A List of Primates in Uganda: Types, How Many And their Location
Uganda is home to 20 different species of primates, 13 of which are active during the day and 7 of which are active at night. The tropical forest of Uganda is home to more primates than any other country on the African continent. Among these are the most popular primate species among tourists—the mountain gorilla and the chimpanzee—and the most recent addition to the list, the dwarf galago.
In order of appearance, the following primate species belong to the Old World monkey family: golden monkey, de brazza’s monkey, black and white colobus, red colobus, potto, bushbaby, grey-checked mangabey, l’hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, vervet, patas, baboon, and blue monkey.
No other African destination offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with Africa’s primate species like Uganda does. Wildlife photography safaris and naturalist trips sometimes include visits to see the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Adventurers on a trekking trip get up close and personal with primates in their native habitats. Every day, local rangers, trackers, guides, and even primatologists lead guided trekking trips into the wild woods. Over the course of a few limited hours, they observe the habits, social structures, and familiar physical structures of a group of habituated primates.
For anyone interested in seeing gorillas or chimpanzees in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park are the two top destinations. Taking a guided forest walk during the day or at night in one of the two national parks is a great way to see other little monkeys.
Budongo Forest (Murchison Falls National Park), Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park), and Semuliki National Park are three more excellent locations in Uganda to see primates. For the more daring explorers with some spare time on their hands, there are several lesser-known forest reserves that offer decent monkey experiences.
Primate Species Found in Uganda
1. Mountain Gorilla
The mountain gorilla shares a common ancestry with other large apes such as humans, bonobos, orangutans, and chimpanzees. There are two distinct populations of mountain gorillas, and they are found only in the mountain forests of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Like a human thumbprint, a gorilla’s nose print can be used to distinguish one gorilla from another. This is the most fascinating aspect of the animal. Like most human households, theirs is a patriarchal structure with a male silverback as the head. Trekking these giant apes in southwestern Uganda is the latest sustainable tourism trend, and hundreds of people are jumping on the bandwagon.
Touched by a Wild Mountain Gorilla – The Day I Got In It’s Way
2. Chimpanzee
Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are the closest living relatives of humans. Our interest in studying and observing this monkey has recently grown intense. The chimpanzee has made significant contributions to human psychology and medicine as one of the most researched primate species. If you want to observe these amazing great apes in their native habitat, go on a daily habituation trip or hike with chimpanzees in Kibale, Budongo, Kalinzu, Kyambura Gorge, or Semuliki Forests.
Chimpanzee mating
3. Golden monkey
An Old World monkey species, the golden monkey is found nowhere else on Earth save in the bamboo-forested slopes of the Virungas. This young monkey has a charming little face and a vivacious, golden-orange coat. Head to the far southwest part of Mgahinga National Park to join the daily golden monkey trekking experiences into the bamboo bush and witness this endangered primate species.
Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga National Park, Uganda
4. Blue monkey
A near relative of the golden monkey is the blue monkey. Regardless of their close relationship, blue monkeys predominate in every forest across the nation and in every national park with the exception of Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo.
5. De Brazza’s monkey
With its distinctive blue scrotum, reddish-brown brow, and white moustache, the De Brazza’s Monkey is an exceptional primate species. They congregate in two parks: Mount Elgon National Park in the far east and Semuliki National Park in the west, close to Fort Portal City.
6. Black-and-white colobus monkey
I don’t think you would notice this stunning primate’s lack of thumbs given its striking good looks. You can’t overlook the striking contrast between the black and white colobus monkey’s colours. The black fur stands out against the white mantle, whiskers, bushy tail, and beard that round its face. You can’t help but notice it if you stroll through a large forest or even a mature riparian woodland.
7. Red colobus
An amazing primate to observe, the red colobus has large, endearing eyes and a tufted crown that contrasts with its coat of brick red, grey, and white. It inhabits the Kibale Forest in large numbers and shares a close relationship with the black-and-white colobus. In Semuliki National Park, you might spot a couple of them.
8. Potto
Because of its many names—the potto, bush bear, tree bear, and softly-softly—this Ugandan bear is the most similar to any other bear the country will ever see. Join a night-guided nature walk in Kibale Forest to see this primate species, which lives in trees and looks like a sloth.
9. Bush baby
The term “bush baby” comes from the fact that its call resembles that of a newborn. It looks strangely adorable with its rotating collapsible ears and large saucer eyes. The alternate name, galago, brings to mind the ‘Shameless’ TV series, which follows a dysfunctional family where the father is an alcoholic. Kibale Forest is home to some seriously chill primates; the galago even takes sanctuary there.
10. Grey-cheecked mangabey
The term “Mangabey” makes me think of an exotic fruit or an African royal. Just look at those teeth! This little monkey, which resembles a shaggy baboon, has the most mesmerising smile. With its shaggy coat and somewhat golden mane around its neck, the grey-cheeked mangabey is one of the most fascinating monkeys to observe in Uganda. You were absolutely correct! This primate can also be found in the vicinity of Kibale Forest.
11. L’Hoest’s monkey
It would have been fitting for Philip Lutley Sclater to honour the colonial clergy of Uganda by naming this primate Reverant’s Monkey. The coat is a stunning combination of dark brown and chestnut, and the white bib stands out against it. While most of Uganda’s other great monkey species are easy to spot, this gorgeous guenon is less famous and harder to spot. The L’Hoest’s monkey may be spotted in Kibale Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, or Maramagambo Forest—if you’re fortunate.
12. Red-tailed monkey
One more species of the astonishingly cited primate found in Uganda. White cheeks, whiskers, and a unique white heart-shaped patch on the nose give red-tailed monkeys a striking appearance. Behold, the feeding of this monkey. Its elastic cheeks allow it to store an enormous quantity of food, which it can then consume in a protected area away from potential dangers. From Kibale to Bwindi, Queen, and Semuliki, as well as any protected tropical forest in Uganda, you can find these little primate species.
13. Vervet monkey
The vervet’s blue testicles are treasures, not signs of sexual frustration, so let’s get that out of the way first. Sure thing! One of the most active savanna animals is the vervet, which is constantly engaged in some kind of activity. You can know they’re plotting their next prank when they sit around doing nothing. It is said that vervet monkey moms can identify their offspring by the sound of its scream. For so many human moms, it would be impossible to say that. Despite the fact that I once babysat a little kid whose screams were clearly identifiable from a great distance. Outside of national parks, in woodlands, or even on a leisurely stroll through Entebbe’s botanical gardens, I think you would enjoy seeing them.
14. Patas monkey.
The world’s quickest primate is the patas. Instead of using its whole foot, it relies solely on its fingertips when running. This primate-like sprinter, which is reddish-rust in colour, spends much of its time on the ground. On the Kidepo savanna plain and at Murchison Falls National Park, you can’t ignore its striking appearance.
15. Baboon
Being the most common primate species in Uganda, this monkey is known for its sociability, adaptability, and intelligence. Baboons can become arrogant and opportunistic pests in areas where people aren’t a danger. Longer canine teeth are found in adult male baboons compared to leopards. He plans to employ the dogs as deadly weapons for assault and self-defense as well as in menacing exhibitions to his enemies. We conclude our list of significant primate species in Uganda with baboons, since no one else shares our fondness for them.
Olive Baboon, Kibale National Park, Uganda