Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden Monkey Trekking
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.
What to Carry on your Golden monkey trekking adventure
- Insect repellent to keep away the bugs
- Packed lunch and energy bites
- Water to keep you hydrated,
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers for protection from twigs and bug bites
- Waterproof hiking boots
- A walking stick for extra support sometimes the paths are slippery.
Rules and regulations while Golden monkey tracking
Just like Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking, Golden monkey Trekking also has rules and regulations governing this adventure
- In case you realize that you have the flu or diarrhea, please don’t enter the park for the conservation of the Golden Monkeys. Your money will be refunded, or you will be allowed to track at a later date.
- Avoid eating near the chimpanzees to ensure that they don’t attack you.
- Children below the age of 12 are prohibited from entering the park.
- Maintain a distance of just about 8m between you and the chimps to avoid them from feeling suffocated.
- The Uganda Wildlife Authority guide is the only one to help get access to the forest.
- Chimps need freedom therefore no provoking them once you enter the park.
- Flash photography is not allowed in the park.
- Do not litter the park, please carry back whatever you take with you.
Golden monkey habituation experience activity is only found in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and you are allowed to spend a full day with golden monkey led by a team of researchers, ranger guides and trackers.
The habituation process takes about 3 years for the golden monkeys to get used to human presence. Golden Monkey Trekking can be added onto your Gorillas and Wildlife Safari to make it more memorable.