Seeing primates as animals in the wild is truly special – but, trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest is remarkably another feeling. The relationship we get with apes is for sure the genetic feeling that they talk about.
Primatologist did research and came up with up to 98% DNA of some primates being the same as that of humans. This is closely found on the apes, gorillas, orangutan, chimpanzees and the bonobos.
When we talk about primates in Africa you will definitely get Uganda on the list as it has some of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas in the world. A combination of wildlife ad primates would not be a bad idea but what about primate’s only safari in Uganda.
When it comes to primates experiences in Africa, we all agree with Uganda and Rwanda .However much travelers love these luxury travel experiences they come with a high cost. Gorilla trekking destinations in the mighty Virunga Mountains in Rwanda is $1500 per person for one hour and $800 in Uganda Bwindi impenetrable national park. These deep forests are Its remote, untouched and gives it a genuine feel – no large crowds are queuing to get a quick photo of the apes.
Conservation is on top of their game of primates I east Africa, this means the primates experiences maybe limited to a certain number of persons I a day with a lot of caution.
Best Places to see primates in Africa.
Primates and Wild gorillas live in the forests of east and central Africa – Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda.
Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Renowned for harboring half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population, Bwindi offers unforgettable gorilla tracking experiences for tourists. You may encounter monkeys here and baboons as well. Rwanda, DRC, Uganda share the virunga ranges is also a home to gorillas and golden monkeys Uganda.
Kibale Forest National Park: A home for large concentration of chimpanzee trekking in Africa, as well as highest density and diversity of primates on the continent, with 13 distinct species inhabiting its lush forests like monkeys, baboons . Chimpanzees are also in Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC, south Sudan and the central republic in Africa.
Rwanda
Rwanda is commonly known as the land of hills, it’s very green hills are forested mostly and home to thousands of primates in there. In the volcanoes forest that is shared with in the virungas Rwanda has mountain gorillas as well as golden monkeys.
And as you go deep exploring Rwanda you come to Nyungwe National Park rain forest in southwestern Rwanda, is home to a thriving population of chimpanzees, one of the most famous great apes of Africa. Rwanda has got quite a number of monkeys here as well like the L’Hoest’s Monkey.
Democratic republic of Congo
The democratic republic if Congo is a very forested country however only in the parts of the virunga national park that stretches all the way from the Ruwenzori to Rwanda is where the magic of primates is. However due to the political instability in DRC tracking these wild primates is very hard.
The forest is a home to mountain gorillas, banabos, quiets a number of monkeys and baboons. It is only in DRC where you may get a chance to see all the three types of the gorillas. The eastern lowlands in Madiakoko national park and the mountain gorillas in virunga and kahuzi biega national park
Key Primate Species in Africa
- Gorilla
As the largest member of the primate family, a gorilla can reach heights of up to 1.8 meters and weigh as much as 220 kilograms. Four subspecies of gorillas are recognized. The mountain gorilla faces the most severe threats ad is now considered endangered specie.
However the governments of counties where mountain gorillas re found have put up stringent measures to protect ad conserve theirs great apes. This has forced the prices of tracking mountain gorillas to go up to $1500 for just one hour.
The current population of mountain gorillas is approximately 1063, a notable increase in recent years. Of these, at least 604 inhabit the Virunga Mountains shared by Uganda, DRC, and Rwanda, while 459 reside in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
- Chimpanzees
Just like the mountain gorillas are apes that are characterized by their distinctive black coats, share a remarkably close DNA with humans, making them closer to us than any other. Living in expansive and loosely connected communities, chimpanzees are organized around a core of related males, with an internal hierarchy led by an alpha male.
Chimpanzees inhabit various national parks across Africa like Uganda in Kibale Forest standing out as the premier destination for chimpanzee tracking, Nyungwe in Rwanda and the DRC, Tanzania and the central republic of Africa.
- Monkeys
The monkeys belong to the family Cercopithecidae, also known as Old World Monkeys. They are categorized into five genera: Colobus, Cercopithecus (guenons), Papio (baboons), Erythrocebus (patas), and Cercocebus (mangabeys).All Round Africa you can get to see monkeys.