13 Primates of Kibale Forest National Park

Known as the Primate Capital of the World, Kibale National Park is with no doubt one of Africa’s richest ecosystems. Over 13 primate species call Kibale a home making it one of the most sought primate safari destinations in Africa. The park sits right in Western Uganda, with its borders expanding up to 795sq.kms featuring a lush tropical forest where its abundant primates and other species of wildlife, birds, floral species, reptiles, butterflies, etc all live.

The 13 primates of Kibale National Park not to be missed on Uganda safaris include chimpanzees and over 1500 of Uganda’s 5050 chimpanzees all live in this park; l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, pottos, Blue monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, bush babies and more.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are the top 13 primates of Kibale National Park, attracting thousands of nature enthusiasts to enjoy primate walks, chimpanzee tracking or chimpanzee habituation experience all year-round. Over 1500 chimpanzees all roam within Kibale Forest and 5 communities are estimated to have undergone habituation and are ready for tracking.

Chimpanzees are charming creatures and they are humans closest relatives, sharing up to 98.7% of their DNA with us. An encounter with a massive chimpanzee is a great opportunity for you to draw a relationship between humans and these unique apes. On Uganda safaris, chimps in Kibale can be spotted during the 2 chimpanzee trekking sessions or on long day chimpanzee habituation.

Red-Tailed Monkeys

The red-tailed monkeys/the spot-nosed monkey also famous as black cheeked white-nosed monkeys are some of the interesting 13 primates of Kibale awaiting you to encounter on Uganda safaris. These primates look more of red-tailed monkeys than what their name describes them to be. Like most primates of Kibale, the red-tailed monkeys depend mostly on fruits, leaves, roots, flowers, etc.

Black and white colobus monkeys

The word “colobus” denotes to “mutilated” describing the non-existent thumb across primates referred to as colobus. At the time they are born, they have white fur and a pin face, later, they grow full black bodies and white beard. They are among the highly threatened monkeys due to the high demand for their skins. The black and white colobus monkeys have a unique multi-chambered stomach.

L’Hoest monkeys

L’Hoest monkeys are rare primates on their own. They have grey cheeks, dark brown coat which distinguish them from the rest of the primates. It is easy to sight most of the l’hoest monkeys on primate walk in Kibale national Par.

Uganda mangabeys

Uganda mangabeys are some of the charming primates of Kibale National Park. These monkey species were recognized in 2007 as a species of its own and it is endemic to Uganda.

Red colobus monkeys

The red colobus monkeys are stunning and they can be spotted leaping from one tree to the other. They have dark grey fur with black hands and feet. These monkey species live in large groups of 3-80 individuals.

Vervet monkeys

Vervet monkeys come with ash-grey fur and black face fringed. They live in 10-70 members per troop and considered to have the same temperaments like humans.

Olive baboons

On Uganda safari in Kibale, the olive baboons can’t be missed. They warmly welcome you into Kibale Forest- spot majority of them playing around as you go enjoy your chimpanzee tracking.

Other unique primates to consider a must-see on Kibale safari include blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, patas monkeys, etc.

In summary, Kibale National Park located in Western Uganda is truly the primate paradise of East Africa. Visit Kibale and enjoy view of diverse primates in a single habitat and right in their natural habitats.