The red colobus monkey and Kibale's primates
Kibale National Park has 13 primate species. That number is for the whole park. No single walk shows all of them. The chimpanzee is the star of most visits, and our chimpanzee guide covers it separately. Here we look at the other primates.
The red colobus monkey is one of the primates to look for. Sightings of any species depend on the day, so ask your guide what is around and keep your expectations flexible.
Red colobus monkey: what to know
The species and how it fits into the forest.
Name and range
The Ugandan red colobus, also called ashy red colobus, is Piliocolobus tephrosceles. It lives in western Uganda and western Tanzania, so Uganda is not its only home.
Conservation status
The species is Endangered according to the IUCN, based on an assessment from 2019. Stay with your guide and keep your distance from any animals you meet.
Where you meet it
Red colobus are among the daytime primates of the park, together with the black-and-white colobus, L'Hoest's monkey and the grey-cheeked mangabey. Ask your guide which of them are around on your day.
Our pick: a day in the forest
A guided forest walk with wildlife watching, on a day that also includes tracking.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kibale tours with primate walks
Guided Kibale trips with chimpanzee treks and forest walks, with live prices and availability. Check which walks each trip includes before you book.
L'Hoest's monkey and the other primates
L'Hoest's monkey is another daytime primate in the park. Black-and-white colobus, also known as guereza, live alongside it, and the grey-cheeked mangabey completes the daytime primates you may meet on walks.
Both Uganda mangabey and grey-cheeked mangabey are used for the mangabey of the park, so do not count them as two different species. The red-tailed monkey lives in the Bigodi wetland, so look for it on a walk there. Do not assume you will see it inside the park.
At night the forest has other residents. Bushbabies and the potto live in the park. A night nature walk has its own fee, and the start time depends on the current schedule, so ask at the visitor centre. Night walks are not the same as a night game drive.
Primates of Kibale at a glance
Where each primate fits into a visit.
| Primate | Active | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimpanzee | Day | Kibale forest, trek from Kanyanchu | Max 1 hour with the group |
| Red colobus | Day | Kibale forest | Endangered, assessment 2019 |
| Black-and-white colobus | Day | Kibale forest | Also called guereza |
| L'Hoest's monkey | Day | Kibale forest | Lives in the park |
| Grey-cheeked mangabey | Day | Kibale forest | Also called Uganda mangabey |
| Red-tailed monkey | Day | Bigodi wetland | Lives in the wetland |
| Bushbabies and potto | Night | Kibale forest | Ask for the current night walk schedule |
For most visitors, a chimpanzee trek in the morning and the Bigodi wetland walk the next day cover a good range of primates and birds without repeating the same forest.
Fees for nature walks in 2026
Base tariff for 2026. Check the current amount before you book.
Day nature walk and birding
$40 for foreign non-residents, $30 for foreign residents and UGX 30,000 for East African citizens. The park entry fee is extra.
Night nature walk
$50 for foreign non-residents, $30 for foreign residents and UGX 20,000 for East African citizens. The park entry fee is extra.
Park entry
$40 for adults who are foreign non-residents, valid for 24 hours. Chimpanzee trekking includes entry and a guide, a walk does not.
Children
Park entry for children aged 5 to 15 is $20 for foreign non-residents, and children under 5 enter free. A short nature walk for children costs $5 or UGX 10,000. It is an activity of its own and does not allow chimpanzee trekking.
Birds
About 370 bird species are recorded in the park. Birding uses the day nature walk fee above.
More to explore near Kibale
Pair the primates with these pages.
Kibale primates: frequently asked questions
How many primates live in Kibale?
Kibale has 13 primate species. No single walk shows all of them.
Where can I see the red colobus monkey?
The red colobus is among the daytime primates of the park. Ask your guide on a trek or walk, and remember that a sighting cannot be promised.
Are the Uganda mangabey and the grey-cheeked mangabey different?
Both names are in use for the mangabeys of the park. Do not count them as two species when you tick off a list.
Can I see primates at night?
A night nature walk is a separate activity with its own fee. Bushbabies and the potto live in the park. Ask at the visitor centre for the current start time.
How many bird species are there in Kibale?
About 370 bird species are recorded in the park. Birding uses the day nature walk fee.