Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Golden monkey trekking is an extraordinary activity in which guests go through the tropical jungle in search of habituated golden monkeys and spend an hour with them in their natural surroundings. Golden monkeys are endangered primates who live in groups of approximately 100 people and eat bamboo shoots, leaves, lichens, flowers, and insects. Aside from Mgahinga gorilla national park, golden monkey trekking is also available at Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park.

Golden monkey trekking is a strenuous pursuit for golden monkeys in the rainforests of Mgahinga gorilla national park that begins early in the morning with a training on the laws and regulations to be followed while hiking.

Following the briefing, you will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to hike with an experienced park guide who is familiar with golden monkey pathways. Trekking with golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park takes between 30 minutes and 5 hours, depending on where the golden monkeys are situated because they prefer to wander from one location to another in quest of food.

During your trip, you will follow paths made of discarded bamboo shoots and leaves, as well as see other primate species, many bird species, plant and tree species, and more. When the golden monkeys are located, you will be permitted to spend one hour with them in their natural environment, where you will be able to learn more about their behaviors and routines, as well as watch them feed, play, and jump up in tree branches, as well as capture photographs and film videos to show folks back home after the safari.

Mgahinga gorilla national park in southwestern Uganda also provides golden monkey habituation experiences, in which wild golden monkeys are educated to become accustomed to human presence in preparation for trekking. The golden monkey habituation experience takes two to three years to complete, and guests who participate in the activity get to spend four hours with the golden monkeys.

What is the Cost of golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park?

Golden monkey trekking permits at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cost $100 USD per person for foreign non-residents, $90 USD per person for foreign residents, and 60,000 UGX per person for East African citizens which is inclusive of park entry fees.

Golden monkey habituation permits at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cost 140 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 110 USD per person for foreign residents, and 120,000 UGX per person for East African citizens inclusive of park entry fees.

Best time to go for golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Golden monkey trekking tours or safaris at Mgahinga gorilla national park may be done all year round while the optimum time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During this month, there is less rainfall in the park hence access roads and golden monkey trekking routes will be passable which making walking simple compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and treacherous.

How to book golden monkey trekking permit in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?

Permits for golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be obtained directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the park headquarters via email or phone calls. Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park may also be booked through a reputable tour operator, such as Explore Rwanda Tours, by contacting us with the date, month, and year you desire to see the golden monkeys.

How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southern Uganda and is accessible by road. You will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro to the park headquarters, which takes around 9 to 10 hours.

The national park is also accessible by air, with domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then a road connection to the park headquarters.

Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of options you can choose from when visiting  Mgahinga gorilla national park and these range from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your golden monkey trekking safari including Mutanda lake resort, Lake Mulehe safari lodge, Lake Chahafi resort,  Mount Gahinga Rest camp, Mucha hotel, Mubano Hotel, Kisoro Travelers rest, Mgahinga safari lodge, Muhabura Motel, Kisoro Travelers lodge, Montana Guest House, Kisoro Tourist hotel, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Chameleon hill lodge, Gorilla Heights lodge, Ntebeko River Camp, Amajambere Iwacu Community camp among others.

Other activities that you can do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga gorilla national park offers additional activities to visitors after golden monkey trekking, such as gorilla trekking where you will be able to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas, Batwa trail experience where you will be able to interact with the Batwa or pygmies who used to live in Mgahinga forest before it was gazetted as a national park, bird watching where you will be able to view a variety of bird species, and guided nature walks.

What to pack for your golden monkey trek in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Hiking shoes, long-sleeved shirt and trousers, camera and additional batteries, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, drinking water, and a backpack are among the essentials to take for your golden monkey trekking safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park is a unique experience that may be coupled with other activities such as bird viewing, Batwa trail experience, gorilla trekking in either Mgahinga gorilla national park or Bwindi impenetrable national park, and so on. Please contact Explore Rwanda Tours for more information about Golden Monkey Trekking tours in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.