Frequently asked questions about golden monkey habituation experience in Mgahinga
One of the most well-known primate activities in Mgahinga National Park is golden monkey trekking. Although the mountain gorillas, or Nyakagezi gorilla trekking family, are the park’s most famous inhabitants, Mgahinga National Park is also home to an amazing number of other primates.
With a total area of roughly 33.7 square kilometers of mountainous and forested territory, this park may be the smallest of all Uganda’s national parks. A biosphere serves as one of the refuges for those who survived the dry conditions of the ice age period that may have struck Africa between 13,000 and 18,000 years ago.
Golden Monkey Trekking: What Is It?
A Uganda safari experience that involves tracking habituated golden monkeys in the wild is called “golden monkey trekking.” The bodily structure of golden monkeys is larger than that of regular monkeys. The lower body is covered in golden brown hairs. They reside in groups that are governed by an alpha male. They live in a few woodland locations, such as Mgahinga National Park, and are among the endangered primates in the world.
You should be on your toes when you find golden monkeys since, despite their acclimatization to human presence, their cheeky attitude doesn’t entirely go away. These primates are quite amusing and appear to be familiar with most aspects of the jungle.
To be permitted to do this trek, you must reserve a Golden Monkey Trekking Permit.
Where Can I Get Mgahinga National Park Golden Monkey Trekking Permit?
The majority of activities in Uganda National Park, including trekking for golden monkeys, are governed and controlled by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
What Time of Year Is Best for Golden Monkeys Trekking Safari Reservations?
Although golden monkey trekking is available year-round, the dry season, when the jungle is less humid, is the most popular time of year. All other things being equal, the monkeys are even more active during the dry seasons, which are June through September and December through January.
Those on a tight budget who want to trek golden monkeys can also benefit from the low season because they may be able to receive better deals from various service providers, such as lodging and driver guides.
How much does it cost to trek in Mgahinga National Park with Golden Monkeys?
Golden Monkey Permits currently cost $100 per person. The ranger guide costs, security fees, conservation fees, an hour with the golden monkeys, support from the local community, and other expenses are included in this price. Tipping, drinking water, park fees, porter fees, and many other things are not included.
The Golden Monkey Trekking Safari Package to Mgahinga National Park: How Much Does It Cost?
Luxury, midrange, and budget packages are available for the golden monkey safaris; nevertheless, the golden monkey trekking permit is required for all of these packages. When calculating the price of the Golden Monkeys Safari package, other things to take into account are
When to make a reservation for Golden Monkey Safari
Prices are typically higher during the busiest time of year, particularly for services like lodging, car rentals, driver guides, and others. Because low-season prices can occasionally be lower, there may be opportunities to use upscale services on a tight budget.
The number of guests scheduled for the Golden Monkey Trek Safari
Because you share expenses for things like car rental, gas, and other things, the more people that book on a Golden Monkeys Safari, the lower the cost per person. You are responsible for the full cost of the package if you are traveling alone on the Golden Monkeys Treks.
The duration of the Golden Monkeys Trek in days
The cost of the Golden Monkeys trip increases with the number of days you spend on the adventure. This is due to the fact that service providers impose daily fees in addition to the total cost of the safari.
Additional Activities in Addition to the Golden Monkeys Trek
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, birdwatching, game drives, launch expeditions, and other activities are added to golden monkey trekking. Because each activity has a separate cost and is located in a different location, the more expensive the safari package.
How Many People Are Permitted to Trek Golden Monkeys?
A group of no more than eight individuals is permitted to trek the golden monkeys. In order to protect the forest, you should avoid trampling on the foliage, which is home to mountain gorillas, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked monkeys, and other forest inhabitants.
How Combative Do Golden Monkeys Get?
As long as you go by the guidelines provided during the golden monkey trekking briefing, such as not upsetting the mountain gorillas and maintaining an 8-meter distance from the golden monkeys when you find them in case they are on the ground, among other things.
Despite being accustomed to human presence, they remain wild animals in their natural state.
How challenging is it to trek with golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park?
Because Mgahinga National Park is situated on the southern flank of three notable volcanoes—Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura, and Mountain Sabyinyo—its topography is volcanic with several highlands.
It would be advantageous to be somewhat fit before to embarking on the Golden Monkeys Trek. Additionally, you should bring the appropriate clothing, such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, safari boots, and insect repellent. In the bush, these can shield you from biting nettles.
Is Trekking with Golden Monkeys Safe?
Trekking with Golden Monkeys is safe since ranger guides are there to keep you safe from potential dangers.
Additionally, you need to be cautious about your safety and avoid entering the forest without a ranger guide accompanying you.
To avoid becoming lost in the woods, stay close to the group you have been assigned to.
Make sure that whatever money you own is hidden from prying eyes.
How Can I Travel to Mgahinga National Park to Trek Golden Monkeys?
Although Mgahinga National Park is located in Uganda’s southwest, it is accessible.
By Road
Kisoro to Kabale to Kampala
This drive covers a distance of roughly 540 kilometers in 8 to 9 hours. Because the location is so mountainous, you may encounter winding roads for almost 80 kilometers from Kabale to Kisoro. The primary entrance to Mgahinga National Park, the Ntebeko gate, is located roughly 14 kilometers south of Kisoro town.
By Air
Kisoro Airstrip is served by daily scheduled domestic flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi, though these are occasionally taken based on demand. From Kisoro Airport to your lodge, you will need to rent a shuttle vehicle. Flight plans are typically disrupted by the weather in this area, particularly when it becomes extremely foggy.
It is also possible to organize for a charter flight, but this needs to be done far in advance of the trip in order to obtain the required approvals.
Other Activities for Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda
Trekking with gorillas
Although mountain gorillas can be found in Mgahinga National Park, just one gorilla family is currently accessible to tourists. The Nyakagezi gorilla family used to wander into Rwanda, which made them untrustworthy in the past.
There is nothing stopping mountain gorillas from roaming freely in the jungle since they are unable to comprehend political borders. Three of the five volcanic mountains in Volcanoes National Park are located on the southern flank of Mgahinga National Park. Among them are the mountains Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority currently charges $800 per person for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300000 shs for East African citizens to obtain a gorilla permit for Mgahinga National Park.
In Mgahinga National Park, mountaineering
Climbing one of the three volcanoes that comprise Mgahinga National Park’s terrain is an excursion option. Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhabura, and Mountain Sabyinyo are some of these mountains.
Because some forest inhabitants may not be accustomed to human presence, you must hike with a ranger guide. You need someone you can rely on to lead you the entire route and provide accurate explanations of each characteristic or untamed animal.
The return hike to these mountains takes eight hours.
Mgahinga National Park birdwatching
With more than 115 bird species, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. You pass through a variety of environments, including the Montane forest, on the gorge trail, which circles halfway to Mountain Sabyinyo. Some indigenous species of the Albertine Rift are also found in the forest. Those who have attended a birding tour in this park report that the number of bird species is still growing, despite the fact that few ornithologists have been there.
Among the birds you might spot are the Handsome Francolin, Malachite Sunbird, Kivu Ground Thrush, Alpine Chat, and White-tailed Blue Flycatcher.
Drives for Games
There are numerous wildlife parks in Uganda where you may take drives and see a variety of wild creatures. Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park are a few Ugandan wildlife parks where golden monkey trekking can be combined.
Lions, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, waterbucks, bushbucks, statungas, cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, oribi, wild cats, Uganda Kobs, impalas, hartebeests, and others are among the animals you might be able to observe.
During the game drive, you might see those that are common to practically all parks, even though they might not be located in the same game park.
The Uganda Wildlife Education Center
Entebbe Airport is only a few meters from the old Entebbe Zoo. At the moment, the wild animals are housed in exhibitions that replicate their natural habitat. This is where the majority of Uganda’s wild animals may be found in its national parks.
With several signposts to direct you, you can wander through the center with a guide or on your own. Lions, cheetahs, rhinos, cape buffaloes, bushbucks, waterbucks, and other animals are among the fauna you might encounter.
Trekking chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are among the many primates found in Uganda. These dwell in groups led by alpha males, but throughout the day they divide into groups for better eating areas.
Chimpanzees inhabit a variety of woods, including Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, and Kibale National Park.
To take part in this primate safari in Uganda, you need to buy a chimpanzee trekking permit.
See the Nile River’s Source
The only source of the River Nile, located near Jinja, is Uganda. Sail to the point where the water from Lake Victoria gradually splits from the River Nile. At this point, there is a mystery drama as the water from Lake Victoria peacefully leaves while the water from the River Nile travels with some energy. You can’t help but wonder what might be going on underneath when you see this.
When Can You Find the Golden Monkeys?
Golden monkeys are among the endangered primate species, although it’s unclear when they’ll be found due to things like
The closeness of their food
The majority of their diet consists of foliage, which includes soft stems, leaves, fruits, and other materials. They might travel quickly if their food is far away, but they might be easy to walk if it is nearby.
In the Event of a Forest Fight
Golden monkeys may fight with one another for a variety of causes, and they may even fight with other monkey species. In the event that they lose a battle, this might lead them to retreat far into the forest.
Typical Weather
The golden monkeys fear the socked ground, so if it gets too wet, they hide in the trees where you might branch. These monkeys are highly active in the forest during the dry seasons. They hop from one branch of the tree to another.
Because of the frequent rains, even the path to observe the golden monkeys is slick and wet, but only a small amount of sunlight can enter. Trekking with golden monkeys is difficult because of these difficulties.
The Trekkers’ Physical Fitness
Even though the route is made up of uneven terrain due to volcanic activity in the area, if you are physically fit, you may hike to see the golden monkeys more quickly.
Because of the length of time it has been there, the forest is also made up of dense vegetation cover. The ridges and plateaus are covered in a variety of creepers.
