Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga

Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga

Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga, an active adventure activity that involves walking and hiking up into the mountains in search of small and cheeky primates called Golden Monkeys. The monkey’s favorite meal is Bamboo shoots and insects which explains why they dwell in the Bamboo zone.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park which is boarded by Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda. With three volcanoes namely Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Muhabura all of which are part of the six Virunga Mountains. Mgahinga National Park harbors the endangered mountain gorilla and the Golden Monkeys.  The park is a tropical rainforest comprised of lowland equatorial evergreen forest, tropical seasonal forest, montane rainforests, and mountain Bamboo.

Golden Monkey tracking is another activity that can be done after gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, this is only done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, like gorilla tracking this also starts in the morning with a briefing, and after you head out with walking through the forest in search of these endangered monkeys. Golden monkey tracking permits are readily available and can be purchased on arrival at the park headquarters.

Cost of Golden Monkey Permits in Mgahinga National Park

The Golden Monkey permit for trekking in Mgahinga costs $100 per person. Golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga only has one session in the morning, this starts in the morning with a briefing, and after you head out to walk through the forest in search of these endangered mountain gorillas.

On the day of your trek, you’ll head to the Park Headquarters for a briefing on the rules to follow in the forest. Experienced guides and park rangers will lead you into the dense rainforest on the mountain slopes. The trek involves steep climbs and thick foliage. The reward is an unforgettable experience watching mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You’ll get within 7-5 meters of these amazing creatures, observing their daily activities. After an hour of viewing the gorillas, you’ll return to the starting point. You’ll receive a certificate for completing the trek.

What is the cost of transportation to Mgahinga National Park?

The transportation costs cover vehicle hire, a driver-guide, and fuel for the entire round trip. Vehicle hire ranges from USD 100-250 per day, depending on the type of vehicle you choose. For a three-day trip, you’ll need approximately USD 290 for the gorilla return journey. Additionally, to visit Mgahinga National Park, you are required to obtain a Uganda visa for USD 30, which can be acquired at Entebbe International Airport or any border point into Uganda.

The park is easily accessible by road, just a 45-minute drive from Kisoro town. For your convenience, we provide 4×4 vehicles with AC and drinking water as part of our all-inclusive packages, ensuring a comfortable road trip to Mgahinga National Park. Moreover, to enter the park, you must secure a permit for the gorilla trek.

Other Things to Do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla group, which is open for gorilla tracking. Like in Bwindi, you must book your trek in advance through a trustworthy tour operator to secure one of the eight available permits for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga. Mgahinga National Park offers another unique destination for gorilla tourism. Gorilla trekking involves visiting the rare mountain gorillas in their natural environment, where you can observe their beauty, movement, feeding, and lifestyle.

Famous for sharing 99% of their DNA with humans, gorillas are truly fascinating to observe. Mgahinga National Park is home to one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group, which is available for trekking every day. However, only eight visitors are allowed to visit the gorillas each day, with each person permitted one hour of viewing.

Gorilla trekking begins early in the morning at the Park headquarters, where visitors receive a briefing on the dos and don’ts.

Afterward, you will be grouped and assigned to a gorilla family before beginning your incredible adventure.

Batwa Cultural Trail Experience

Nature walks in Gahinga Forest

The Nature Walk is done in Mgahinga forest it is a very exciting activity to do after gorilla trekking which allows you to learn more about tree species as well as other wildlife species in the forest.

Village walks around Kisoro

This walk will take you through Kisoro’s local communities including visiting local markets and learning about the day-to-day life of the local people in Kisoro. You have an opportunity to engage and learn more about the Bafumbira and Bakiga tribes including enjoying traditional cultural dances, local foods, and local arts.

Golden Monkey Habituation

This is another activity that can be done after gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, this allows you to spend much time with the semi habituated Golden monkeys as you participate in activities geared to making them get used to human presence this also starts in the morning with a briefing and after you head out with walking through the forest in search for these endangered monkeys. Golden monkey habituation permits are readily available and can be purchased on arrival at the park headquarters.

Birding

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the best places for bird watching in Uganda, the park is home to over 127 bird species with various Albertine endemics.

Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: A safari taken to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is never complete without accommodation facilities. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a top safari destination in Uganda, known for its endangered mountain gorillas. It offers a memorable experience, just like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. If you plan to visit for more than one day, you’ll need a place to stay. After an unforgettable adventure in the jungle, a comfortable lodge is essential for relaxing. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park provides a variety of accommodation options. You can choose from luxury, mid-range, or budget lodges.

Mount Gahinga Lodge

Mount Gahinga Lodge is a luxury facility that sits just close to the park entrance making it the best option for you to trek this endangered mountain gorilla in their inhabitants and golden monkeys as well as participate in other different exhilarating activities such as Volcano hiking, the Batwa heritage, birding, nature walks mentioned but few.

This lodge features a living room fully equipped with a warm central fire and an outside terrace together with a luxurious sunroom that connects the living room to complete the tranquil and open style. It has well renovated Banda thus providing the best of luxury facilities within the area. All rooms are equal with fireplaces together with en-suite bathrooms, flush toilets, showers, and others. The Bandas are easily outreached through a short walk via beautiful gardens.

The main facilities that make this lodge ca classic and comfortable play of stay include an open fireplace, restaurant and bar, outdoor sitting area, solar power, sunroom, and laundry services.

Mucha Hotel Kisoro

This is a mid-range lodging facility with comfortable amenities good for night overstay. It lies suitably along the banks of River Mucha and provides perfect breathtaking views of its surroundings and beautiful flora. Mucha Hotel is located about six kilometers away from Kisoro town and provides a gainful view of the Volcanoes as well as River Mucha. The hotel has 10 en-suite bed rooms-single, double and twins.

It also features with stable restaurant with professional chefs, a garden area with banana trees, a lounge, a bar, a coffee and private vegetable plantation, and others.

Travelers’ rest hotel –Kisoro

Travelers’ Rest Hotel is also a midrange accommodation facility and one of the oldest hotels in Uganda. Being in Kisoro town just a few kilometers away from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This hotel offers 11 rooms well-furnished ranging from single, double, twin, suite, and triple among others. It has a restaurant, laundry services, garden, internet and others.

Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp

Kisoro Tourist Hotel

This hotel has comfortable amenities that lie within Kisoro town and provides pocket-friendly accommodation, with self-contained room has options. It offers a lounge, sauna, restaurant, conference facilities, gift shop, steam bath, bar, internet access, fitness room, fireplace, and laundry among others. Kisoro Tourist Hotel is also comfortable play of stay for visitors on their gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mutanda Lake Resort

This resort is a cool play of stay filling you with with cool breath-taking air and great views of the islands, and fishermen. It has pocket-friendly accommodation options and is located about 14 14-kilometer drive from Kisoro town. while the accommodation facility derives its name from the beautiful Lake Mutanda with distinct islands that make it a few most perfect tourist sites in Uganda because of the scenic view from the lake.

Mgahinga rest camp

Mgahinga rest camp sits close to the park and it comprises of 9 grass thatched Bandas and 3 tents with private facilities. Visitors who spend a night here have a great chance of visiting other parts of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. thus due to its strategic location, travelers on their safari to Mgahinga National Park. or safari places around can easily be part of the mountain gorilla encounter in the three countries. as well as nearby place of stay to this camp is Chameleon Hill Lodge which is a luxury hospitality facility for travelers on Uganda Gorilla Safari. Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga

What to pack for Golden Monkey tracking:

Just like Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking, Golden monkey has almost all some items to pack for the activity, and they include;

• Facemask & Sanitizer
• Hiking Boots.
• A Pair of Gaiters
• Hiking Gloves
• Waterproof Jacket
• Long-Sleeved Shirt/Blouse
• Hiking Pants/Trousers
• Energy Snacks
• Cameras and Extra Batteries
• Pair of Binoculars.
• Light Backpack

Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.