Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Vs. Volcanoes National Park

Golden monkey trekking is a unique experience found in the Virunga region of both Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Although golden monkeys also live in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they are not available for trekking there. These fascinating monkeys are a subspecies of the Sykes monkey, also known as the blue monkey, scientifically named Cercopithecus mitis kandti. They typically live in large groups of up to 60 individuals on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains, which border Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

What Makes Golden Monkeys Special?

Golden monkeys are known for their striking golden-orange fur, which makes them one of the most beautiful monkey species. They mainly eat bamboo shoots, ripe fruits, and insects. These playful and curious animals often jump from tree to tree, making them quite challenging to photograph. Their main predator is the golden eagle. Like the mountain gorillas in the same region, golden monkeys are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is estimated that around 5,000 golden monkeys remain in the wild, mostly in the Virunga Mountain ranges of East and Central Africa. Their numbers have declined due to habitat loss from civil wars in the region. However, tourism has increased awareness of their conservation needs, leading to efforts to protect them in these national parks.

Golden Monkey Trekking Experience

Mgahinga National Park

In Mgahinga National Park, there are about six habituated troops of golden monkeys. Visitors usually have one hour for the trekking experience, while those participating in the golden monkey habituation experience spend about four hours with them. Finding the golden monkeys can be tricky because of their playful nature and quick movements, but the dedicated rangers will assist you in spotting them. You’ll have the chance to observe their behaviors alongside researchers, trackers, and guides from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Volcanoes National Park

In contrast, Volcanoes National Park has fewer habituated troops of golden monkeys. The largest troop lives around the slopes of Mount Sabinyo, consisting of over 100 individuals. This group is the most visited. Other groups of golden monkeys can be found in the Gishwati Forest Reserve within Volcanoes National Park. There are also some golden monkeys living in Nyungwe Forest National Park, located near the Rwanda-Congo border, but trekking is not organized there since these monkeys are not habituated and remain shy of humans.

Comparing the Two Parks

Both Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Parks offer similar golden monkey trekking experiences. Both countries have excellent security and well-organized tourism, making it difficult to favor one over the other. Trekking to see golden monkeys requires a good physical ability to hike for about 5 hours through the mountainous forests. The trekking usually starts with a briefing at the park headquarters around 7:30 AM, where park officials explain what to expect during your adventure.

What to Bring

To make your trek more enjoyable, carry a light backpack with personal belongings and snacks. If you have too much to carry, consider hiring a porter. After the briefing, you will head to the starting point for your trek. The trek may take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on where the monkeys are located and their movements.

Unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys do not leave behind tracks that can easily be followed. They are tracked by looking for fresh bamboo shoots, their main food source. Each day’s trekking experience can be different due to varying weather conditions and the monkeys’ behavior. Golden monkeys spend a lot of time swinging in the trees, which can make photography challenging. The best time to take photos is during light rain when they seek shelter. Once you find a troop, you will follow them as they jump from tree to tree. They have long tails that help them balance while navigating the bamboo trees. Habituated golden monkeys are quite friendly and may come close to visitors, allowing you to enjoy their playful antics for an hour.

Golden Monkey Trekking Permits

To participate in golden monkey trekking, you must obtain a trekking permit, which is valid for one day. This permit allows you to spend one hour with the golden monkeys. You can buy permits directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Rwanda Development Board, or through a tour operator (Iconic Africa Safaris).

In Uganda, a golden monkey trekking permit for Mgahinga National Park costs $60 for foreign non-residents, $50 for foreign residents, and UGX 40,000 for East African citizens. Please note that these fees do not include park entry fees or guide charges. For golden monkey habituation, the permits cost $100 for foreign residents, $80 for foreign non-residents, and UGX 100,000 for East African citizens.

In Rwanda, a golden monkey trekking permit costs $100 for all categories, including foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and East African citizens. This fee covers ranger and park fees.

Packing List for Golden Monkey Trekking

Whether you choose Mgahinga National Park or Volcanoes National Park, the packing list remains the same. You should bring:

• Suitable hiking boots
• A hat
• Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers
• A jacket or raincoat
• A camera
• A walking stick
• Insect repellent
• Packed lunch and water

Porters can be hired at the park area after the briefing to help carry your belongings.