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No question, Africa is home to some of the best primate safaris on the planet!
From mountain gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda to visiting the lemurs of Madagascar and tracking chimpanzees in East Africa, Africa is a paradise for unique experiences with our closest relatives.
So, if you're looking for the best primate safaris in Africa, here’s where you should go…
| The Best Primate Safaris in Africa |
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The world’s entire remaining population of mountain gorillas live in east-central Africa in just two isolated groups – one in the Virunga Volcanoes and one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
With nearly half of the world’s endangered population of these magnificent creatures calling Bwindi home, gorilla trekking here is considered one of the best primate safaris in Africa.
In fact, it’s got to be one of the best wildlife experiences on earth, a rare and exclusive safari adventure that dreams are made of!
Bwindi’s isolated location guarantees intimate and spellbinding primate encounters, far from the hustle and bustle of vehicle-dominated game drive destinations, and people travel across the world to this remote forest to get a glimpse of these beautiful creatures in the wild.
And, even better, gorillas are not the only primate you can hope to see here!
Indeed, this forest’s dense, tropical vegetation and hard-to-reach mountain location make it an ideal home for other primates too, including L'Hoest's monkeys as well as black-and-white colobus monkeys.
All in all, this definitely makes Bwindi one of the best African safaris for primate lovers.
The world’s only other group of mountain gorillas live in the Virunga mountains, a remote forested mountain range spanning Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The best place to see these mountain gorillas is Volcanoes National Park, making this another top location in Africa (and indeed the world!) for gorilla trekking.
This park is also special thanks to its historical significance as the research base of Dian Fossey - the legendary primatologist who dedicated her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas.
Dian is now buried here, next to her favourite gorilla.
But gorillas aren’t the only primates you can see during safaris in Volcanoes National Park.
The cool climate and high altitude of this reserve also make it an ideal habitat for spotting the rare and beautiful golden monkeys that live here too.
Kibale National Park is often referred to as the ‘primate capital of the world’ and when you visit, you’ll quickly see why!
With its lush, green landscape teeming with life, this dense, tropical rainforest is a haven for primates; in fact, it’s home to a total of 13 primate species, including blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, L'Hoest's monkeys and the rare Ugandan red colobus monkeys.
The park is also famous for hosting some of the best chimpanzee trekking safaris in Africa too - no wonder, when Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees!
Follow experienced guides as they help you encounter these fascinating creatures and witness, firsthand, the complex social dynamics of chimpanzee communities.
All in all, this Ugandan park is one of the best places on the continent for those seeking African safaris with a primate focus, offering unbeatable chances to get up close with our closest relatives in the wild.
As one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a real biodiversity hotspot, with dense forests stretching over miles of rolling hills, rivers and waterfalls.
The richness of its flora and fauna makes Nyungwe a dream destination for those who want to see a wide variety of primates in a truly incredible setting.
Chimpanzee and monkey trekking are the highlights here and the park is also home to large groups of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys, often seen in troops of up to 400 - an incredible sight to behold!
You’ll also have the chance to come face-to-face with L'Hoest's monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, blue monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys as you explore this forest.
In fact, like Kibale, this Rwandan park is home to a whopping 13 primate species, making it one of the best places for primate safaris in Africa.
But what’s really special about Nyungwe is its amazing canopy walkway.
Strolling high above the ground on a special trail, you’ll delight in the bird's eye view of the forest’s inhabitants this walkway offers, along with the chance to get face-to-face with those tree-swinging monkeys!
This experience makes Nyungwe one of the best African safaris for primate lovers.
Located on the shores of the stunning Lake Tanganyika, Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Africa’s most remote and pristine wilderness areas.
The park’s landscapes are a striking blend of tropical forests, bamboo groves and open woodlands, all framed by the backdrop of the Mahale Mountains and the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.
What an idyllic setting for a primate safari!
Mahale is particularly famous for its chimpanzee population, one of the largest in Africa, making it an unmissable destination for chimp trekking.
In fact, some people say this is the best place in the whole of Africa to see these incredible creatures!
The experience of watching these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat is something you’ll cherish forever.
And it isn’t just chimps you can see in Mahale.
Red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and yellow baboons also call this park home.
What makes Mahale truly special, however, is the combination of forest trekking and beach relaxation it boasts.
Yes, after a day spent tracking chimpanzees, you can then unwind on the sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika and enjoy water activities like snorkelling, kayaking and boat safaris.
And wonderfully, because the park is so remote you’ll find very few other tourists here, meaning you’ll feel like you’ve discovered your own hidden paradise!
This has to make Mahale one of the best African safaris for primate fans looking for an off-the-beaten-track wildlife adventure!
Did you know Madagascar is the only place in the world where lemurs live in the wild?
This ecologically unique island is home to up to over 100 species of this incredible primate, though sadly many of these are now critically endangered.
Different species of lemurs like to live in different types of habitats, and so many species only live in certain regions of the island, which vary from dense rainforests to drier woodland areas.
So if you’re keen to see lots of different types of lemur, you might want to consider visiting several safari parks across the island for your best chance.
As a starting point, we recommend Andasibe National Park as one of the top places to experience the island’s unique wildlife.
Here you’ll find some of Africa’s top lemur populations, meaning a high probability of sightings, and the park also hosts a number of easily accessible lemur walks for all ages and abilities.
One of the highlights here is the opportunity to enjoy a safari night walk, where you can spot nocturnal lemurs and other creatures that only emerge after dark - an experience that adds even more excitement to your primate safari!
While it’s true that many of the best primate safaris in Africa are found in East Africa, did you know there are also primates to be found in southern Africa?
While Kruger is best known for its Big 5 sightings, it’s also a fantastic destination for seeing primates in the wild.
Chacma baboons are perhaps the most commonly seen primates in Kruger, often spotted in large groups throughout the park, and vervet monkeys are also frequent visitors, especially around camps and water sources.
In addition, Kruger’s vast savannahs, woodlands and rivers create a diverse habitat for baboons, monkeys and bush babies that should not be missed!
A visit to Kruger offers the chance to combine a classic Big 5 safari with some fascinating primate encounters, easily making it one of the best African safaris for an amazing all-round wildlife experience.
For help planning your primate safaris, speak to one of our friendly team of Africa travel experts today.
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