Golden monkey trekking is one the most thrilling primate adventures and it involves active participation to have it completed. Golden monkey trekking entirely involves on-foot walk/trek through the bamboo dominated forest in search for a habituated troop of golden monkeys.
Where to go to trek golden monkeys in Uganda
Successful golden monkey trekking experiences in Uganda are only possible while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Park lies with the Virunga Massifs, a region where most of the golden monkeys reside.
Mgahinga is situated in Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda and is the country’s only destination where golden monkey treks can be enjoyed. About 3000-4000 golden monkeys still exist on earth and these creatures are unique with black, grey and shining orange-gold color.
They spend most of their time in the bamboo forest and entirely, they are endemic to the Albertine rift valley.
What is golden monkey trekking in Uganda like?
Golden monkey tracking/trekking adventure in Uganda begins with you traveling up to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. On actual golden monkey trek, you will be briefed about your adventure, guidelines to be followed and the park guides are allocated to lead you throughout the entire trekking session in the jungles.
The actual golden monkey trekking adventure begins at Ntebeko area where you can meet the park officials. By around 8:00am, your guide will lead you through the forest in search for a habituated troop of golden monkeys taking the Gahinga trail. A troop of golden monkeys is led by a mature alpha male golden monkey and a single troop can comprise of 100 members. As you search for golden monkeys, expect to come across some other species.
During your 1 hour with a troop of golden monkeys, the park guide will explain to you the different behaviors, body gestures displayed by these amazing primates. When taking pictures, ensure that you position yourself well in order to capture the best pictures and be aware that these creatures do not station themselves in one place. You will notice that they keep jumping from tree to tree and requires you to be keen enough.
How long is a golden monkey trekking in Uganda
A normal golden monkey trek can go for about 2-5 hours and on locating a troop of golden monkeys, your park guide will let you spend a maximum of an hour. During the one hour, you will observe a troop of golden monkeys closely, explore how they behave, take pictures and it is after this when you can begin walking back to the briefing point or direct to your accommodation option.
Golden monkey trekking permits
Golden monkey permits are essential when it comes to all golden monkey tracking tours in Uganda. A single golden monkey permit in Uganda costs USD 60 per person and visitors who may opt for golden monkey habituation experience, permits are available for booking at USD 100 per person. Obtaining your golden monkey permit is easier through the local tour operator. Permits and the entire trip should be booked early before the actual date of visiting Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
What to pack for your golden monkey trekking in Uganda
The essentials for golden monkeys trekking in Uganda include an insect repellent, valid golden monkey permit, waterproof hiking boots, safari hat, long-sleeved shirt, daypack, first aid kit, a good camera free of flashlight, extra batteries for your camera, a rain jacket, a pack of snacks, bottled water, and others.
When to visit Mgahinga for golden monkey tracking
Treks to see golden monkeys can be done at any time of the year. But excellent weather conditions are usually experienced around the dry months of the year making them the most preferred period for visitors to enjoy the best of Uganda golden monkey trekking.
Each year, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where golden monkeys live experiences the dry season around June, July, August, September and December, January to February. These months of the year are characterized by low or no rains and the forest floor remains relatively drier making it easier to navigate through the park in search for a habituated troop of golden monkeys.
Mgahinga National Park being an all year round golden monkey tracking destination, it is possible to get there to explore more about golden monkeys even during the wet or rainy/off months of the year. This is from March, April, May or October to November.
Where to stay in or around Mgahinga National Park
Some of the available accommodation choices to consider for overnight stay in or around Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include Mucha Hotel, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Kisoro Tourist, and Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro, etc.
How to get to Mgahinga Park
By road –You require about 8-9 hours to drive from Entebbe city or Kampala capital to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Kisoro. A journey to Mgahinga involves driving via Masaka city, Mbarara and en-route, you have a chance to make a stopover at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe and also lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre or in one of the best hotels in Mbarara city.
By air- Set off from Entebbe airport or Kajansi airfield to Kisoro airfield. At Kisoro airfield, drive in a 4WD to Mgahinga National Park to check in your pre-booked lodge.
Where else to find golden monkeys
Besides Uganda, golden monkeys also live in the Virunga National Park in the D.R. Congo and Volcanoes National Park. Virunga Park is situated in Eastern D. R. Congo and spans up to 7800sq.km within the Virunga Massifs/Conservation Area. It is also home to the rare mountain gorillas and several bird species.
Volcanoes National Park is one must-visit in Africa when it comes to golden monkey treks. The park is found in Northwestern Rwanda and is within the Virunga region. To reach Volcanoes National Park, you will spend only 2-3 hours driving on Rwandan road to Ruhengeri. There are some habituated golden monkeys to be visited in Volcanoes Park Ruhengeri.
