The Vervet Monkey

The Vervet Monkey

Physical Characteristics
The different types of vervets vary in color, but generally the body is a greenish-olive or silvery-gray. The face, ears, hands, feet and tip of the tail are black, but a conspicuous white band on the forehead blends in with the short whiskers. The males are slightly larger than the females and easily recognized by their turquoise blue scrota.

The vervet is classified as a medium-sized to large monkey-males weigh up to 17 pounds. Its tail is usually held up, with the tip curving downward. Its arms and legs are approximately the same length.

Habitat
In East Africa these monkeys can live in mountain areas up to about 13,000 feet, but they do not inhabit rain forests or deserts. Their preferred habitat is acacia woodland along streams, rivers and lakes. They are diurnal, sleeping and eating in trees from which they seldom venture.

Behavior
Complex but stable social groups (also called troops) of 10 to 50 individuals mainly consist of adult females and their immature offspring. Males move freely in and out of these groups. Within the troop, each adult female is the center of a small family network. Females who have reached puberty generally stay in the troop.

Grooming is important in a monkey's life. Vervets (as well as most other primates) spend several hours a day removing parasites, dirt or other material from one another's fur. In the primates' hierarchy, dominant individuals get the most grooming. The hierarchical system also controls feeding, mating, fighting, friendships and even survival.

Diet
Leaves and young shoots are most important in the diet, but bark, flowers, fruit, bulbs, roots and grass seeds are also consumed. The mainly vegetarian diet is supplemented with insects, grubs, eggs, baby birds and sometimes rodents and hares. Vervets rarely drink water.

5 Day Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Hit the road in the morning following the foot hills of the mystical Rwenzori
Mountain Ranges to Queen Elizabeth National park. Dinner and overnight at:

Luxury: Mweya safari lodge; www.mweyalodge.com,

Mid-Range: Enganzi Lodge: www.enganzilodge.com

Budget: Simba safari camp: www.ugandalodges.com/simba


Day 2: Game Drive and Wild Chimps trek
After a cup of tea/coffee, go for a dawn game drive to catch up with the early risers and predator returning to their conceal outs. Expect an adventurous encounter with Lions, hyenas, herds of elephants, buffaloes, jackals, bush pigs, bush bucks and many more.
After lunch, go for a Boat cruise along the kazinga channel famous for the highest concentration of Hippos, crocodiles, Buffalos and Elephants along the shores.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge on Day 1.

 


Day 3: Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions Tour, Transfer to Bwindi forest
Have breakfast and go for an exclusive game drive as you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will go through the Ishasha sector (home of tree climbing lions) to reach Bwindi in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at:
Accommodation
Luxury:
Gorilla forest camp: http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/
Midrange:
Buhooma Community Haven Lodge: http://www.buhomacommunity.com/

Budget:
Buhooma Community Rest Camp: www.buhomacommunity.com/



Day 4: Gorilla Tracking Excursion
Have breakfast and assemble at the park headquarters for briefing before penetrating the impenetrable bwindi forest in search for gorillas. Time taken searching for the Giant humble apes ranges between 2-9 hours depending on their movement and the group you are trekking. Dinner and overnight as above on day 3


Day 5: Travel back to Kampala
Early in the morning after breakfast we shall leave for Kampala and have enroute stop at the Equator for photographs to act as souvenirs reaching Kampala in early afternoon fort your flight back to Kampala.



Per person sharing
2 people
4 people
6 people
Luxury
$2,220
$1,930
$1,820
Mid-range
$1,950
$1,767
$1,650
Budget
$1,825
$1,575
$1,460

Included in the price:
  • Ground transport in a private 4WD safari vehicle including an experienced English speaking driver/guide
  • Accommodation as described in the itinerary, based on a double room sharing
  • Meals as described in the itinerary
  • Entrance and ranger fees for the national parks
  • Activities mentioned in the program
  • Gorilla permit
Exclusions:
  • International flight
  • Visa
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Items of personal nature
  • Laundry service
  • Tips

 
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Platinum Tours and Travel Ltd is a credible and professional safari and travel company offering the best holiday adventures in Uganda and the whole world

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