Three African nations share the volcanoes massif national parks, which are home to the uncommon and distinctive golden monkeys. For instance, the volcanoes national park in Rwanda, the Virunga national park, and the Mgahinga gorilla national park in southwest Uganda.
A subspecies of the “Blue Monkey” is the golden monkey. On the lower slopes of the mountains in the Virunga rangers, they are found in big regiments of roughly 60 individuals. They are some of the most attractive and adorable monkey species in Africa, distinguished from other monkey species by the golden-orange patches on their fur coats. They typically eat the stems and branches of bamboo, though they will occasionally search the ground for ripe fruit and insects.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has identified golden monkeys as an endangered species, and just 5000 of them are thought to be living in the Virunga mountain ranges. The Virunga region’s civil wars resulted in a reduction of their habitat. Locals have in the past harassed them because they occasionally leave parks to raid gardens for fresh potatoes. Tourists are attracted to golden monkeys due to their rarity and small population, which raises awareness of the significance of their conservation worldwide.
Golden monkeys are gregarious, inquisitive, and playful animals. They make photographing challenging since they frequently leap from tree to tree. The eagle is their major enemy and bothers them by frequently circling low to the ground.
Where to find Golden Monkeys
Golden monkeys are found in the Virunga Mountains of Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park, however, Mgahinga National Park and Volcanoes National Park are the most active locations. In order to experience the exhilarating adventure of these distinctive endangered species in the aforementioned locations, tourists can book a safari with exploreugandatours.com.
Mgahinga National Park in Uganda
The greatest location to find golden monkeys is probably in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park. The park provides visitors with a four-hour golden monkey habituation experience that gives them more time to watch and comprehend the monkeys’ lifestyles while working with foreign researchers, seasoned trackers, and guides.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, golden monkeys can be spotted in Kahuzi-Biega and the Virunga National Park in the country’s eastern region. For a number of reasons, including stability, golden monkey trekking is currently not completely accessible to tourists in Congo.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Two habituated golden monkeys are reportedly present in the volcanoes national park. Around 100 people make up the largest and most popular group, which resides on the Mount Sabyinyo slopes. Wonderful trekking experiences are available at Volcanoes National Park to view golden monkeys. Both the Nyungwe Forest National Park and the Gishwati National Park include smaller populations of golden monkeys. However, since the visitors to these parks are not accustomed, tracking is not arranged for them.
Mountain gorilla trekking is the most well-known activity in Volcanoes National Park, so if you’re going there to see gorillas, stay an extra day and spend about an hour with the gorgeous golden monkey species.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park
Due to their better organization and security, Uganda and Rwanda are the finest places to track golden monkeys. When tracking golden monkeys, there are no restrictions on age or quantity. Starting at around 7:30 am, a briefing is held at the park headquarters to begin the process of tracking golden monkeys. You could want to engage a porter to assist with excess luggage While it takes little time and resources to track golden monkeys than gorilla trekking
Since they are smaller than mountain gorillas, they are non-traceable which leaves a definite trail of where they were the day before. Trackers find them by keeping an eye out for recently harvested bamboo shoots. Every day is unique when tracking golden monkeys because of the environment and troop dynamics. Although flash photography is permitted, unlike mountain gorillas, it can be challenging to capture these monkeys in shots due to their continual mobility on trees.
Since they are frequently moving, hopping in trees with their tails, you will frequently have to chase the monkeys as soon as you’ve located them. The long tails aid in balancing but can become tangled and severed in bamboo trees, which is why some group members have short tails. Golden monkeys that have been accustomed to people are not overly timid and might even approach closely out of interest and travelers are permitted to see golden monkeys for only one hour the same applies to mountain gorillas.
Golden monkey permits
To track golden monkeys, a tourist needs to obtain a golden monkey permit. Uganda Wildlife Authority issues the permits in Mgahinga national park while those for Rwanda are obtained through the Rwanda Development Board. Travelers can also purchase the permits indirectly however, the cost of permits to track golden monkeys is subject to fluctuation.
Unlike gorilla permits, which must be reserved in advance, golden monkey permits are not required. Instead, they might be obtained on the day of tracking. A tracking permit for golden monkeys in Rwanda costs $100 USD per person. The Volcanoes National Park ranger and entrance costs are included.
In Uganda, golden monkey permits are purchased at the Ntebeko Centre, which serves as the park’s administrative hub. The permit costs US$50 per person for tourists from outside the country, US$40 for foreign residents, and US$20,000 for East African nationals
When you purchase a permit from a tour operator, they’ll also help you plan the complete golden monkey trekking safari to any of your top sites and they’ll give you advice on how to tailor the safari with additional experiences that will make your trip truly memorable. Please get in touch with explore Uganda tours to arrange for you amazing golden monkey trekking tours in Uganda as well as other adventurous Uganda safari activities that may be added to your tailored Uganda safari.
However, gorilla trekking dominates the field of golden monkey tracking and that’s why in most cases tourists combine golden monkeys with gorilla trekking. In other words, visitors may choose to take a climb to Mt. Bisoke, Mt. Sabinyo, or Mt. Karisimbi though it is such a strenuous task that requires excellent physical fitness to complete.
Packing List for golden monkey trekking
Similar to gorilla trekking, you should bring the following items when going for golden monkeys: appropriate hiking boots, long pants, a rain jacket, a cap, a long-sleeved shirt, and gloves. A porter to help with additional luggage and negotiate the slick landscape, a packed lunch and water, a camera, a walking stick for support, and an insect repellent to prevent bites while in the trees.
