Facts about Golden Monkeys

The Golden Monkey is one of 20 primate species found in the Virunga Mountains. It gets its name from its unique golden coloring. The Golden Monkey’s tail is a bright golden-orange color, as are its cheeks and some parts of its back and body. This golden color stands out against its black legs and head, creating a beautiful contrast.

This species is part of the Old World monkey family and is found only in the Virunga Mountains, located in Central Africa. In Uganda, you can only see the Golden Monkey in Mgahinga National Park, which is in the southwestern part of the country, near the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Previously, the Golden Monkey was thought to be a subspecies of the Blue Monkey, as they are closely related and look very similar.

Habits and Behavior

Golden Monkeys are social animals that live in groups of 30 to 80 individuals. These groups are led by an alpha male, and their size can change depending on the elevation they live in. Groups that live at higher elevations tend to be smaller. Female monkeys stay with the group all the time, helping to defend the group’s territory, while male monkeys usually stay for a short time before leaving.

Golden Monkeys are active during the day (diurnal) and live mostly in trees (arboreal). They like to sleep at the tops of bamboo plants, gathering in small groups of about four individuals when resting. These monkeys are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. They feed on bamboo leaves, small branches, shoots, fruits, flowers, and shrubs. Sometimes, they also eat insects, such as the pupae of butterfly larvae found on leaves.

Since bamboo is their main food source, Golden Monkeys build their sleeping areas close to bamboo plants. They also use bamboo to make small homes or “beds” by weaving several bamboo plants together. Unlike mountain gorillas, which build new nests every night, Golden Monkeys return to their bamboo beds each night after foraging during the day.

Golden Monkeys use visual signals and different vocal sounds to communicate. Males often make sounds during confrontations or when protecting their territory. Females use a wide range of calls to keep the group together and warn others about possible dangers. Younger monkeys sometimes join in group defense behaviors, making specific sounds, while others use vocalizations to show submission.

How to See Golden Monkeys in Uganda

If you want to see Golden Monkeys in Uganda, you can visit Mgahinga National Park, which is the only place in the country where they live. Mgahinga is part of Uganda’s side of the Virunga Mountains and is located at the very southwestern tip of Uganda, close to the borders of Rwanda and DRC.

To reach Mgahinga, you will need to travel about 500 kilometers from Kampala to Kisoro town on a tarmacked road. From Kisoro, it is about 11 kilometers to the park’s visitor center at Kanyanchu. There are several accommodation options in Kisoro to suit different types of travelers.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) manages Mgahinga National Park and has several groups of Golden Monkeys that are used to humans and can be visited by tourists. These monkeys don’t get as much attention as the park’s mountain gorillas, so the golden monkey trekking experience is less crowded. You can join a daily morning trek to see these charming little primates.

To go on a Golden Monkey trek, foreigners need to pay USD 60, foreign residents pay USD 50, and Ugandan citizens pay UGX 40,000 for a trekking permit. This permit does not include the park entrance fees, which are USD 40 for foreigners, USD 30 for foreign residents, and UGX 20,000 for Ugandan citizens. The permit covers the guided trek with a park ranger and conservation fees and allows you to spend one hour with a group of Golden Monkeys.

For those who want a longer experience, Mgahinga offers the Golden Monkey Habituation Experience. This allows visitors to spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated troop of Golden Monkeys. The cost for this experience is USD 100 for foreigners and UGX 100,000 for East African Community (EAC) citizens.

You can buy a Golden Monkey trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority office or through a licensed tour operator like Iconic Africa Safaris, which can also help you plan your entire trip, including transport and accommodation.

Best Time to Trek Golden Monkeys in Uganda

Golden Monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park is available all year round. However, the best time to go is during the dry season, which is also the peak tourist season. This season runs from June to September and December to February. During these months, there is little to no rain in the park, making trekking easier and more enjoyable.

In contrast, the rainy season, which occurs from March to May and October to November, can make trekking more difficult due to muddy and slippery paths. However, visiting during the rainy season does come with some advantages, such as fewer tourists and a more peaceful trekking experience.