Primates are the closest family in the wild relative to
human, they era common the tropical Africa forests of Uganda. The major
primates include; chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons, monkeys and bush babies in the major
tracking forests like Kibale forest, Budongo forest, kyambura Gorge in Queen
Elizabeth national park, Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mabira forest.Kibale
forest covers about 560sq.km at an elevation of
1110- 1590 meters above sea level, about 77% of the forest is covered by medium
altitude moist semi-deciduous fore at a lower altitude in the south while the
remaining 23% is consists of grassland, swamps and some plantations with exotic
conifers. The forest is highly populated in the region, harbouring the greatest
variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa. With the
highest population of Chimpanzes in Africa other primates include bush babies,
baboons, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkey.
Primates
and terrific birds combined with easy access, good infrastructure and a variety
of interesting activities make Kibale forest a valuable and favourable
destination. Chimp tracking is also done in budongo forest through the
Kaniyo-pabidi section in Murchison park area and in Kyambura gorge in the Mweya
section of Queen Elizabeth national park.Ngamba Island is
another place for chimp tracking; located 23 km offshore from Entebbe It lies
on a total land area of 100 acres. The sanctuary provides refuge for 40
orphaned chimpanzees. The Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary is a project
which was started in 1997 by Born Free Foundation (UK), International
Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda),
The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of
New South Wales (Australia) and was officially
opened to visitors in October 1999. It provides a unique opportunity for a close range view of
chimpanzees in this habitant since their natural environment cannot easily be
restored. Chimps come closer for feeding a short distance to a raised walkway
specially designed for easy viewing and excellent photography.
Mountain
Gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park located in roggedkigezi
highlands of south-western part Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable forest is one of
the largest natural forests in East Africa,it covers about 321 sq.km at an
elevation of 1190-2607 meters above sea level, with medium altitude moist
evergreen forest andmontaneforest with pathce of bamboo. About half of the
world’s population of mountain gorillas arefound in Bwindi with eight
habituated familiesand 8 permits per day are available for each family. The
forest being impenetrable in nature and located in the rift valley areas has
steep slopes on hills and valleys which your will have to trek through as you
track mans closest mammal in the wild. The primate tracking activity is energy
demanding and is for those who are physically fit, though tracking may be a
challenging adventure, coming face to face with this spectacular human
relatives of the wild is an unforgettable experience one will ever have in life.
Primate tracking is also arranged by green world safaris to Rwanda’s Volcanoes
and D.R.C’s Virunga
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