Golden Monkey Habituation Experience in Mgahinga

The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a unique opportunity to learn about and observe golden monkeys in their natural habitat. Located in the Kisoro District of southwestern Uganda, this experience lasts for about four hours. It begins early in the morning with a briefing on the rules and guidelines for trekking.

After the briefing, you will join a team that includes researchers, park guides, and rangers. Together, you will trek into the jungle, following trails marked by bamboo shoots and leaves. The trek can take between two to five hours, depending on where the golden monkeys are located. These active primates like to move around, so the duration varies.

During your trek, you may also see other primate species. Once you find the golden monkeys, you will spend four hours observing them. This is a great chance to learn about their behavior, watch them climb trees, and see them engage in daily activities such as feeding, playing, and caring for their young. You are encouraged to take photos and videos to share your experience with friends and family.

The golden monkey habituation experience is an active adventure where these wild monkeys are gradually trained to get used to human presence. It’s important to note that this unique experience can only be enjoyed in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is the smallest national park in Uganda. The park is located in the southwestern region, bordering Virunga National Park in Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Cost of Golden Monkey Habituation Permits

To participate in the golden monkey habituation experience, visitors aged 15 years and older must obtain a golden monkey habituation permit. This permit allows you to spend time with a habituated golden monkey family in their natural setting. The costs for these permits are as follows:

• Foreign non-residents: 100 USD per person
• Foreign residents: 80 USD per person
• East African citizens: 100,000 UGX per person

How to Book Golden Monkey Habituation Permits

Booking a golden monkey habituation permit is easy. You can contact a trusted tour operator, such as Iconic Africa Safaris, to help you with the process. Here’s how it works:

Contact the Tour Operator: Reach out to us with your desired date for the trek.

Check Availability: The operator will check if permits are available for your preferred dates.

Make a Deposit: If permits are available, you will be asked to make a deposit.

Purchase Confirmation: After payment, the tour operator will buy the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.

Best Time for the Golden Monkey Habituation Experience

You can participate in the golden monkey habituation experience all year round. However, the best time to go is during the dry season, which lasts from June to September and December to February. During these months, rainfall is lower, which means the vegetation is less dense, allowing for better visibility of the golden monkeys. The trails will also be dry and easier to navigate.

In contrast, the rainy season can make the trekking trails muddy and slippery, making the experience more challenging.

What to Pack for the Experience

When preparing for your golden monkey habituation experience, it’s essential to pack the right items to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trek. Here are some recommended items:

• Hiking shoes: Sturdy footwear is crucial for navigating the trails.
• Insect repellent: To protect against insect bites.
• Long-sleeved shirt and trousers: These will help protect your skin from scratches and insects.
• Energy snacks and drinking water: To keep your energy up during the trek.
• Waterproof rain jacket: For unexpected rain.
• Warm sweater: The weather can be cool, especially in the morning.
• Walking stick: Helpful for stability on uneven terrain.
• Camera and extra batteries: To capture the experience.
• Backpack: To carry your items.
• Face mask: Required for safety during interactions.

Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and can be reached by road or air.

By Road

You can drive from Kampala through several towns: Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and then to Kisoro, which takes about 9 to 10 hours.

By Air

For quicker access, you can book a scheduled or charter flight with Aerolink Uganda or Bar Aviation from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip. From there, you can drive to the park headquarters.

From Rwanda

If you’re coming from Rwanda, you can fly into Kigali International Airport and then travel to the park headquarters via the Cyanika or Katuna border, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.

Combining Activities

The golden monkey habituation experience can be combined with other activities such as gorilla trekking, Batwa cultural tours, guided nature walks, mountain climbing, and bird watching. For more information about the golden monkey habituation experience and affordable safari packages in Uganda, you can contact Iconic Africa Safaris.