Are you interested in primate safaris and you do not know where to go to? Well, if your plan is to embark on primate safari, East Africa should be a must to visit. While on safari in Africa, Uganda and Rwanda are a few most exceptional safari destinations you need to explore and you won’t be left in regrets when it comes to primate safaris. We do arrange both budget and luxury primate safaris right from Rwanda to Uganda.
Where to go for primate safari
Both Uganda and Rwanda offer refuge to distinct primate species, one reason they are considered among a few unique destinations for primate adventures. A visit to Uganda and Rwanda offers you a chance to track mountain gorillas and in Uganda, you can catch a glimpse at these creatures in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. In Uganda, about 17 gorilla families have been habituated and readily set for visitors to track. In Bwindi, gorilla treks are conducted in any of the 4 major regions of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Each of these regions has its own habituated families with Buhoma region consisting of Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Katwe; Rushaga region has groups like Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Bweza; Nkuringo area features Nkuringo and Christmas families and Ruhija comprises of Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguliro. However, gorilla permits in Uganda can be obtained at $600 per person and you can obtain one through a reliable, trustworthy tour operator or reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). In Rwanda, permits can be obtained at $1500 per person and you can book one through a reliable tour operator or reservationist at Rwanda Development Board.
To have excellent experience with these creatures, you have to take note of the dry and wet season. However, gorilla trekking can be done at any time of the year. The dry season begins from June to September and December to February. This season is usually regarded as the best and most visitors do prefer traveling during this season to track mountain gorillas and also take part in various safari activities. Equally, the wet season is ideal and usually starts from March to May and from October to November. The dry spell is characterized by low rainfall and the habitat remains relatively drier thus making it a bit easier for one to track to see these creatures while in their natural habitat. The wet/rainy season comes with plenty of rainfall and much forage for gorillas to depend and in most cases; they keep around as compared to dry season when they move while in search for what to feed on.
In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is conducted in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern. If you are interested in exploring more about chimpanzees then pay a visit Uganda’s magnificent sites like Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge and Kalizu forest reserve in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Semuliki national park while in Rwanda, you can pay a visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati Mukura National Park.
Kibale Forest National Park and Budongo Forest are a few most famous tourist sites in Uganda with diverse primate species. They have habituated chimpanzee groups which have been set for tourism. Kibale National Park alone is a host to about 1500 chimpanzees and more 12 primate species including the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, L’Hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys and many others. This makes it a prominent primate destination and one of the leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Budongo forest reserve makes up part of the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area and habituated groups are found within Kaniyo Pabidi.
