Golden monkey trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

Golden monkey trekking activities are some of the fascinating touristic activities that have taken shape and gained popularity in the past two decades among travelers in East Africa. This activity takes place in the Virunga Mountain ranges where these primates are endemic to. Golden monkeys are a subspecies of the blue monkey and there are other monkeys in Eastern Africa that almost look like these orange- and gold-colored primates. They inhabit the forests in central Africa, especially in the highlands. Golden monkeys prefer bamboo habitats and that is where they are usually trekked.

Golden monkey trekking national parks in Uganda and Rwanda.

Uganda and Rwanda host the endangered golden monkeys. They can be found in the thick rainforests where national parks have been gazetted in the past two decades to ensure they are protected and conserved for the next generations. The national parks encompass;

Mgahinga national park.

Mgahinga National Park is the only National Park in Uganda that hosts golden monkeys. The park is located in the southwest of Uganda in Kisoro district and occupies an area of approximately 33.7 square kilometers. Mgahinga spans 3 of the 8 Virunga mountains that are great habitat for the golden monkeys. It is on the slopes of the mountains that the golden monkey’s exciting adventure takes place.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is comprised of two thick primeval rainforests that is to say Gishwati and Mukura after which the park is named. The park occupies an area of about 34 square kilometers in the northwest of Rwanda. It is a renowned home to several primates and golden monkeys are a section of them. Serious tourism in the park started in 2019 and it is now booming due to the popularity of the activities therein, a reason why an adventure-seeking traveler should check it out whenever in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park.

Sitting on an area of approximately 160 square kilometers in the north of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is a portion of the huge Virunga conservation area. It is home to five of the 8 Virunga mountains which are the exact place where the golden monkeys reside and their trekking activities are hosted.

Volcanoes are home to not only golden monkeys but other primates too, especially the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoests, blue monkeys and owl-faced monkeys not forgetting the beautiful bird species too, especially the East African endemics. They encompass green turacos, green breasted pitta, bar-tailed trogon, bush shrikes, African paradise flycatcher, African fish eagles, African green pigeons, African darters and jacanas.

Volcanoes National Park is a renowned one-stop center for golden monkey trekking in Rwanda and offers extremely sensational experiences.

How it is done and what it costs.

The golden monkey trekking activity enables the visitor to explore the forests in East Africa, moving through various landscapes on foot in search of exciting creatures.

Once encountered, visitors are allowed to spend at least an hour observing the golden monkeys. Taking pictures of them and learning several things about them. The tourist guides provide information about the genetics and other aspects of the lives of the golden monkeys which even make the trip more exciting and informative.

Golden Monkey trekking permits in Uganda can be purchased at $60.00 for foreign nonresidents, $60.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 40,000 for East African citizens and in addition to this you add the park entry fees. In Rwanda, the Golden Monkey permits cost $100 for the foreign nonresidents, $65 for the foreign residents, and Rwandan francs 4000 for the Rwandan citizens.

The most appropriate time to visit and trek golden monkeys.

Uganda and Rwanda are closely located near the equator though Rwanda is not crossed by it like Uganda. Due to that fact, they are blessed with two seasons every year that is to say the dry and wet seasons. The dry seasons are the best to traverse through the rainforests and mountainous terrain.

The dry seasons occur from May to September and December to early March.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park is a known home of primates in Uganda, the forest is one of the few remaining tropical rainforests of Uganda situated in the western part in the Kabarole district, chimpanzee are the main residents of the biodiverse ecosystem plus 12 other species including the black and white colobus monkeys, pottos, bush babies, blue monkeys, endangered red colobus monkeys, white-cheeked monkeys, retailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, to mention few, there are animals present within the park although they are rare to see for example forest elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs. The forest trees rise 55 meters above the ground forming a beautiful canopy overlooking the Fort Portal plateau.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park is experiential, the primates have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA, they are characterized by their social behaviors, intelligence, and the ability to use tools, the diet of the Chimpanzee mainly comprises plants, fruits, stems, they occasionally hunt small monkeys for meat and termites, these live in families of up to 100 members by a male alpha,  chimpanzee communities are communicative with cooing charters they are also territorial in nature, there are over 1500induviudals living in the Kibale forest, they are popular for their nesting in the trees not to forget their super playful nature.

Chimpanzee tracking has been taking place in Kibale Forest National Park since 1993, the primates were first tracked at the Kanyanchu visitor center, and to date going into the forest to find Chimpanzee begins here, a briefing is conducted by the Uganda wildlife authority team about the forest and how to generally conduct yourself while with the primates, the walk through the forest will take you to experience the best of the park the hike through the well-distributed trails takes 2-3 hours while with the primates after an hour of interaction and taking pictures you return to meet your guide. The primates are tracked in sessions in the morning at 8:00 a.m. and in the afternoon at 2:00 p.m. East African time, this is led through the game ranger.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park requires the purchase of a tracking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the cost of the permit is $250 for foreign nonresidents, $150 for foreign residents, and 150,000 UGX Charged to all East African citizens, in order to enjoy a chimpanzee tracking experience it is important to pack right for the safari, take long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, hiking boots, Rian gears, and any other important items of personal nature.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park is mainly complimented by the Bigodi Swamp walks, the sanctuary hosts many birds notable for the great blue Turaco, while here expect to view more species of primates, birds, and butterflies’ kinds, a crater walk around Ndali or Kyaninga would be ideal to explore on your primate safari. There is available accommodation around the park ranging from the best budget to Luxury Examples of facilities include the Kyaninga Lodge and the Primate Lodge.