations in the country.
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs 1500 USD per person and allows tourists to spend 1 hour with gorillas in their natural habitat. The nature of the habitat of the gorillas in Volcanoes national park is made up of steep bamboo slopes.
Gorilla groups which tourists interact with during gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park include Susa group, Karisimbi group, Umubano group, Amahoro group, Kwitonda group, Sabyinyo group, Bwenge group, Agashya group among others.
There is a gorilla naming ceremony which takes place in Rwanda known as the Kwita Izina ceremony during which the baby gorillas are given names.
Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park
Tourists can also take part in golden monkey trekking during primate tours in Rwanda specifically in Volcanoes national park.
The cost of golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park is 100 USD per person and this fee allows tourists to spend 1 hour with the golden monkeys in their natural habitat and observe them
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park
Nyungwe national park located in south western Rwanda is another place for primate tours in Rwanda. Tourists can visit the chimpanzees during their tours in Nyungwe forest national park.
Permits for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park is 90 USD per person and the search for the chimpanzees in Rwanda starts from Katabi, Uwinka and Gisakura.
Tourists are divided into groups of 8 for the search of chimpanzees and limited permits are issued each day for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park.
What to pack for primate safaris in Uganda and Rwanda
Some of the items to pack for the primate tours in Uganda and Rwanda include hiking shoes, long sleeved shirts and trousers, cameras, gloves, rain jackets, drinking water and snacks, insect repellant among others.