How to organize a gorilla and golden monkey trekking from Mbarara to Mgahinga
If you’re planning to visit Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, you’ll be in for a treat with gorilla and golden monkey safaris. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to drive there from Mbarara City. But before you go, you need to get permits for gorilla and golden monkey trekking. These permits are like tickets to get into the park. Before you check if permits are available, make sure you know how many people are coming with you and who’s eligible for gorilla or golden monkey trekking.
Even though Mgahinga National Park is the smallest one in Uganda, covering only about 33.7 square kilometers, it’s home to some special animals. One of these is the mountain gorilla, and there’s only one family available for gorilla trekking: the Nyakagezi family. This family of gorillas used to wander into Rwanda, so you couldn’t book permits in advance. But now they’re settled in Uganda.
Golden monkeys also live in Mgahinga National Park. There are only about 2,000 to 4,000 of them left in the world, so they’re quite special. These monkeys are a bit bigger than other monkeys and they’re really cute. Even though they’re used to people, they’re still lively and keep you entertained.
Since there aren’t many places to stay in the park, it’s a good idea to book your accommodation early. This way, you’ll be sure to have a place to stay when you get there. Knowing how many people are coming with you will help with booking rooms.
When it comes to getting to Mgahinga National Park, you have options. You can either drive there or take a charter flight. If you choose to drive, make sure the vehicle is in good shape and has 4×4 wheel drive. The roads can be rough and slippery, especially during heavy rains. So, it’s important to have a sturdy vehicle for the journey.
What to think about when Planning a Gorilla and Golden Monkey Safari from Mbarara City
Reserving Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Permits
At Iconic Africa Safaris, our safari experts can assist you in securing permits for gorilla or golden monkey trekking. When you reach out to us, our team will check with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to see if permits are available.
Once we find availability for gorilla and golden monkey permits, we recommend purchasing them quickly. These permits are in high demand and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Only a maximum of 8 permits for gorilla and golden monkey trekking are available for public booking each day.
To identify yourself for the permits, please provide us with details such as your full name (as it appears on your passport), date of birth, nationality, and passport expiration date.
Golden Monkey Trekking Permit Costs
The cost of a Golden Monkey trekking permit varies depending on your residency status. For foreign nonresidents, the permit is $60 per person, for foreign residents it’s $50, and for East African residents, it’s 40000 shs.
Included in the cost of the Golden Monkey trekking permit are ranger guide fees, security, conservation efforts for the golden monkeys, support for the local community, government taxes, and one hour spent with the golden monkeys.
Excluded from the permit cost are park entrance fees, tips, hiring porters, accommodation, and any other personal expenses.
