Monkeys are widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa. Almost every Sub-Saharan African country has monkeys in its natural forest. However, there are certain places where you can be able to easily see these monkeys than others.
The Best Places to See Monkeys in Africa
Diani Forest, Kenya
Located along one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world, Diani Forest is home to Vervet, Black and White Columbus, and Sykes monkeys.
Not far off Mombasa, a tourist port city that is second largest in Kenya, you can actually combine your beach safari with monkey business while lazily strolling along the beach against the cool sunny breeze.
The Black and White Columbus [1], one of the endangered species in Africa, gladly show off its fine fur as it graciously maneuvers the mangrove trees along the coastal stretch – a common encounter while visiting this magnificent tourist destination.
Kibale National Park, Uganda
Kibale National Park [2], Uganda, rests within the expansive Central African monkey belt that stretches from western Uganda via northern Rwanda into the north-eastern DRC. Within this belt rests the world’s largest population of mountain gorillas.
Kibale National Park is unique in the sense that is one of the few remaining tropical forests in East Africa. This also endows it with unique species of animals. Among these species includes a variety of monkeys, such as the Red Columbus, black and white Columbus, chimpanzees, and golden monkey, among others.
The most tourist attraction to this National Park is the mountain gorilla monkey. While in Uganda there are other monkey species which you can find in other national parks.
These include a red-tailed monkey and blue monkey in Queen Elizabeth National Park [3]; golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park [4]; grey-cheeked mangabey in Semliki Wildlife Reserve; Patas monkey in Murchison Falls National Park [5], among many others.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Located in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park [6] is home to the largest number of the endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. It is a prime spot in the gorilla tourist circuit in the East and Central Africa.
Other notable monkeys within this Park include the golden monkeys. Virunga Conservation Area is an expansive area covering three East and Central African countries – Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC.
Among other notable Parks within this area are the world famous Virunga National Park in the DRC and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania
Located in north-western Tanzania, Mahale Mountains National Park rests within the Virunga Conservation Area. Together with its sister Park – the Gombe National Park, they are home to Africa’s last remain species of wild chimpanzees.
Apart from wild chimpanzees, Mahale Mountains National Park [7] is also home to red colobus, Angola colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys.
There is an elaborate monkey trekking safari, where, with guided experts, you can walk on foot as you track a variety of monkeys within the dense, wild bushes of Africa. You can also take a boat ride or a jeep ride depending on the specific site that you would want to visit.
