African primates
African Primates gives information relevant to the conservation of nonhuman primates and their ecosystems in Africa. It facilitates the exchange of information and ideas among primatologists and conservationists working with primates in Africa. The primates of Africa are diverse and magnificent animals disappearing in the wild due to human activity.
Spotting African primates can be a highlight of any safari in Africa, providing hours of fascination with their mischievous and at times almost human like behavior as there is no trip to Africa can be complete without a visit to endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park, Mgahinga national park and Virunga national park.
List of African primates
African primates are a group of mammals that includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans and they are our closest relatives. There are 216 species of primates living in Africa today.
These African primates range in size from the smallest known prosimian to the largest apes found anywhere in the world. Of the 216 species of primates living in Africa, 164 of these are monkeys.
Bonobos in Central DR Congo
This is sub species of African primates that are our closest ancestors who shares 98.7% DNA of human and are only found in Congo basin, bonobos are proved to be among the peaceful apes where any grudge in the society can be amicably solved with single dose of sex , scientifically sex acts as a coolant to the calm down the situation and these guys have gone far to be wise in such way that females are the dominant leaders in the societies which means there will be endless peace in the ecosystem.
Bonobos are some of the world’s largest monkeys, found across sub-Saharan Africa. They generally prefer savanna and semi-arid habitats, though are occasionally found in tropical forests. All baboons have long, dog-like muzzles, powerful jaws with sharp canine teeth, thick fur, and rough spots on their protruding buttocks and are very intelligent.
The gestation period of bonobos is 240 days equivalent to 34 weeks/8month compared to 280 days which is 9 moths, this justify the remaining small difference in percentage between humans and Bonobos but all in the family of primates since they all have same features of primates such as , 5 comprehensive hands and feet, brain, shoulders, hips and bonobos can live up to 40 years.
Chimpanzees
This is another sub species of African primates that share the close DNA as humans, chimpanzees are graded as among the endangered species by, more credit efforts has been given to Jane goodall for her work towards saving the endangered primates in their wilderness, her institute at Gombe national park in Tanzania and Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary.
chimpanzees are spread in many places in Africa like , Kibale forest national park, Budongo forest part of Murchison falls national park, virunga national park kyambura gorge ,Mikeno sector part of virunga national park, Nyungwe forest national park. chimpanzees eat almost everything that humans eat, their life is entirely live on insects, fruits, ants and meat from black and white colobus monkeys which is their favorite meat next to tree fruits.
Chimpanzees can live up to 50 years, they have a highest level of socialization where the group is headed by the alpha male , the biggest group can reach up to 30 chimps, hunting is done jointly as group. Chimpanzee each maturity at age of 13 years, and only a single baby is born.
Jane goodall has made the life of chimpanzees common into the eyes of many primatologists, whoever traveled to Uganda can miss going on either normal chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest national park, the trekking ticket cost $150 while chimpanzee habituation experience cost $220
In nyungwe forest, chimpanzee trekking cost $90, a ticket is valid for a single entry and all activities begins in the morning at 8Am,it’s worthwhile to add primates trekking onto your bucket on top of the African big five game safari.
Gorillas
Gorillas are classified into 3 sub species these include the mountain gorillas, western Low land gorillas, cross river gorilla, these gorillas are spread across west Africa though Low land gorillas are found across Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon , it has been difficult to estimate the number of low land gorillas due to their habitat being dense and less accessible to gorilla doctors who normally carry out gorilla census.
They have been ranked among the endangered species by IUCN, this body calls every ones efforts towards saving the lives of the great apes, basing on the recent census there’s over 798 mountain gorillas left in the world and the major threats to mountain gorillas is attributed to human activities that has led to loss of habitats.
Classic gorilla trekking options
While going on gorilla trek, there several options that arise after the organizers realized the challenges that are associated with gorilla trekking. We offer a range of options for trekking the classic easy trek.
Short gorilla trekking
You can choose to go for the easiest trek, this is normally designed for elderly people, those with flights that same day and trekking can range between 1-2 hours and those with mobility issues, to join other trekkers in an easy group at times on special requests, we can arrange a private exclusive trek for you.
medium gorilla trekking
With this option, the difference is in the trekking distance and terrain where to get to find the gorillas. Gorillas are mostly sighted around 2400m-3400m as the case for trekking in volcanoes park.
The medium trek goes for about 3-4 hours to get to where the gorillas live or are but still after finding the gorillas, still you have to continue walking with gorillas until one hour, so some level of fitness may be required to cope up with the speed of gorillas.
Long gorilla trek
You’re all advised to note if you wish to join a trek that’s is long trek, means those who opt to go on such trek must be in perfect state to go hike across up trails and down trails and this is majorly for strong and young people who can walk for many hours in the jungle.