Top Primates of Rwanda And Uganda

Rwanda and Uganda are two amazing African countries that neighbor each other and are blessed with lots of phenomenal things but one of their highlights for travelers and even locals is their wide array of primates. From the jungles to the savannah, these two countries’ primates are abundant wherever you go and these are some of the things that make them so appealing.

The rich and phenomenal diversity of primates in Rwanda and Uganda is what makes them such fascinating and thrilling destinations to explore. These species include the Albertine Rift endemics, savannah-ranging species, and others, some of which are not found in other countries except these two.

With numerous species of primates found throughout these countries, this article has summarized the list of our top Rwanda and Uganda primates, with a few tips on where you are likely to encounter them;

Mountain Gorillas

gorillas

Scientifically known as “Gorilla beringei beringei”, Mountain gorillas are probably the most common and undeniably the top primates of Rwanda and Uganda. These endangered Giant Apes occupy the verdant and mist-covered natural habitats high in the mountains between 2500 and 4000 meters above sea level. The World’s total population of these Giant Apes is approximately 1063 individuals (according to the 2018 Census) and more than half of these are in Uganda while about 35% are in Rwanda. In Uganda, you can see these primates in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks while in Rwanda, you can see them in Volcanoes National Park.

Mountain gorillas are one of the largest living primates marked by black and thick fur, broad chests, and a significant sagittal crest on their foreheads. For each of the National Parks where they are found, only visitors aged 15 years and above are allowed to track them, and gorilla permits cost $1500 per person in Rwanda and $700 per person in Uganda.

Golden monkeys

These golden-brown-colored primates are scientifically known as “Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti” and are endemic to the Virunga Conservation Area that comprises Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda, Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are undeniably one of the top primates of these two countries and are known for their frisky behavior as they jump from one tree branch to the other while engaging in exciting social interactions.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees

Eastern Chimpanzees, scientifically referred to as “Pan Troglodytes schweinfurthii” are another top primates of Rwanda and Uganda. Sharing over 98.7% of their DNA with humans, these primates are very intelligent and social beings with exciting behavior that are likely to blow your mind. In Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park and its adjacent Forest- Cyamudongo are the two main areas to track and see these Great Apes while in Uganda, there are a wide range of places that include Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge (in Queen Elizabeth National Park), Kalinzu Forest, the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve for those who wish to see them in the wild while places like Uganda Wildlife Education Center and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary are the two main places to see them in captivity.

L’Hoests monkeys

Scientifically referred to as “Allochrocebus lhoesti”, the L’Hoests monkeys are also called “Mountain monkeys” marked by dark fur and an incredible white beard. They live in close-knit groups referred to as “Troops” and occupy the verdant montane forests of Nyungwe Forest and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable and Kibale Forest National Parks in Uganda.

Grey-cheeked Mangabey

Scientifically known as “Lophocebus albigena”, the Grey-cheeked Mangabey is marked by a beautiful appearance marked by incredible gray cheeks as well as a bushy white tuft at the base of its tail. Known for its remarkable arboreal lifestyle and unique behavior of swinging majestically through trees. They mainly live in dense evergreen forests like Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda, as well as Mabira Forest and Kibale National Park in Uganda.

Black and white colobus monkeys

The Black and white colobus monkeys are beautiful primates of Rwanda and Uganda, known for their distinctive black and white coats as well as long flowing tails that make them stand out in the jungles. They are found in Nyungwe Forest and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks in Rwanda, Kibale Forest National Park, and Budongo Forest in Uganda.

Vervet monkeys

You will easily see vervet monkeys (also Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in most National Parks in Uganda and Rwanda. Thanks to their adaptability, they can live in grasslands, woodlands, forests, Agricultural lands,

and even urban areas. They have a distinctive black face and grizzled coats with numerous vocalizations that serve as a means of communication within their troops.

Blue monkeys

Known for their distinctive blue-gray fur as well as expressive faces, Blue monkeys (also Cercopithecus mitis) are another top primate of Rwanda and Uganda known for their agile climbing technique that enables them to thrive in the dense canopies where they enjoy leaves, fruits, as well as insects. You can see these incredible primates during guided walks in Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda or Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda.

Red-tailed Monkeys

The “Cercopithecus Ascanius” as they are scientifically referred are characterized by their bright russet tails as well as their agile acrobatics in the thick forest canopies. They exhibit interesting playful antics that excite visitors who see them in Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda, or Kibale Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda.

Olive baboons

Olive baboons are one of the most popular primates in Uganda and Rwanda, scientifically known as “Papio Anubis”. They can be identified by their grayish-green fur and mainly occupy the open savannahs, dense forests, and other natural habitats hence making them one of the most adaptable primates. They can be spotted in all the National Parks in Rwanda and almost all in Uganda (but most commonly in Kibale Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley National Parks among others.