How to Combine Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda offers exciting primate experiences, including golden monkey and gorilla trekking. This itinerary takes you through Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for golden monkey sightings and then to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking. Both parks lie in the country’s southwest, offering lush forests, dramatic volcanoes, and rich culture. Mgahinga hosts golden monkeys and a gorilla family, while Bwindi is home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorillas. This guide shows how to plan both experiences. It includes permit details, travel options, suggested accommodations, best times to go, and other useful travel tips.
Start in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Begin your adventure in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located near Kisoro in southwestern Uganda. You may either take a flight or drive from Entebbe to Kisoro. A morning flight gives you enough time to explore nearby attractions. Once in Kisoro, join a walking guide and take a scenic walk through local villages and terraced gardens. Stop at Lake Mutanda, a peaceful lake surrounded by hills and volcanoes. This slow-paced walk helps you adjust to the altitude and terrain before the treks.
Stay at Gahinga Lodge, which lies near the park entrance. It offers stunning views and easy access to the trekking point.
Golden Monkey Trekking Experience
Wake up early and prepare for your golden monkey trekking adventure. Have breakfast and then walk or drive 10 minutes to the Ntebeko Visitor Center. This is the headquarters of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The briefing begins at 7:30 am, so arrive by 7:00 am.
The park guide will explain the rules and trekking procedures. You’ll then join the lead tracker and two armed rangers to begin the trek at 8:00 am. The trail leads through bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Golden monkeys live in this zone, often moving in large groups.
The trek may last about two hours, depending on where the monkeys were last seen. Once you locate them, you’ll get one full hour to watch and photograph them. These monkeys are fast, playful, and curious. Some may swing above you, while others peek from behind bamboo stalks. Listen to your guide and follow their instructions to avoid disturbing the monkeys.
Return to Gahinga Lodge for a warm meal and relaxation. Enjoy the evening by the fireplace or take a short cultural walk around the Batwa community.
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In the late afternoon or evening, leave Mgahinga and head toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive between the two parks takes about two hours, depending on road conditions. This journey gives you a glimpse into the changing landscape, from volcanic slopes to thick tropical forests.
Spend the night at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, located near the Nkuringo trailhead. The lodge sits on a forested ridge and offers clear views of the Virunga Mountains. The peaceful setting prepares you for the challenging trek ahead.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Rise early and have breakfast before heading to the park’s briefing point. The session begins at 7:30 am, so plan to arrive by 7:00 am. The Uganda Wildlife Authority guide will go through the gorilla trekking rules and assign you to a gorilla group. Groups vary in distance and location, so fitness level helps determine which group suits you.
After the briefing, start the trek with your guide, trackers, and rangers. Bwindi’s forest is thick and sometimes steep, so good walking shoes and some endurance help a lot. The trek length varies depending on the gorillas’ location. It may last from one hour to several.
Once you reach the gorillas, stay quiet and calm. You have one hour to watch their behavior and take photos. These gorillas often feed, groom each other, or rest while juveniles play around. The experience offers a deep connection with one of the world’s rarest animals.
After the visit, trek back downhill to the trailhead. Your driver will transfer you to the lodge. Enjoy lunch, rest, and then have a slow evening reflecting on your experience. Dinner is served in the main area with views of the forest canopy.
Permit Information
You need separate permits for both experiences. A golden monkey permit costs $60 for foreign non-residents and $50 for foreign residents. Gorilla trekking permits cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East Africans. Book these permits early, especially during peak months like June to August and December to February.
Best Time to Go
Dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, offer better trekking conditions. Trails stay drier and easier to navigate. However, these months also attract more visitors. For fewer crowds, consider March to May or September to November, but pack for rain.
Physical Fitness and Preparation
Both treks require moderate to high fitness levels. The terrain involves steep slopes, muddy paths, and dense vegetation. Walk regularly before your trip to prepare. Bring walking sticks, long-sleeved clothes, hiking boots, and a rain jacket. Drinking water and packed lunch are often provided before the trek.
Final Day – Return to Entebbe
After breakfast the following day, prepare to return to Entebbe. Your journey back may involve a flight from Kisoro or a long drive through southwestern Uganda. If flying, your driver will take you to Kisoro airstrip. If driving, you’ll enjoy scenic views of terraced hills, small towns, and tea plantations along the way.
