Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the other reason that tourists visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Golden monkeys are a unique primate species found on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, which straddle Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
In Uganda, the golden monkeys are only found in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southwestern region of Uganda just at the border with Rwanda.
Golden monkey tracking is an activity that involves travelers hiking through the bamboo forest and thick vegetation of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in search of the golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are wild animals, primate species that are small in size with golden and black colors, which is how they got their name ‘golden monkeys.’
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are small and fast in movements, usually seen moving through bamboo sections of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, eating small bamboo shoots, bamboo leaves, lichens, sprouts, small invertebrates, flowers and seasonal fruits.
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park live in groups of about 30-100 individuals or more with an alpha male as the head, roaming over a large territory and thus being an active primate species; seeing them while golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has travelers swinging their eyes from one place to another as the golden monkeys do jump from one bamboo to another.
With about 2000-4000 golden monkeys in the Virungas, the golden monkeys are an endangered primate species. Golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be encountered with a golden monkey tracking activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
To be able to encounter golden monkeys, travelers are required to have golden monkey tracking permits, which allow one access to take part in the activity. A golden monkey tracking permit in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park costs $60 for both foreign non-residents and residents, while East African citizens pay UGX 40000 only, per person per track. Golden monkey tracking permits can be purchased on the ground from the park headquarters of Ntebeko, or you can have a reputable tour operator purchase them on your behalf.
Golden monkey tracking experience
The golden monkey tracking experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starts early in the morning at 7am with a briefing at the park headquarters of Ntebeko by park officials. The brief includes receiving the rules and guidelines of golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, as well as what you should expect. Thereafter, you proceed to embark on the search for the golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Upon encountering the golden monkeys in the park, you shall spend an hour with the golden monkeys, taking pictures, which can be quite tedious given the golden monkeys are very active and constantly move; getting a clear shot of golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be quite an activity.
Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can take about 2 hours or more, depending on the location of the golden monkeys. The golden monkeys in the park that travelers do encounter while on a golden monkey tracking activity are fully habituated to accommodate human presence and interaction.
A golden monkey habituation experience is most ideal for travelers who want to spend more time with the golden monkeys.
What to carry for your Golden Monkey in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park safari
Apart from the personal effects and general Uganda safari what-to-wear items, travelers intending to visit the golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park should carry among others insect repellents, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof hiking shoes with a grip, a waterproof backpack to keep your gadgets safe, and a rain jacket.
Binoculars, a camera, a hiking stick, energy-giving snacks, and bottled drinking water shouldn’t be forgotten when embarking on a golden monkey tracking activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Golden monkeys can be visited all throughout the year. The best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, however, is during the dry season, which falls in the months of June to August and December to February, when the roads and trails in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are easily passable.
Important to note, however, is that Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a mountainous and rainforest area, which receives rainfall any time of the year. Packing appropriately is therefore very important.
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are not the only attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that travelers can visit and enjoy while in the park. Other Mgahinga Gorilla National Park attractions that travelers can enjoy include the endangered mountain gorillas; volcanoes like Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura; as well as bird species and plant species, among so many others.
Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that travelers can enjoy include golden monkey tracking, gorilla trekking, nature walks, birding safaris, volcano hiking, and the Batwa cultural experience, among so many others. Take time to reach out to a reputable tour operator for an amazing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda, safari.
