The rare and endangered golden monkeys
Golden Monkey Tracking
About Golden Monkey Tracking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, part of the Virunga Volcanoes, is the only place in Uganda where travelers can track the rare and endangered golden monkeys. These playful primates, distinguished by their golden-orange fur, are found only in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains.
Golden monkey tracking involves trekking through lush bamboo zones at the base of the volcanoes, guided by expert rangers. You’ll observe the monkeys as they leap between trees, feed on bamboo shoots, and display their fascinating social behaviors.
Highlights of the Experience
- Encounter the endangered golden monkeys in their natural bamboo habitat.
- Guided nature walk with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
- Opportunity to spot other wildlife like forest elephants and bird species.
- Stunning views of the Virunga volcano ranges.
- Engaging photography opportunities with playful monkey troops.
Visitor Information
Best Time to Visit: June to September and December to February (dry seasons).
Duration: 3 – 4 hours, depending on the monkeys’ location.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some uphill and bamboo forest trekking.
Permit Required: Golden Monkey Tracking permits are required and can be booked in advance.
What to Bring: Hiking boots, rain jacket, long trousers, water, insect repellent, and a good camera.
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda
Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the four destinations currently known in the whole world to inhabit the rare and endangered golden monkeys, sometimes referred to as a distinctive race of the more widespread silver or blue monkey. These little-known, bamboo-associated, unique primates are listed as ‘endangered species’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This rare golden monkey is endemic to the Albertine Rift. The golden monkey is characterized by a bright orange-gold body, cheeks, and tail, contrasting with its black limbs, crown, and tail end.
Until a few years ago, this pretty monkey was common in Rwanda’s Gishwati Mukura Forest Reserve, most of which was chopped down by returned refugees in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, and unconfirmed sources indicate that a small population might occur further south in the same country’s Nyungwe Forest National Park. Fortunately, the golden monkey is the numerically dominant primate within this restricted range – a 2003 survey estimated a population of over 2000 golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park.
These primates are endangered and endemic to this region, sharing their home with the world-famous mountain gorilla, as well as buffalo, forest elephants, and other species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
Some of the destinations where you can see the golden monkeys include Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks, respectively.
Golden monkey permits
These permits can be booked on the ground from the park headquarters in the Ntebeko Visitor Center; however, electronic payments are allowed only. Tourists who wish to spend more quality time and understand the detailed information regarding the golden monkeys can visit this park for the engaging golden monkey habituation experience that costs between $100 and $200 per person.
What to pack
Just like gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking takes place in the forest, and clients have to ensure that they dress appropriately in order to have a successful trekking. Some of the essentials include a cap, a long-sleeved khaki quick-dry shirt, gloves, long quick-dry pants, long stockings, gaiters, hiking shoes with good grip, a backpack to carry drinking water, a camera, a rain jacket, spare batteries and SD cards, a packed lunch, and money for tips and shopping.
