The Great Primate Handshake – Volunteer in Africa, working to conserve monkeys and apes through film and educational content production

Yesterday night we found out that some spaces had become available for the chimp trekking in Kibale Forest. Five very excited Handshakers set off before dawn this morning for a 3 hour hike through the rainforest in hopes of seeing chimpanzees in the wild.

Julia Lloyd And The Handshakers

After working hard all morning, we headed off in the newly repaired Nox to go and meet Julia Lloyd, a primatologist currently carrying out research in Kibale Forest. She spoke to us about her research and her views on getting the community involved in conservation. She is very much a member of the local community herself and the local Ugandans accept her as such.

After leaving Julia, we headed to KAFRED to see the wetlands. The swamp is rich in biodiversity as it is connected to the forest at either end and houses over 200 species of bird and 8 different types of monkey. We were separated into two groups and set off in the late afternoon sun. As soon as we entered the wetlands we were shaded by tall rust-coloured trees, huge palm leaves arching across the path, fields of papyrus like giant green dandelion clocks, vines dotted with small purple flowers and tangles of leafy ferns, . We caught a glimpse of a red-tailed monkey, ensconced in the web of trees crowded around a swampy pool at the side of the path. When we reached the main part of the swamp, the air was tinted with the rich, musty scent of decaying leaves. We walked carefully along a slightly rickety boardwalk that covered the molasses-like ground where water-boatmen rowed leisurely back and forth.

We emerged from the swamp to find ourselves in a forested area surrounded by grey-cheeked mangabeys – small, dark monkeys that leapt between the trees with effortless grace. When we met up with the other group they’d also seen a red-tailed monkey but had been thrilled to find themselves in the midst of a group of striking black and white colobus monkeys.

Black And White Colobus Monkeys

As we ate our supper this evening, sheets of flame-coloured lightning illuminated the clouds in the distance. Steve warned us we may be in for a storm.