GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING IN RWANDA & UGANDA.
Golden Monkey Trekking activity can be done in Volcanoes national park Rwanda or in Mgahinga national park in Uganda side. Both Uganda and Rwanda offer an interesting tour experience to travelers wishing to do Golden monkey trekking Safari.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda.
The Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is one of the sought after activity that visitors draws attention too after gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park.
If you are interested in trekking golden monkey in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park in the virunga mountains is your ideal place to be. In Rwanda, Volcanoes national park is located in Musanze, northern province of Rwanda well known as Ruhengeri. It’s approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes drive from Kigali city and 1 hour drive as one come from Kisoro in Uganda.
Besides Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park, there are many different activities that can create a once in lifetime experience. Other amazing activities to do in Volcanoes national park include;
- Mountain Gorilla trekking
- Mount Bisoke Hiking tour
- Dian fossey Hike
- Karisimbi volcano climbing.
- Nature walk to lake Burera and Ruhondo.
During the walk to the twin lakes Ruhondo and Bulera, visitors interested in bird watching can spot so many bird species including, ibis, sunbirds, cattle egrets, weavers and many others. Volcanoes national park also is a home to other different animals including buffaloes, bush buck and over 178 bird species.
Golden Monkey trakking in Mgahinga National Park.
In Uganda golden monkey is offered in Mgahinga Gorilla National park of the Virunga mountains.
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda happen at Mgahinga Gorilla national park and is the second activity liked by many tourists after Gorilla trekking. Currently there are two habituated Golden monkey groups that are available for visiting by tourists in the park. These Golden monkeys live in the bamboo vegetation at the base of the volcanoes and they have overcome the shyness due to habituation and the daily visits by tourists and researchers.
Golden monkeys are endangered primate specie that live on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains which are shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. They are easily recognized by the Golden patches all over their bodies. The unique characters about Golden monkeys is that they have nostrils facing upwards where as, the other monkeys have their nostrils facing sideways.
How many golden monkeys in a group?
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park are divided into two troops, the largest group is located in Sabinyo having 80-100 monkeys and it’s the most visited by tourists. The other troop is in the other sides of Volcanoes and slightly small in number.
Golden monkeys sleep in nests that they weave from various bamboo plants. They feed on plants, leaves and fruits that are in the forest having their major food as bamboo shoots. Furthermore, these monkeys can adapt to different seasons and eat anything. They live in troops ranging of 30 – 80 and usually having one male showing dominance over the rest.
The lifespan of a golden monkey is around 20 years in the wild, the females give birth every two years and their gestation period lasts for only 5 months and they give birth to only one infant like human.
Travelers interested in Golden monkey trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, needs to book a trekking permit that allows them access to visit monkeys. Also visitors are allowed to spend only 1 hour with these amazing monkeys once they find them. The Golden monkey trekking permits are on affordable price by many travelers, the Golden monkey permit cost USD 100 each in both Rwanda and Uganda.
Where can i buy a Golden monkey trekking permit?
In Rwanda, (RDB) Rwanda Development Board is responsible for issuing golden trekking permits through irembo website while in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is responsible for all trekking permits in National parks. Golden monkey permits can be added on your tour itinerary as a day activity and through your trusted tour operator, you can have your permits booked and purchased in advance to ensure timely planning.
Given that golden monkeys do not reach higher altitude on the top of the volcano, tourists spare less time of hiking though it’s not specific about the total time to trek. It will probably take 3-4 hours to reach these golden monkeys and return back. This will also depend on their movement looking for food and strength of tour participants.
Briefing of tour participants and visitor registration plus allocation of groups are done at 07: 00 Am at Kinigi park offices for those trekking in Volcanoes national Park in Rwanda. Trekking begins from there by driving for 15 – 20 minutes if you are in Rwanda side. You can choose to hire a porter and support local community at a cost of $10 each, or if not interested, you go by yourself since they are not always far.
In Uganda Golden monkey tracking starts by briefing at Ntebbeko Visitor centre in Mgahinga gorilla national park at exactly 8:00 Am. Porters can be hired at the park office on a cost of 20 USD for each porter and hiking sticks can also be provided free of charge at the trekking start point.
What to carry on a golden monkey trek in Uganda & Rwanda.
If you are planning to go for a Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, these are some things that you need to get prepared of, so as to enjoy the trekking experience;
- No flash photography since it scares monkeys.
- Carry Snacks and water to drink during the hike.
- Carry your rain gear/ Jacket or Poncho because weather is unpredictable.
- Wear good hiking shoes that do not slide plus a hat to shield from sunshine.
- Carry your insect repellent to avoid and chase away insect bites.
- Wear your mask
Book and enjoy your Golden monkey trekking experience in the virunga mountains of Uganda and Rwanda with experts.
