Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda : Golden monkeys are a monkey species identified by the yellow patches spread out of all over their body, golden monkeys are commonly known as old world monkey. These golden monkeys are highly social animals that display a group of behaviour known as fusion and fission which is not common in primates. SGolden monkeys are active and playful primates which feed on bamboo shoots, ripe fruits, insects and always jump from one tree to another
The golden monkey trekking is the moving on foot into the forests in search of the habituated golden monkey families in their natural habitats. This is an active and exciting activity in the parks where they have golden monkeys.
Golden trekking is mainly done at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga is located in the South Western parts od Uganda to be specific in Kisoro district. Mgahinga National Park harbours a number of golden monkeys which is approximately 62 golden monkeys. Despite the name Mgahinga gorilla national park, it has more golden monkeys than gorillas. Visitors or tourists who are below 15 years are not permitted to do golden monkey trekking and it is prohibited by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Golden monkey trekking takes about to 4 to 5 hours at Mgahinga National Park, golden trekking activity starts at 8 am with the briefing ,here you are alerted on dos and don’ts as you trek then you are led by thee professional guide who gives more information about the golden monkey trekking ,the history ,the behaviours and many other characteristics of golden monkey ,after the briefing you are head to the f forest to search for golden monkey in the national park and when you get them you stay one hour with them in their habituation .
What to carry or pack during the gorilla trekking activity
Insect repellent to protect your body from insect bites, energy snacks, drinking bottled water
Long sleeved shirt and trouser, waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall, hiking boots to keep your feet dry during trekking, backpack to carry golden monkey trekking like cameras, insect repellent, walking stick to give support during trekking, camera extra batteries to take pictures and record videos.
Costs of golden monkey trekking at Mgahinga national park. the golden trekking document is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority. a single golden monkey permit costs USD 60 for foreign non residents and foreign residents and 40000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens. the price also includes park entrance fees
The permits can also be booked from a trusted tour company. the permits are advised to be booked ahead of the gorilla trekking activity
Best time to do golden monkey trekking at Mgahinga national park are the drier months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall at Mgahinga national park, so the trails are passable, vegetation, is thin which gives you an opportunity to clearly view the golden monkeys and other wildlife species that are in the park.
Accommodations at Mgahinga national park while you go golden monkey trekking
There are a number of accommodation facilities in the park where visitors can stay as they go for golden monkey trekking, they range from luxury, mid range and budget. these include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Gahinga rest camp, Montana Guest House, Mutanda island Lodge, among others.
Visitors, tourists can access Mgahinga national park for golden monkey trekking by either road transport or air transport
Road transport visitors can use Kampala-via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then head to the headquarters which takes about 6 to 7 hours also people from Rwanda use road transport through Cyaninga boarder which takes about 4 to 6 hours
Air transport, Mgahinga national park is also accessed by air transport where scheduled or chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to Mgahinga headquarters.
In addition to golden monkey trekking at Mgahinga National Park, visitors can hike, watch birds, visit caves, volcano climbing, gorilla trekking and more wildlife to watch. however golden monkey trekking is one of the main activities done at the park.
Mgahinga national park is not only the park for golden monkey trekking in East Africa, there are other parks like Volcanoes National Park in the north west Rwanda, Virunga national park and the Kahuzi Biega national in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
