Golden monkeys are a relatively small primate species that are covered in long, golden hair and enjoy hanging around the stands of the bamboo forests. They are classified as an endangered species and in the Virunga’s bamboo forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Golden Monkeys live in groups of about 30 individuals or more roaming over a large territory in the Virunga volcanoes.

Golden monkey trekking is done in the mountainous area and with the primates continuously moving you are required to follow them. Golden monkeys are small and fast which makes tracking them an active and rewarding experience. Golden monkeys mainly prefer to rummage through the bamboo sections of the forest because they enjoy eating the young bamboo shoots.

Golden Monkey trekking starts early morning with a briefing at 7 am at the park headquarters before trekkers are placed in different groups. The trekking can take anywhere from 2 hours to several hours depending on where they nested the previous night and later spending an hour with the golden monkeys after spotting them.