Golden Monkey Tracking

Experience the magic of staring into the eyes of Albertine Rift’s endemic primates all year round. Whether you are looking to do Golden monkey tours independently or combine them with gorilla trekking tours, we boast of many years’ experience in organizing unforgettable tours.

There are few adventures that are as magical in this World as tracking the frisky and adorable Golden monkeys in their natural habitat. These endangered primates are endemic to the lower slopes of Virunga Volcanoes (marked by Bamboo forest) within Virunga National Park of Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of south-western Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. While three places are known for offering them shelter, they are mainly tracked in Uganda’s and Rwanda’s Parks.

Captivating things you ought to know about the endangered Golden Monkeys

Golden monkeys are scientifically known as Cercopithecus mitis Kandti and belong to the Cercopithecidae family.

These beautiful primates are categorized as “endangered” in the IUCN Red List

They are species of Old World Monkey that occupy the magnificent Virunga Volcanic Mountains of East and Central Africa.

When it comes to their physical features, these creatures are characterized by beautiful golden-brown color and it is from this remarkable color that their name “golden monkey” was derived.

These primates are generally social and live in groups of up to 100 individuals, with frisky and swift movement in their natural habitat that is marked by bamboo forest.

A typical golden monkey menu encompasses bamboo leaves, bamboo shoots, fruits, bamboo branchlets, shrubs, flowers, and occasional invertebrates.

Their current World Population stands at 5000 individuals and their main threats are humans who poach, deal in illegal bushmeat sale, and are responsible for the loss of their natural habitats and diseases.

Golden Monkey tracking within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s golden monkey tracking tours are simply unforgettable with two habituated golden monkey troops that each comprises 80-100. Known as the place where “gold meets silvers (because both gorilla and golden monkey treks are offered), you can’t resist meeting face to face with them while in this Park.

Mgahinga is simply 13 square miles within the southwest of Uganda, with tracking adventures starting at 7:00 am with a briefing at Ntebeko Visitor Center in Ntebeko. This orientation is to take travelers through the dos and don’ts and expectations from the jungles. This is usually followed by the allocation of travelers into any of the two troops and the good thing about this activity is that the number of visitors is not limited.

The golden monkey tracking permits for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cost only $60 for the Foreign resident travelers as well as the non-resident visitors but the East African visitors pay only Shs. 40,000.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also offers a more elaborate experience that involves spending more time with semi-habituated golden monkey Troops and is only offered here. The more elaborate experience where travelers watch golden monkeys undergo habituation costs only $100 for the foreign non-resident and resident visitors while the East African residents pay Shs. 100,000.

When it comes to places of lodging before and after golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, choose from the luxurious Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Travellers Rest Hotel, Mount Muhabura Climbers Rest Camp, Amajambere Iwacu Camp, to mention but a few.

Golden Monkey Tracking within Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes are another amazing golden monkey tracking destination in the northwest of Rwanda and like the previous destination, two habituated Troops are found here with the larger one (comprising of over 100 individuals) being on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo. It is surprisingly the most visited and visitors get the chance to spend a magical one hour photographing and watching their funny antics while swiftly jumping among the bamboo forest or tumbling among the thick foliage on the forest floor.

Guided walks to see these endangered primates are one of the must-do activities in Volcanoes National Park and the permit cost only $100 for all visitors. Tours embark on Kinigi Park Headquarters at 8:00 am after the briefing. Before the tracking tour, travelers are transferred for 20-30 minutes to the various trailheads. They are even shorter than gorilla treks (1-3 hours) to the bamboo-dominating slopes of Virunga Volcanoes. Regardless of how enjoyable and exciting your time with golden monkeys is, one hour is the maximum time for observation as well as photography.

For the places where travelers can stay before and after golden monkey treks, the main ones are Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Bishop’s House, Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Hotel La Palme, Muhabura Hotel, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Best View Hotel, Villa Gorilla and One & Only Gorillas Nest, to mention but a few.

Regardless of the destination, the maximum age for golden monkey tracking is 12 years, and participants are required to have at least basic fitness levels for the activity because it also involves hiking although not as strenuous as gorilla trekking tours.

The Ultimate Packing List for a typical Golden Monkey tracking Tour

Your packing list for golden monkey tracking tours in Uganda and Rwanda should include sturdy hiking boots with ankle support, waterproof backpack, lightweight and breathable rain jacket, sunglasses, an environmentally friendly insect repellant, re-usable water bottle, lightweight and breathable safari pants, comfortable long-sleeved shirt, sunscreen, toiletries (mainly toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, deodorant, hair comb/brush, hand and body lotion), gardening gloves, wide brim safari hat, good camera, first aid kit, and many others.

Best time to go for Golden Monkey tracking in Uganda and Rwanda

The best time to go for golden monkey tracking in Uganda and Rwanda is the dry season-July to September and again December to February when forest hikes are least affected by rains thus are drier, less muddy, or even slippery. Much as trails become muddy and slippery in the wet months-March to May and October to November, discounts are offered by most accommodation facilities hence more affordable.