GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING IN UGANDA

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Golden Monkey trekking in Uganda is an exciting wildlife adventure that a tourist can add to their Uganda Safari. Golden Monkey trekking is done in Mgahinga National Park, which also protects Uganda’s mountain gorillas alongside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The only other country offering golden monkey trekking is Rwanda in the Volcanoes National Park.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda’s Virunga mountain range are home to the only populations of golden monkeys. Due to their striking golden fur coats, they are among the most beautiful monkey species; hence, the name “Golden” monkeys. They reside in the lower mountains, which are largely covered in bamboo forest, in large groups known as troops. They adore eating bamboo shoots as food.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park habituates one troop of Golden Monkeys and is accessible for tracking and research. A tracking permit for golden monkeys’ costs $100 per person. The golden monkey trek is only open to people who are at least 15 years old.

The golden monkey tracking tour session begins at 7.30 a.m. with a park ranger briefing at the park offices, followed by the start of the trek at 8 a.m. The monkeys stay close to the mountain’s base, in the bamboo, rather than straying too far up the mountain. They move in large groups and spend the majority of their time picking bamboo shoots from the tops of the canopies, but they also frequently descend to the ground. The Golden Monkeys are photogenic and don’t mind approaching people up close. You spend no more than an hour following them through the forest.

The golden monkey trekking is normally done in combination with the mountain gorilla trekking safaris, which are a popular safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s other activities include hiking Virunga chain volcanoes such as Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura, among others; batwa cultural experience, bird watching, and nature walks.

In Uganda and Rwanda, golden monkeys coexist peacefully with mountain gorillas. When tourists encounter these endangered animals, they are amusing and incredibly fascinating. These primate mammals, which stay together in groups of about 30 members, are known for establishing territorial boundaries and coexisting in large numbers. They constantly eat wild insects as well as bamboo shoots, forest fruits, leaves, and shrubs. Since golden monkeys live in lowland areas and are known to leave living evidence behind, which can be followed while on a golden monkey trek in the park, trekking golden monkeys is simpler than trekking mountain gorillas. However, golden monkeys are known to move from one location to another.

What is the cost of a golden monkey trekking permit?

Golden Monkey permits cost $ 100 per person. You can either contact a tour operator to help you book a golden monkey trekking permit without too much hustle, or you can book the permits directly from the head office. When you purchase a permit from a tour operator, they will also help you organize the entire golden monkey trekking safari to any of your preferred destinations. They also recommend that you tailor the safari by adding other experiences that will make your trip exceptional.

The best time to go trekking in Uganda

Travelers can go golden monkey trekking any time of year, but the best time is during the dry season, which lasts from December to February and June to September. During these months, there is little chance of rain, and the forest trails are dry and accessible. The roads and forest trails are slick, muddy, and wet during the rainy season, which makes trekking with the golden monkeys challenging.