Primates of Kibale National Park

Primates of Kibale National Park

Primates of Kibale National Park are a record 13, all in one lush forested area located in the western region of Uganda. Kibale National Park is renowned to be the primate capital of Africa not just for show; Kibale National Park has a rich biodiversity and a great abundance of primate species hovering, loitering and making all kinds of sounds in the forest, perfectly blending with the sweet melodies of the birds in Kibale National Park.

Kibale National Park is one of the top Uganda destinations, and one of the best primate destinations not only in Uganda but Africa as a whole. Below are the 13 primates of Kibale National Park that travellers can encounter on various activities like chimpanzee tracking, primate walks, nature walks, among other activities in Kibale National Park.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are the top 13 primates of Kibale National Park that travellers can encounter while in the park. There are over 1000 chimpanzees recorded in Kibale National Park, with about only 80 of them having been fully habituated for travellers to encounter on a chimpanzee tracking experience.

Chimpanzees are near humans, sharing about 98% DNA with humans, and are known to be very intelligent given their characters say using leaves for umbrellas during a rain pour.

Uganda Mangabey

The Uganda Mangabey was first thought to be a Grey-cheeked mangabey until in 2007 when it was recognised as an endemic species only found in Uganda. The Uganda Mangabey is relatively similar to the Grey-cheeked Mangabey but for it is only smaller.

Red-tailed Monkeys

Red-tailed Monkeys are sometimes referred to as spot-nosed monkeys, red-tailed guenon or even black-cheeked-white-nosed monkey. The most outstanding feature of red-tailed monkeys is the large cheek pouches, large enough to store as much food as a stomach would. This they do to protect their food from being stolen by other primates of Kibale National Park.

Black and White Colobus Monkeys

The Black and White Colobus Monkeys are an abundant primate species in Kibale National Park. The term colobus simply translates to mutilated, which is a perfect description of the almost inexistent thumb on all the primates in the world referred to as colobus.

The Black and White Colobus monkeys have features like a full black body and white beard as well as white back and shoulders.

Vervet Monkeys

Vervet Monkeys are greenish and olive like, as well as silver-greyish in colour, with their ears, face, tip of the tail and feet black in colour. Vervet monkeys do have dominants who do get the most privileges say grooming by other vervet monkeys.

L’Hoest’s Monkeys

L’Hoest’s monkeys have bodies covered in short dark grey fur and a white beard. L’Hoest’s monkeys do also have large cheek pouches in which they store food which usually includes fruits, shoots and leaves. L’Hoest’s monkeys are abundantly found in Kibale National Park, in the thick underbrush.

Olive Baboons

Olive baboons are the only kind of baboons that are in the country, mostly found in Kibale National Park in large numbers. Olive baboons can be spotted from the time you are driving towards the park, and mostly inside the park where they live in large groups.

Blue Monkeys

Blue monkeys are a type of guenon monkeys found in Kibale National Park. Blue monkeys have a dark-blue-grey colour, with a white throat and a distinct patch of white fur on the chest. Blue monkeys do live in troops of about 4-12. Blue monkeys are a common sight in Kibale National Park.

Grey-Cheeked Mangabey

Sometimes referred to as the white-cheeked mangabey, grey-cheeked mangabey look like baboons only that they are more hairy and have a mane around its neck. The grey-cheeked mangabey can only be found in Kibale National Park and Semuliki National Park of Uganda; and are currently undergoing habituation to allow more human interaction with them once encountered.

Red Colobus Monkey

The red colobus monkeys are rust-red in appearance with a face between black and grey in colour. Red colobus monkeys are a common sight in Kibale National Park, and can usually be seen jumping from one tree to another with the help of their balance.

Patas Monkey

A patas monkey is sometimes referred to as a military monkey due to its red fur and soldier-like moustache. A patas monkey is a very fast primate, capable of running up to 35 meters per hour. Patas monkeys live in troops, which are headed by female patas monkeys. The male patas monkeys instead do take their time to tend to breeding and also sound alarms in case of danger.

Potto

A potto is a small primate found in Kibale National Park, with a height of 14 inches and a weight ranging from 1.8-3.5 pounds. Pottos are born white and creamy but grow into grey, reddish or brown colour. Pottos are as well nocturnal, given that their eyes are large enough to see in the dark.

Demidoff Galago

Demidoff Galago is commonly known as the bush babies. Demidoff galagos are the smallest primates in Africa, but have large eyes that can have them see clearly even in the night or dark, and have long tails. Demidoff galagos are nocturnal and to see them, you just have to consider taking a night primate walk in Kibale National Park.

Primates of Kibale National Park can be encountered on a primate tracking experience in the park, done in the guidance of rangers and guides knowledgeable about the park and all its inhabitants. Interested in primate tracking in Kibale National Park, or specifically chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, book yourself a Uganda primate safari and have memorable experiences to behold.