Primates of Kibale National Park : Kibale National Park is known as the primate capital of Africa, the richest eco system in Africa, or the primatologist’s dream, but one thing that stands out about it is the diversity and richness of primate species. The park has an area of 795 square kilometers, the majority of which is wooded. It is a 6-hour trip from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. If you are on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, visiting Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking or a primate tracking will be the highlight of your trip. Also, you can actually do chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park and combine it with gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali. Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done either in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Here are some fascinating information about Kibale National Park’s 13 primate species, which you may encounter when doing a primate walk.
Primates of Kibale National Park.
- Chimpanzees
Kibale national park in Uganda contains roughly 1000 chimps, with approximately 80 of them habituated. We share 98.7 percent of their DNA, which is reflected in the chimp’s laughing, embraces, and walking stance, which is similar to that of humans. Because of their capacity to use tools such as leaves as umbrellas, chimps have been recognized as the most intellectual animals. Their natural habitat is rain forests and woodland savanna, which explains why Kibale boasts a large population of chimps that you should not miss visiting.
- Red- Tailed Monkeys
The Red-Tailed monkey is also known as the spot-nosed monkey, the red-tailed guenon, or the black-cheeked-white-nosed monkey. The names are descriptive, but there is more to the red-tailed monkey than you can tell from its name. It possesses huge cheek pouches large enough to hold as much food as a stomach, which they utilize to deter other primates from stealing their food. They consume largely fruit, but they also eat leaves, roots, flowers, insects, and tree gum.
- L’Hoest Monkeys
The majority of their bodies are covered in short dark grey fur, with a prominent white beard and a saddle design on their back. L’Hoest Monkeys are the most terrestrial of all monkeys. They, like red-tailed monkeys, have enormous cheek pouches in which they keep the fruits, leaves, and shoots they have collected. L’Hoest Monkeys may be found in Kibale National Park’s deep underbrush since they love to reside in impenetrable forests.
- Black and White Colobus Monkeys
The term Colobus means “mutilated,” which describes the nearly non-existent thumb on all primates called Colobus. The Black and White Colobus Monkey is born with white fur and a pin face, but grows a complete black body with a white beard, back, and shoulders, hence the name Black and White Colobus Monkey. Kibale national park is the process of habituating these magnificent primates.
- Blue Monkeys
There are 20 different species of guenon monkeys, three of which are found in Uganda. Blue monkeys are among them. The name refers to its dark-blue-grey color. They have a white neck and a patch of white fur on their chest. They dwell in groups of 4 to 12 monkeys. Blue monkeys will be one of the primates on your primate checklist if you go on a primate walk in Kibale National Park.
- Vervet Monkeys
Greenish-olive and, alternatively, silver-grey will be the colors that confirm it is a Vervet Monkey. The ears, cheeks, paws, and tail tip, on the other hand, are all black. Because of the jungle, Kibale National Park is an ideal home for these monkeys. Vervet Monkeys love to stay, eat, and sleep in trees and seldom move, making the Kibale Forest an ideal environment for them. Grooming is a popular pastime for Vervet monkeys, as it is for other primates. They remove parasites from each other’s fur, with the dominant male Vervet monkey receiving the most grooming. They are quite a sight and should be seen while on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale National Park.
- Olive Baboons
They are Uganda’s sole baboon species, making them a must-see while visiting Kibale National Park. They reside in big numbers and may be seen from the road as you drive to the park. They have a terrible appearance because to their dog-like heads and large fearsome fangs. You are unlikely to miss catching a sight or photograph of them when visiting Kibale National Park.
- Grey Checked Mangabeys
The white-cheeked mangabey is another name for the grey-cheeked mangabey. It has the basic look of a hairy baboon with a mane around its neck. In Uganda, the mangabey may be hiked in two locations: Kibale National Park and Semuliki National Park. The grey-cheeked mangabey is now being habituated in order to improve the visitor experience with these wonderful monkeys.
- Demidoff Galago
Their more frequent term is “bush babies,” which refers to their screams and the fact that they are Africa’s tiniest primates. They have huge eyes that help with night vision, a keen sense of hearing, and long tails that help with balance. The Demidoff Galago, like other primates, lives and sleeps in small groups of ten. Because they are nocturnal monkeys, you are more likely to see them during a night primate walk.
- Uganda Red Colobus Monkey
They’ll be jumping from tree to tree, their tails aiding in balance. A Uganda Red Colobus monkey has a rust red helmet and a face that is somewhere between black and grey. They are Folivores, which means they eat mostly leaves and, when available, fruits and tiny invertebrates. The Uganda Red Colobus monkey population in Kibale National Park is the greatest in East Africa.
- Patas Monkey
Because of its red fur and soldier-like moustache, the Patas Monkey is sometimes known as a military Monkey. It is the fastest primate; capable of running at 35mph. Patas Monkeys are more likely to be found in locations with limited cover. In the case of danger, the Patas monkey may easily exploit its 35mph leverage to flee while it is out in the open. Unlike other monkey colonies, Patas monkeys are headed by females who guard the troop, while males reproduce and occasionally issue a warning in case of impending danger.
- Uganda Mangabey
Previously assumed to be a subspecies of the Grey-cheeked Mangabey, the Uganda Mangabey was recognized as a separate species limited to Uganda in 2007. It is similar to the Grey-cheeked mangabey, but smaller.
- The Potto
It is another little primate that may grow to be 14 inches long and weigh 1.8 to 3.5 pounds. It likes deep tropical rainforests, although it may be found in highland forests and along rivers as well. A new-born Potto is born white and creamy, but eventually becomes grey, reddish, or brown. The eyes of a Potto, like those of the Demidoff Galago, are big enough to enhance night vision. It is also an arboreal creature, spends the most of its time in trees. Its hands are built to provide it with a strong enough grip to hold a branch for an extended amount of time.
In summary, these are some of the primate species that you can sight during your primate tracking safari in Kibale national park in Uganda. You can combine chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park with a wildlife safari in Murchison Falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park or Kidepo Valley national park.