Best places for Golden Monkey tracking in East Africa
Top Destinations in East Africa for Trekking with Golden Monkeys
How to arrange a journey with the Golden Monkeys.
Katland Safaris can arrange for you to view these magnificent monkeys by obtaining the necessary permits from a travel agent. In order to arrange this activity, please provide us with the specific days you would like to undertake it, and our knowledgeable representative will assist you. If you’re planning a journey in Rwanda, you’ll need to shell out USD100.00 for the permit; if you’re in Uganda, the same trek will cost USD60.00 plus USD40.00 for park admission, for a total of USD90.00.
To enhance your experience, you may participate in a Golden monkey habituation experience in Uganda. This will give you the opportunity to spend at least four hours with the monkeys, all while being accompanied by a research team from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. With just four hours to catch them, these golden monkeys are still adjusting to human presence and are more evasive than usual. Not including perks, the Golden Monkey Habituation permit is one hundred dollars. For tour bookings, please contact us.
Getting ready to track golden monkeys.
Clients are transported to the starting site (the park headquarters) for the golden monkey tracking early in the morning. At 7:00 in the morning, there is a briefing, registration, and a rundown of the trek’s rules and regulations. The distance from their nesting site to your starting point on the walk determines how long the activity will take, which might be anything from two to several hours.
However, in order to complete the habituation experience, you must be at the headquarters no later than 6:00 in the morning before the journey begins. This will allow you to see their awakening and begin to accompany them for the following four hours.
What to Bring on a Golden Monkey Trekking Trip
Light Source—and Extra Batteries
Cleaning Cloths a Water Bottle Camera, Lenses, and Other Electronic Components
Socks and footwear that are suitable for walking and trekking
Gorilla tracking gardening gloves
Shoes for walking, sandals, and strops
Sunglasses, a Cap, and a Raincoat
Fleece sweater
Swimwear
Binoculars for viewing wildlife and birds
Mandalay & Volcanoes National Park: How to Get There
In the direction of Mgahinga National Park
Both air and vehicle travel provide easy access to Mgahinga National Park. It takes about eight to ten hours to get to the park from Kampala/Entebbe International Airport. On the way to Mbarara town, you may get a glimpse of the Hima people tending to their Ankole Long-horned cattle while you pause at the equator crossing for some photographs and breakfast. It is common practice to have lunch in Mbarara town before making the late afternoon or early evening journey to Mgahinga National Park.
Mgahinga may also be reached from Kigali, Rwanda. To reach Mgahinga National Park, one may take a flight into Kigali International Airport and then drive via the Chanika border. From Kigali International Airport, it takes around two to three hours to reach the Chanika border, and then another hour to reach Mgahinga National Park.
From Entebbe International Airport or Kajansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip, travelers may take either scheduled or charter flights to Mgahinga National Park. If you are interested in going or organizing a safari to Mgahinga National Park, Katland Safaris can arrange internal flights for you.
In the direction of Volcanoes National Park.
The park can be reached from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, via a two- to three-hour drive. On the route, you may stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Once you reach the park, the Katland Safaris staff will arrange for your lodging.
Another option is to cross the border into Katuna or Chanika in Uganda, depending on whether you’re in Kisoro or Kable.
Extracurricular pursuits.
Pursuit of gorillas.
If you’re interested in seeing gorillas up close, you can extend your tour to include a gorilla tracking safari at Volcanoes National Park for $1500 or Mahinga National Park for $800.00 per person per trek. The parks are known as “the only place where Gold meets Silver,” which means they’re the only locations where golden monkeys and gorillas coexist.
When you go gorilla tracking, you get an hour to spend with the primates, much as when you go monkey tracking. Because they are available on a first-come, first-served basis, you’ll need to reserve the permit ahead of time as well.
Please let us know the dates well in advance so that we can verify availability and make the necessary reservations for you. Additionally, gorilla tracking is possible in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park; however, permits for this activity are USD1,500.00 per person, each expedition, and must be reserved in advance.
Work history in the community.
Among the most well-known attractions in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park is the Iby’wachu cultural village, situated in the Musanze region close to Kinigi. This community project aims to improve the lives of those who would otherwise harm the park’s gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as the surrounding communities. The stroll gives you a glimpse into the social and economic aspects of daily life for native Rwandans.
In contrast to Rwanda’s renowned Iby’wachu culture, the Batwa people of Uganda (also known as the Pygmies) have a rich cultural history that began with the establishment of Mgahinga National Park. The Batwa people had to leave their home in the Bwindi forest when the park was designated as a national heritage site, and they had a difficult time adjusting to life outside of the forest.
This project was initiated to help them find alternative means of subsistence. They used to be hunters and gatherers of fruits. This is a great chance to get to know the Batwa people and their daily routines by meeting the elders and their family. The opportunity to participate in their rituals of passage, including dancing, food, and religious ceremonies. The community receives its services back from the activity via the charge.
Adventure Riding Safari
Hiking in the park gives you the chance to explore paths, which may lead you to other primates or teach you about botany; either way, you’ll be able to get the most of the experience if you have an open mind. During these three- to four-hour guided treks, participants may relax and take in the forest’s ambiance while also learning about the many plant and animal species they’re likely to encounter.
Adventures in Africa: Why You Should Go
Among the best travel operators in Uganda, Katland Safaris offers trips to every country in East Africa. We at Katland Safaris have been going strong in these areas for more than 15 years, and our reviews on SafariBookings and TripAdvisor speak for themselves.
