Where to See Primates in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Where to See Primates in Queen Elizabeth National Park: The park is one of the leading primate destinations in Uganda with unique primate species particularly chimpanzees and other wildlife species. The valley of apes, riverine and tropical forests inhabit most of these primates particularly chimpanzees, and other species.  The riverine forests along the park’s water way commonly known as Kazinga channel, Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo Forest reserve, are all unique habitats for several primate species. Kyambura Gorge draws the greatest number of visitors due to availability of chimpanzees that enhance chimpanzee trekking. This forested area spans about 156 sq. Km with over 9 primates that are not habituated except chimpanzees. However, during chimpanzee trekking and nature walk activities, most of these primate species can easily be seen.

The park was gazetted in 1952 formerly as Kazinga National Park and later the name was changed to Queen Elizabeth National Park in honour of the Queen’s visit to the park. The park is located in western Uganda spans about 1978 Sq. Km covering districts of Kasese, Rubrizi, Kamwenge and Rukungiri respectively. The primate habitats in the park include Kyambura Gorge commonly known as “the valley of apes”, vicinity of Kazinga Channel and the dense Maramagambo Forest Reserve. Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are the only habituated primates that have been trained to acclimatise with human presence. However, chimpanzee trekking its an exhilarating experience for visitors that allows them spend ample time with their close cousins in their natural habitats.

Places to See Primates in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura Gorge which earned its name as “the valley of apes”, is one of the popular chimpanzee sites in Uganda, located in the eastern part of the park, a famous chimpanzee trekking destination which was formed as a result of erosion from the famous Kyambura River and eventually forming a dense forest that is home to 9 unique primate species including over 20 chimpanzees and other parimates such as red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and olive baboons among others.

This site has over 60% chances of spotting chimpanzees during the trekking exercise, where experienced guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority spear head the search leading visitors through the dense forest for unforgettable experience. The activity is conducted by only visitors with chimpanzee trekking permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority. This chimpanzee trekking activity in Kyambura Gorge is frequently combined to safaris that involve several park activities such as game drives, boat cruise, nature walks, community experience and many others.

Other places

Apart from the famous Kyambura Gorge chimp trekking site, the park has other

The primates in Queen Elizabeth national park

There are 10 primate species that have been recorded in Queen Elizabeth national park and these include endangered chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabeys, blue monkeys, l’hoests monkeys, bush babies, mona monkeys, dent’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons among others.

Primate trekking in Queen Elizabeth national park

Over 10 primates are found in Queen Elizabeth national park but it’s the chimpanzees that have been habituated simply because they are loved since they share 98% human DNA with human beings. The trekking activity is only done in Kyambura gorge where a few chimpanzees have been habituated and are used to human presence around them.

The chimpanzee trekking starts with a briefing in the morning and evening where trekkers not exceeding 8 people are taught about the rules and regulations of the trekking activities. The armed ranger guides lead trekkers into the valley where they start searching for where the chimpanzees could be. The activity takes 1-4 hours and trekkers are able to meet different park primates, mammals, and birds.

When the chimpanzees are spotted, the armed ranger guides do give trekkers 1 hour to be around the apes and this helps them to learn about the chimpanzee habits, take photos and watch them do daily activities such as nesting, coupling, hunting, breastfeeding, and grooming among others.

Apart from primate trekking, primates of Queen Elizabeth national park can be seen on a boat cruise on Kazinga channel. The Kazinga channel is surrounded by riverine vegetation which is home to some of these primates but not chimpanzees. As you enjoy your 2-3 hour activity you will be able to see as many primates as you can in the swamps around the water channel.

Primates of Queen Elizabeth national park can again be seen during the game drive activities but you won’t see each and every primate that lives in the park. The nature walks can also give tourists opportunities to see a number of primates especially if they are done in forest areas or swampy areas. These are places where primates love to be because of the plenty food that is always there.

Best time to see primates of Queen Elizabeth national park

Travelers can see primates of Queen Elizabeth national park any time of the year they visit the park however there are periods that are better than the rest. The dry season is the best time to visit the park and encounter these primates most especially in Kyambura gorge. There is little or no rainfall leaving the trekking trails dry, vegetation is short with good views of the animals and the roads leading to the park are passable.

Travelers can still go chimpanzee trekking and see other primates on Kyambura gorge in the rainy season and this favors budget travelers because lodges are at a discount. During the rainy season, there is plenty of rainfall which makes the trails muddy and slippery, vegetation is tall and thin with unclear views of the animals and the roads leading to the park are impassable.

Accessing Queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth national park is found in western Uganda and it’s accessed by road transport or air transport. The national park is accessed in 1 hour and15 minutes using air transport from airline companies such as Aerolink Uganda, and Bar Aviation Uganda which organize flights to the park. Flights start from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Mweya airstrip or Kasese airstrip.

Travelers that are okay with long distances and those that can’t afford flights can access Queen Elizabeth national park in 7-8 hours from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi to Kasese or Kampala via Mubende, Kyenjonjo, Fort Portal, to Kasese. The national park is located near national parks like Kibale, Bwindi, and Rwenzori, and accessing it is always simple.