Golden monkeys are small, rare primates found in the Virunga region of East and Central Africa. As a subspecies of the blue monkey, they are playful and easily recognized by their golden-orange coats.
These monkeys live at high altitudes in the Virunga region, especially in bamboo forests, where they leap from branch to branch. To see golden monkeys, visitors can join either trekking or habituation experiences.
These two activities require you to have booked a golden monkey trekking permit or a habituation permit. You are supposed to use a reliable or licensed tour operator to acquire the permit.
As we consider the best places to track golden monkeys in East Africa, the activity is done in three countries, which include Uganda and Rwanda.
Golden Monkey tracking in Uganda
Uganda is an interesting destination for a number of primate activities, where some of these primate activities include gorilla trekking, one of the most famous ,gorilla habituation , chimpanzee trekking ,chimpanzee habituation , golden monkey trekking, and golden monkey habituation. Golden monkey trekking in Uganda is carried out in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in the south-western Uganda in the Virunga region. It is the smallest national park that is on the border of Uganda , Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This park hosts the three Virunga ranges that include Muhavura , sabyinyo, and Gahinga. In this park , the golden monkeys share the habitat with the gorillas; thus, the park is tagged as ‘’ where silver meets gold’’
Golden monkeys in this park live in groups called troops, which are led by a dominant alhapa male, and their main diet is bamboo shoots, leaves , seasonal fruits , small invertebrates, lichens ,sprouts ,and flowers.
Tracked golden monkeys are first habituated for them to get used to the human presence. This habituation process takes about 2 years for the golden monkeys to get used to the human presence.
This habituation is done by a group of researchers and ranger guides. To see these golden monkeys , you are supposed to have acquired a golden monkey trekking permit.
The cost of the golden monkey trekking permit in Uganda includes 60 USD for foreign non-residents, 50 USD for foreign residents , and 50000 UGX for East African residents.
To also encounter the golden monkeys in Uganda , you are also supposed to engage in the golden monkey habituation . The cost of the golden monkey trekking permit costs about 100 USD for foreign non-residents, 80 USD for foreign residents , and 100000 UGX for the East African residents .
Where to stay during the golden trekking safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
On where to stay during the golden monkey trekking safari in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park , this is one of the popular questions and around this park , there are several accommodation facilities that range from budget to Luxury. Some of these facilities include: Travelers Rest Hotel, Mount Gahinga Hotel,Mucha Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, Kisoro Tourist Hotel,Mgahinga Rest Camp, and many others.
Golden Monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park is popularly known for gorilla trekking. But also, the park offers the golden monkey trekking experience. Unlike the gorilla trekking with age restrictions, golden monkey trekking has no age restrictions.
This activity starts early morning at around 07:30 hours with the briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi about the dos and don’ts of the activity. Trekking the golden monkeys takes less time compared to gorilla trekking.
Tracking the golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park requires you to have acquired the golden monkey trekking permit. The cost of the golden monkey trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park includes 100USD for foreign non-residents, 65 USD for foreign residents , and 65 USD for East African citizens.
Where to stay during a golden monkey safari in the Volcanoes National Park ?
Volcanoes National Park is dotted with several accommodation facilities that you can choose to stay in, and some of these facilities include La Bamboo Gorilla Lodge, Davinic Gorilla Lodge,Bisate Lodge, Sambora Kinigi , Bisate Lodge, One & Only Gorilla Nest Lodge,Virunga Lodge, and many others.
What other activities can be combined with the Golden Monkey trekking safari ?
As you plan a golden trekking safari , there are other activities that can be combined, and they include ;
Gorilla trekking
This is one of the primary primate activities that is usually combined with the golden monkey trekking safari. It takes you through the encounter of the large and powerful primates that share about a DNA of 98% with humans.
Gorilla trekking starts with the orientation at the park headquarters, where you are briefed on the dos and don’ts about the activity. The activity takes about 2 to 7 hours of the day upon where you meet the gorillas.
Upon finding the gorillas ,you will have one hour viewing them at a distance of 6 to 7 meters . Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park , and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park .
To see gorillas in these parks , you are supposed to have acquired a gorilla trekking permit which is a legal document that is issued by the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority.