Golden Monkey Trekking Uganda | Mgahinga National Park

Golden monkey trekking in Uganda – Golden monkeys are a unique species of monkeys found only in Virunga volcanic mountains in central Africa. They are called golden monkeys because of a golden patch on their back and upper flanks. Golden monkeys live in groups of 30-100 individuals.

Golden money diet is mainly composed of bamboo, flowers, shrubs, fruits and leaves. Golden monkeys often feed near sleeping areas and return to the same sleeping locations at the end of the day. They usually sleep in sub groups of four individuals on top of bamboo plants. Golden monkeys havc been listed endangered in the IUCN red list, the main threat to their population is habitat loss with humans encroaching their habitat for settlement and farming.

Golden monkey trekking in Uganda can only be done at Mgahinga gorilla national park. Trekkig these unique species of monkeys is more adventurous compared to mountain gorilla trekking this is because they continuously move and you have to follow them though they move a little bit faster.

The trekking starts early morning after a briefing from the park headquarters, the trekking normally takes about 2-3 hours as they live on the lower slopes of the volcanoes compared to gorillas that live on higher elevations. There is no limited number of person allowed to trek golden monkeys meaning, you can go with a group of many friends and trek together.

The maximum age for golden monkey trekking is 12 years old and permits can be booked in advance or obtained that very day from the park headquarters. Golden monkey trwkki g permits costs only $60 for all foreigners and 40,000 Ugandan shillings for east African residents. Golden monkey habituation permits cost $100 for foreigners and 100,000 for East African residents.

Visitors can also join scientists, researchers and rangers in golden monkey habituation which is more interesting as you spend the whole day in the presence of these beautiful primates and learn a lot. You will need to pack your trekking gear like long sleeved clothes, garden gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, sun glasses and so much more for your golden monkey trekking experience.