Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park
Tracking golden monkeys is best done in Uganda and Rwanda. The two countries are more organized, have better tourism infrastructure, and are more secure. There is no age limit or specific number of people required for tracking golden monkeys. Tracking golden monkeys starts with a briefing, which takes place at the park offices at around 7:30 am. After the briefing, tourists may decide to hire a porter to help with extra luggage before moving to the starting point.
Trackers can locate them by looking for fresh leftovers of bamboo shoots. Each day of tracking golden monkeys is different – the weather and troop movements decide how the day will go. Because of their constant movements on tree tops, taking photos (flash photos are allowed, unlike with the mountain gorillas) of these monkeys involves some difficulty.
Once the monkeys are located, trackers will often have to follow them around because they love jumping from tree to tree. Their long tails help them with balancing, but they may get stuck and cut off by the bamboo trees. You can notice some members with short tails as testament to this. Habituated golden monkeys are not too shy around humans and may come close out of curiosity. Just like with mountain gorillas, Tourists are only allowed one hour with the monkeys. You might be interested in.
Golden Monkey Habituation in Uganda and Rwanda
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda is among the activities that are carried out during tours around Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. The golden monkeys are an endangered species that can be seen in the Virunga conservation area. These monkeys live in the bamboo forests of Mgahinga National Park, which is also home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda.
The golden monkey trekking activity starts with a briefing at the park headquarters around 07:00 am before tourists start the search for the golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park. During the briefing, tourists are told about the rules and regulations to follow and also given information about the national park and the golden monkeys.
Tourists hike through the forests of Mgahinga National Park as they search for the golden monkeys, which take about 2 to 4 hours. This is because the golden monkeys can be seen around the lower areas of the national park, making them easy to see. The golden monkeys in the national park are also known for living in big groups of about 30 individuals.
Other primates, as well as different bird species, can also be seen during the golden monkey trekking experience.
Another activity that tourists take part in during their golden monkey trekking tours in Mgahinga National Park is golden monkey habituation.
Expectations while doing the Golden Monkey trekking
Expect to step in mud
One needs to be fit to be able to trek golden monkeys, expect a long trek, and
hike
Expect to follow the rules and regulations of trekking golden monkeys
Expect heavy rains, especially during the rainy season, so endeavor to carry raincoats along with you.
Golden monkey trekking is an active tour compared to Chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking in certain instances because it is done in a mountainous area, and they are continuously moving, which requires you to follow them; they are small and fast in their movements. They prefer to rummage through the bamboo sections of the forest to eat the young bamboo shoots.
The golden monkey trek starts early morning with a briefing at 7 am at the park headquarters before trekkers can start the trip into the park. You spend an hour with the golden monkeys after spotting them. The trek generally takes about 2 hours.
What to Carry
- Insect repellent,
- Day pack for your lunch in case the trek takes longer than expected.
- Water for drinking
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, trouser.
Where do the golden monkeys sleep?
Golden Monkeys live in the open up in the trees. They weave many bamboo plants together to make a nest as a home. These bamboo trees are woven together to make beds.
What do the golden monkeys feed on?
Golden Monkeys feed in areas where they sleep to make it easy for them to get food.
They are herbivores feeding on plants, fruits, bamboo, shrubs, larvae found on the trees, flowers, branches, and shoots.
