How and Where to Buy Golden Monkey Permits in Rwanda: Rwanda is famous for mountain gorilla trekking, but there is another primate experience in Volcanoes National Park that deserves just as much attention. Golden monkey trekking is a thrilling, accessible, and deeply rewarding activity that pairs perfectly with a gorilla safari. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
What Are Golden Monkeys?
Golden monkeys are small, striking primates with round cheeks, a vivid reddish-gold back, and deep-brown, alert eyes. They live in large social groups of up to 60 or even 100 individuals, led by a dominant male. Because their diet consists mainly of bamboo shoots and leaves, they live exclusively in the bamboo forest zones of the Virunga Mountains. Much about their daily behavior is still being studied, which makes every encounter feel like a genuine discovery.
Where Can You Trek Golden Monkeys?
Golden monkeys live only in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains, which span three countries. You can trek them in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in the DRC. Each park has habituated troops available for daily excursions. This guide focuses on Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s premier primate destination.
How Much Does a Golden Monkey Permit Cost?
Golden monkey trekking permits in Rwanda are priced as follows:
- Foreign non-residents – $100
- Foreign residents and East Africans – $80
- Rwandan citizens – RWF 4,000
Unlike gorilla permits, golden monkey permits are rarely in short supply. Even during peak season, availability tends to be good. That said, we recommend booking in advance, especially if you plan to combine golden monkey trekking with a gorilla safari on the same trip.
Where to Buy a Golden Monkey Permit
You can purchase a permit directly from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) office in Kigali or online through the official IREMBO website. Alternatively, a tour operator like Anthill Safaris can handle the entire process for you, from buying the permit to arranging transport and accommodation. Full payment is required at the time of booking — deposit payments are not accepted for golden monkey permits.
To complete your booking, you will need to provide your full name, passport details, email address, and phone number. Once purchased, the permit is valid for two years from the date of purchase, provided you have not already used or rescheduled it.
What Does the Permit Include?
How and Where to Buy Golden Monkey Permits in Rwanda. Your permit covers an expert trekking guide, two armed park rangers for security, park entrance, and one hour with the golden monkey troop. The permit does not cover porter fees, meals, snacks, drinking water, or accommodation.
The minimum age for golden monkey trekking is 15 years, and a maximum of 16 people are allowed to trek a single troop per day.
What Happens on Trek Day?
How and Where to Buy Golden Monkey Permits in Rwanda. All trekkers report to the visitor center in Kinigi by 7:00 a.m. for permit validation. Bring your original permit or your IREMBO booking reference number. After a safety briefing, your group sets off into the bamboo forest with your guide and rangers. Your guide stays in radio contact with trackers who monitor the troop’s location throughout the morning.
Once you find the golden monkeys — and you will — you have exactly one hour with them. At first, they may be leaping between bamboo trees high above you. Within minutes, they usually descend to the forest floor, where you can watch them feed, play, and interact at close range. It is genuinely magical.
Trekking Rules to Follow
- Stay at least 8 meters from the golden monkeys at all times
- Do not provoke or try to touch them
- Turn off your camera flash and keep noise to a minimum
- Do not litter in the forest
- Stand in a tight group when the monkeys are nearby — if they approach, quietly step back
- Wear a clean face mask when near the monkeys
- If you feel unwell, do not trek — diseases can pass from humans to primates
What to Pack
Golden monkey trekking takes you through high-altitude rainforest, so pack for wet, uneven terrain. Bring waterproof hiking boots with strong ankle support, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, a warm fleece or sweater, and a waterproof rain jacket. However, add a hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and energy snacks for the trail. For photography, bring a camera with a zoom lens and binoculars for close-up views from a safe distance. Always carry your gear in a waterproof backpack.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
The dry season — from June to September and December to February — offers the best trekking conditions. Trails are drier and easier to walk, and the forest is more navigable. However, Volcanoes National Park is a rainforest, so rain can fall at any time of year. Always come prepared with waterproof gear regardless of the season.
Is Golden Monkey Trekking Safe?
Yes. Every trek is led by trained, experienced guides who understand golden monkey behavior and know how to keep everyone safe. On the other hand, Armed park rangers accompany all groups. Before entering the park, all trekkers are health-screened to prevent any transmission of illness to the primates. However, the habituated troops are calm around humans and are not aggressive toward visitors.
Other Activities in Volcanoes National Park
After your golden monkey trek, there is plenty more to explore. Trek mountain gorillas for the ultimate primate double, hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke or Mount Karisimbi for sweeping views, go birdwatching among over 180 species including rare Albertine Rift endemics, or visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to experience traditional Rwandan dance, crafts, and storytelling.
Contact Anthill Safaris at info@anthillgorillasafaris.com to book your golden monkey trekking permit, plan your full Rwanda safari, or get a free quote tailored to your travel dates and interests.
