Golden Monkey in Mgahinga National Park
Golden Monkey in Mgahinga National Park : Golden Monkey is an active and unique species, one of Uganda’s 20 primate species, in Uganda can be found only in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is part of the Virunga Mountains where it is endemic. If we compare Golden monkey with other monkey species is totally different in appearance. Golden monkey species ‘’Cercopithecus mitis kandti’ have bright colored fur with long golden hair mixed with orange.
More so, Golden monkeys are beautiful primates found on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes that share between Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo and in Uganda golden monkey tracking is conducted only in Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Southwestern Uganda, estimating 9 to 10-hour drive.
Currently, the number of Golden monkey stands between 2000 and 4000 individuals, this is because they are only found in the Virunga areas and have been classified as endangered. Golden monkeys live in troops of about 100 lead by an Alpha male and their diet are or feed on bamboo leaves, lichens, flowers, sprouts, leaves and smalls invertebrates.
In Mgahinga Gorilla national park the habituated troops are available for tracking, also the semi-habituated troops are available for experiential tourism. Moreover, Golden monkey tracking is not as exhausting, tiresome as gorilla tracking because the monkeys do not build new nests every day and there is no need for pre-trackers to trace these species every morning.
Golden Monkey experience is the second done activity unlike Gorilla trekking, though it is a new product for tourists to the park that allows them to have a memorable sight and a better understanding of what it means to research and protect an endangered species in over 21st century. For this matter, there many challenges faced everyday by the team out in the field.
This experiential tourism gives visitors an understanding of why golden monkey research is so importance and how conservation will result out the great witness when out in the field, learn about their interesting life style in the canopy and their habitat and other forest animals that share the same inhabits with the monkeys.
Golden monkey tracking is truly rewarding tour compared to Chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking. For instances, golden monkey tracking is done in the mountainous area and they are continuously moving species which requires you to stay calm as you follow them in their nature inhabit. They are small and fast in their movements, also they prefer moving through the bamboo sections of the forest because they like eating the younger bamboo shoots as their favorites diet.
This golden monkey species lives in a group of about 30 individuals and more through roaming over a large territory. A visitor to be able to participate in amazing activity, you need to obtain a golden monkey tracking permit in advance from your tour agency, specifies for you the final tracking date, you would like to track these active species.
Golden Monkey Tracking
The golden monkey tracking is a gorgeous experience just worth it! Starts early morning with briefing at 7am at the park headquarters before setting off into the park in research for them, you will be first briefed about dos and don’ts of golden monkey tracking. You will have a guided hike into mountainous area to search for golden monkeys, once you allocate them, you will begin to follow as they feed around, they are not like gorillas and one hour will be given to you as you watch their stunning life style. Tracking can take about 2 hours depending on where they nested the previous night and how far it is from the setting point.
Essentials to carry on safari –Mgahinga Gorilla National park
Insect repellent
Day pack to pack in your lunch boxes, documents in case the track takes longer than expected.
Carry enough mineral water bottle to avoid hydrates
Wear long sleeved shirts and trousers
Waterproof hiking boots
Remember to get a walking stick at the briefing point or your hotel, you will appreciate the support on the slippery paths.
We highly recommend you to go along with a porter to provide an extra support with the day pack and the slippery areas with the park.
What is the cost of Golden Monkey Tracking?
One to be able to engage in golden monkey tracking needs to purchase a tracking permit; foreign nonresident and resident costs USD60 while East African citizens pay UGX40,000 per person per track. Golden tracking permits can be purchased on the ground from the park headquarter of Ntebeko or by help of a tour operator.
Golden monkey habituation is a whole day life experience with in the jungle, to learn about the nature and behaviors of the golden monkeys in the company of the researchers, park rangers and experts. Golden monkey habituation experience permits costs USD100 Foreign nonresident and residents and UGX100,000 for East African citizens.
Other activities done in Mgahinga Gorilla national park; They include Gorilla trekking, birding, nature hikes, Visiting Batwa trails and Visiting local communities.
Mgahinga Golden monkey tracking can be visited all year around or at any time of the year.
Accessible –Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla national park can either be reached by air or by road and even you can travel from Rwanda.
By road, from Kampala travelling to Mgahinga takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
From Rwanda –Kigali travelling to Mgahinga takes about 4hours by road.
Alternatively, you can use a charter flights from Entebbe or Kampala to Kisoro airstrip takes 1:30 hour or you can opt to fly into Rwanda directly and be transported by road through border crossing at Cyanika or Katuna border.
Lastly, Golden monkey tracking is such tantalizing activities which can be opted with gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla national park . While planning for it take time to meet a trusted tour operator for help, in regard to plan for you the best holiday to meet Golden Monkeys.
