Golden Monkey Trekking
Trekking in Mgahinga National Park, southwestern Uganda
Trekking Golden Monkeys in Uganda
14 km (9 mi) walk between Buhoma and Nkuringo
The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kind) is one of the twenty primate species found in Uganda, specifically Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Mgahinga is part of the massive Virunga Mountains, where the golden monkey is endemic. The golden monkey is a species of Old World monkey. It is widely spread in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, including four national parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It is restricted to the highland forest, especially near bamboo.
This species was previously thought to be a blue monkey subspecies (Cercopithecus mitis), and the two are similar overall. Still, the golden monkey has a golden-orange patch on the upper flanks and back. Not much is known about the golden monkey’s behavior. It lives in social groups of up to 30 individuals. Its diet consists mainly of bamboo, leaves, and fruit, though it is also thought to eat insects. Due to their habitat’s gradual destruction and recent wars in their limited habitat, the golden monkey is shown as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Golden monkey trekking experience is an activity you can easily add to your gorilla trekking experience. The activity allows you to get up-close to habituated troops in Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hiking trail across mountain communities, villages, and cultivated mountain slopes meeting native peoples spotting rare bird species and photographing scenic landscapes of Africa
- Become the attraction when village children follow and welcome you to their land chanting “Mzungu” (white person).
- Challenge your travel muscles with canoeing in a dugout canoe on Lake Mutanda. One of the beautiful mountain lakes around Bwindi Impenetrable forest
- Hike Across Africa’s oldest and richest rainforest, meet some of the rarest species and plants that enjoy the primeval forest amenities.
- Learn how communities, people, and animals have lived together in and around the Bwindi jungles.
- Support local communities when you hire a guide, porter or ranger on your walking safari adventure.
INCLUDED
- Transportation and 4×4 vehicle transfers
- Accommodation and Meals as per itinerary
- English Speaking Guide and Rangers
We will process the park permits on your behalf from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
CORONAVIRUS CONCERN
Please carry a pack of N95 Facemask and hand sanitizer with you. You’ll be required to have a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate issued within 72 hours of your arrival in the country, and keep your mask on when with animals and people crowds. You’re requested to adhere to COVID Operating procedures to keep you safe during your trip.
The Golden Monkey Trek
You can track golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park or Volcanoes National Park, where you are escorted into the jungle and only allowed an hour in the presence of a habituated family. However, you can consider the golden monkey habituation experience in Mgahinga. The experience is more intense and rewarding than the trekking activity, and you spend close to 4 hours in their presence. The trek is not strenuous because golden monkeys are found at the mountain base in the Bamboo forest, a fairly flat terrain.
Some golden monkey troops in Mgahinga National Park have been habituated for tourism and are currently available for tourism though don’t get as much attention as the mountain gorillas and chimpanzee in Uganda.
Golden Monkey tracking fees/permit in Uganda is currently (2020/21) at US $60 per person for foreigners and UGX 40,000 for EAC nationals. Semi-habituated troops are also available for the Golden Monkey Habituation Experience that takes more than 4 hours or a full day and costs US$100 per person for foreigners and UGX 100,000 for EAC nationals.
The golden monkey tracking permit can be obtained from the UWA office or a licensed and trusted tour operator.
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Travel safely
Please make sure you have your facemask on when in contact with animals, especially the endangered creatures. Without a negative PCR Covid Test, you’ll not be allowed into the country. You’ll spend most of your time in open spaces away from human crowds, with that there’s minimal to no infections of the COVID virus.
Flexible booking terms
Your booking can be extended up to 12 months ahead with no extra fees, in case of any emergency (based on accommodation availability). Reservations are accepted after we receive a 30% deposit on the trip and the full payment for gorilla tracking and chimp tracking permits for each tour participant. For more details on our booking terms, please read our Terms and Conditions.