Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Golden monkey trekking is an exceptional activity that involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated golden monkeys and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Golden monkeys are endangered primates which live in troops of about 100 individuals and they mostly feed on bamboo shoots, leaves, lichens, flowers and insects. Apart from Mgahinga gorilla national park, golden monkey trekking is also done in other destinations like Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
It is an active activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park that starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with golden monkey trails. Trekking of golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on where the golden monkeys are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will follow trails of leftover bamboo shoots, leaves, view other primate species, different bird species, plant and tree species among others. Once the golden monkeys are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them feed, play, jump up in tree branches, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.
Mgahinga gorilla national park also offers golden monkey habituation experience where the wild golden monkeys are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Golden monkey habituation experience takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete and visitors who engage in the activity get an opportunity to spend four hours with the golden monkeys.
Cost of golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park cost 60 USD per person for foreign non residents, 50 USD per person for foreign residents and 40,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Golden monkey habituation permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park cost 100 USD per person for foreign non residents, 80 USD per person for foreign residents and 100,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. Price of golden monkey trekking and habituation permits excludes entrance fees in Mgahinga gorilla national park which is 40 USD per person for foreign non residents, 30 USD per person for foreign residents and 20,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Best time to go for golden monkey trekking safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park
It can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During this period, there is less rainfall in the park therefore access roads and golden monkey trekking trails will be passable which make trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
How to book golden monkey trekking permit
Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the park headquarters via email or telephone calls. Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the golden monkeys.
How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book domestic flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Where to stay in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park has several accommodation facilities ranging 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 in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park offers other activities that visitors can engage in after golden monkey trekking including 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 into a national park, Bird watching where you will be able to view variety of bird species and guided nature walks.
What to pack for golden monkey trekking safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park
There are a number of items to pack for your golden monkey trekking safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park including hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt and trouser, camera and extra batteries, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, drinking water, backpack among others.
This is an exceptional activity that can be combined with other activities like bird watching, Bawa trail experience, gorilla trekking in either Mgahinga gorilla national park or Bwindi impenetrable national park among others. For more information about Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.
