Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda
Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda. This activity is adventurous and one of the major activities you shouldn’t miss during your safari in Uganda. Tourists do Golden Monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It is the smallest national park in the southwestern region, Kisoro District. The activity involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated golden monkeys. Once you find them, you get to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
The Experience
Golden monkey trekking is an active activity that starts early in the morning. It starts with a briefing about the rules, regulations, and expectations of golden monkey trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle following trails of leftover bamboo shoots and leaves. Golden monkey trekking takes about 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on where they currently are. This is because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates. These include chimpanzees, L’hoest’s monkeys, view bird species, and plants among others. Once you locate the golden monkeys, rangers will allow you to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. This gives you a chance to learn about their behaviors and habits. Also, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos, and record the moments.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also offers a golden monkey habituation experience. It is an adventurous activity where researchers help the golden monkeys get used to human presence for trekking. The golden monkey habituation experience is carried out by a team of researchers, scientists, park rangers, and guides among others. It allows visitors to spend four hours in the presence of the golden monkeys.
Cost of a golden monkey trekking permit in Uganda
A golden monkey trekking permit is a legal card that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit the habituated golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park. Uganda Wildlife Authority issues Golden Monkey trekking permits, a government body in charge of tourism. The permit costs 60 USD per person for foreign nonresidents and 40,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. A golden monkey habituation permit in Uganda costs 100 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 100 USD per person for foreign residents, and 100,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book a Golden Monkey trekking permit in Uganda
You can book a Golden Monkey trekking permit in Uganda directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Here, You contact the head offices in Kampala via telephone calls or email. You can also book Golden Monkey trekking permits in Uganda through a tour operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services. You can do so by contacting us with the dates when you wish to visit the golden monkeys. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability. If there are permits available, we’ll then request you to make a deposit for the permit. When we receive the payments, we will purchase the Golden Monkey trekking permit on your behalf. We’ll then and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Best time to go for golden monkey trekking in Uganda
You can do Golden Monkey trekking anytime throughout the year. However, the best time is during the dry season/the high season. This is in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During the dry season, the park receives less rainfall therefore golden monkey trekking trails will be dry and passable. Also, vegetation will be thin hence allowing you to view the golden monkeys and other wildlife species clearly.
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
There are several accommodation facilities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where you can stay during your golden monkey trekking safari. The accommodations range from luxury to midrange, and budget. These include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Mucha Hotel, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Montana Guest House, Muhabura Motel, Kisoro Travelers Lodge, and Mutanda Island Lodge among others.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in the southwestern part of Uganda. You can thus access it by both road and air transport means.
Road transport, when using road transport means tourists will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro. You’ll then head to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
You can also access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park from Kigali Rwanda. Tourists will fly to Kigali International Airport and then connect to the park headquarters via Cyanika border which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
Air transport: You can also access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by air transport means. You will charter a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip. Then, you connect to the park headquarters by road.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda
Golden monkey trekking is an interesting activity. You can also combine it with gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Additionally, you can combine it with wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. For more information about golden monkeys, you can contact us at Safari Vacations and Travel Services or visit our website for various golden monkey trekking packages.
