Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the only destination where silver meets gold in Uganda. Besides the park being famous for gorilla safari adventures, it is also the only place where travelers can see the endangered and threatened golden monkeys! This rare specie is endemic to the Albertine Rift and tracking them in the wild forms yet another highlight in the Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The rare golden monkeys are among a few primates that offer striking experiences in remotest destinations in Uganda. Golden monkey tracking is centered on the dense bamboo forests on Gahinga Trail. Out of 3000-4000 golden monkeys that are assumed to be living within the Virunga region, about 42 to 60 of these dramatic creatures have been fully habituated in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Habituation means the golden monkeys are used to human presence since the habituation process takes about 2-3 years. Interestingly, golden monkey tracking experience in Uganda is only conducted in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These remarkable creatures stay in groups of 30 individuals and beyond and they cover a larger area in the Virunga volcanoes.
Golden monkeys are renowned to weigh almost ten to twenty five pounds and they are characterized by golden bodies, cheeks and tails while their limbs are painted black. Golden monkeys are a sub species of famous blue monkeys. Their diet is mostly dependent on the fruits, leaves from the bamboo trees, shrubs, flowers, invertebrates which explains why they are concentrated around the highland forested areas.
Golden monkey tracking is one of the rewarding adventures around Mgahinga and visitors above 12 years are allowed to track these fascinating primates in the wild. At 7:00 am visitors will be briefed and the start off the golden monkey tracking at 8:00am. You will be required to report to the briefing centre as early as possible.
What you should carry on the trek
Remember golden monkey tracking is done in the bamboo forest and you are required to carry appropriate items including clothing some of which includes; insect repellents, day back, long sleeved shirts or T-shirts, a bottle of water, walking stick, water hiking boots.
Golden monkey tracking permits
Like any other primate walk, golden monkey tracking also requires visitors to have permits to allow them track these spectacular primates in the wild. The permits cost $75 of which the visitors spends one hour with the golden monkey. Tracking these primates is not just to admire their stripped golden bodies but to explore their life styles and daily behavior in general while in their natural home. Accessing a golden monkey permit isn’t that hard, what you need to do is simply to identify yourself at the park headquarters or pay the specified price that will be required of you to track the habituated golden monkey family. Please book for your permit in advance to avoid disappointments!
The accommodation facilities around the park
While enjoying your experience with these unique primates, there shouldn’t be any worry or doubts about where to spend a night afterwards. Some of the unique lodging facilities around the park for your overnight include: Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Amajambere Lwacu Camp, Lake Mutanda Chameleon Hill Lodge and Kisoro Travelers Rest Resort. The unique thing about these accommodation facilities is that, they offer one of the sceneries around and you will honestly experience no boredom!
In conclusion, golden monkey tracking offers tourists a great opportunity to view the most magnificent primates in the wild. Just setting into Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, your mind should be thinking about striking the eyes with golden creatures. Besides golden monkey tracking, you can still enhance your experience with Golden Monkey Habituation Experiences which also done in only Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is real fun staring at these golden creatures in the wild; prove this by accessing your permit now!