Monkeys’ hands are always busy, jumping from one tree branch to another in groups as they search for food. There are many monkey species in Kibale National Park, and some of them include red-tailed monkeys, which are scientifically known as Cercopithecus ascanius.
They are named after their coppery red tails, which are almost twice as long as their bodies, helping them keep balance. They have large cheeks that can expand, allowing them to store food in their mouths for safety.
Even though their body fur is dark or grey, you can still see their white nose and cheeks clearly.
Monkeys mostly eat fruits, but they also feed on leaves, flowers, and insects, especially when fruits are not available. Like chimpanzees, these monkeys live in groups of about 7 to 30 individuals.
Each group has a dominant male, females, and young ones.
There are also blue monkeys in Kibale, also known as diademed monkeys. They belong to the old world monkey family and are native to Central and East Africa. At first glance, they may look blue, but they are not.
They are called blue monkeys because their hairless faces may appear bluish. In other parts, their fur may be olive or grey, with their faces being dark or pale and a yellowish patch on their foreheads.
Male blue monkeys weigh about 8 kg, while females weigh around 4 kg. They are very social and live in groups with more females than males. When male monkeys grow up, they leave their group, and many are seen living alone.
Blue monkeys mostly eat fruits, seeds, leaves, fungi, and flowers, and are rarely seen on the ground.
To truly immerse yourself in Uganda’s diverse wildlife and cultural experiences over an extended period, consider our comprehensive 15-Day Uganda Safari.
L’Hoest’s monkeys add more interest to Kibale. They mostly eat plants like fruits, mushrooms, roots, herbs, and leaves. However, if food is hard to find, they may also eat eggs, lizards, or small birds.
Unlike other monkey species that live in large groups, L’Hoest’s monkeys live in small groups mainly made up of females and one male. You can sometimes see them along the Kanyanchu chimp trek. Records show that males weigh about 6 kg, while females weigh around 4 kg.
Other monkey species in the park include vervet monkeys, which are easy to recognize by their black faces surrounded by a fringe of hair. You can also see colobus monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys, among others.
A monkey tour is a dream come true for monkey lovers. Please don’t miss visiting Kibale National Park.
Visit Kibale National Park in Uganda with these recommended Uganda chimpanzee companies or inquire with us below to book your tour directly through this website.
