Tracking golden monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda – primates safaris – Book a trip to Uganda or Rwanda now.
Tracking golden monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda and Rwanda are recently some of the most popular destinations for golden monkey tracking in the world.
In the early years, this pretty monkey was common in Rwanda’s Gishwati Forest Reserve, most of which was chopped down by returned refugees in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. Because of this human factor, a big population of these beautiful primates left further to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southern part of the country.
In Uganda, these beautiful primates are most popular and dominant in Mgahinga gorilla national game park in southeastern Uganda on the border with Rwanda. Surveys conducted estimate that the population of golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park is between 3,000 to 4,000
Golden monkeys are an endangered species and are endemic to this region. They share these forests as safe homes with other beautiful creatures including, Mountain gorillas, forest elephants, and many other species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
Much as they share a home with mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla National game park, unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys are small, and quiet at times, especially in the presence of their main predator the eagles, they do not make nests and leave very little or no evidence of their presence on the floors of the forests they inhabit.
Tracking golden monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda.
Golden monkey trekking experience.
In Uganda Mgahinga gorilla national park, golden monkeys are getting more used to the presence of human beings in their habitat. Therefore, this allows guests to have an insight and a close encounter with these beautiful primates and observe their daily lives.
The monkeys dictate how the day is going to be, and no day is ever the same in the forest. It’s always hard to tell how the trekking day is going to turn out, and this is what makes golden monkey trekking a worthwhile experience and exciting one. the weather is the biggest challenge when trekking but at times can turn into a blessing in disguise. When trekking at times in search of the golden monkeys, you will encounter strong winds, extreme coldness, and sometimes heavy rains
Wind makes it conducive to tracking the golden monkeys they tend to stay quiet in the blowing wind to be able to hear and detect. When it rains, golden monkeys take shelter in tree canopies and at times do not move which gives you a very high chance to see them.
However, it’s important to note that, regardless of whether it’s raining or not golden monkey trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda can be done every day all through the year.
Tracking golden monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda.
The cost of Golden Monkey Tracking Permits
The golden monkey trekking permit in Uganda costs 50 us dollars per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, 40 us dollars per person per trek for foreign residents, and 20,000 Ugandan shillings for East African Residents per person per trek.
The cost of that permit includes entry to the golden monkey destination, fees to the park guide or ranger, and a full hour with the golden monkey after encountering them.
Preparing for golden monkey trekking.
Just like mountain gorilla trekking, the golden monkey tracking experience also starts with tourists’ arrival at Park headquarters as early as 7:30 am. Once the tourists are at the gate, they are briefed by a ranger guide on how the trekking experience will be conducted highlighting the dos and don’ts of golden monkey trekking. After the briefing is done, the trekking then starts with the leadership of the ranger guide into the forest.
Golden monkey trekking is not as tiresome as mountain gorilla trekking because Golden monkeys stay in lower areas than golden monkeys. At most, it can take visitors about three hours to trek and an extra hour to spend with the golden monkeys to observe their behavior and take pictures to share with loved ones back home. Unlike mountain gorilla trekking, with golden monkey trekking, there is no restriction on the number of people permitted to trek with golden monkeys but there is a restriction on age, and only those above 12 are permitted to go for the golden monkey trekking experience.
Tracking golden monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda.
What to carry during golden monkey trekking.
Like gorilla trekking even golden monkey trekking is dome withy in thick forests, therefore a visitor must be well prepared for this encounter. Some of the things that must be included in your tourist back include comfortable hiking shoes, long tours trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a hut, light walking sticks, skin repellants, a light backpack for lunch, packed lunch, and drinking water.
Contact us with any inquiries about tracking golden monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda.
