Golden monkey trekking permits are legal cards that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues to visitors over 15 years old. These permits allow them to visit habituated golden monkey families and spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. You can only do golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the smallest national park in Uganda, located in the southwestern region of Kisoro district. This park borders Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also harbors endangered mountain gorillas, a variety of bird species, and the three Virunga Mountains, among others.
Cost of Golden Monkey Trekking Permits in Uganda
Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cost 60 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 50 USD per person for foreign residents, and 40,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Golden monkey habituation permits in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cost 100 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 80 USD per person for foreign residents, and 100,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to Book Golden Monkey Trekking Permits
You can book Golden monkey trekking permits in Uganda either directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority by contacting the park offices via email or telephone calls. You can also book Golden monkey trekking permits in Uganda through Anthill Safaris, a trusted tour operator. Contact us with your preferred date, month, and year for your golden monkey visit. After you contact us, we will check for permit availability. If permits are available on your preferred date, we will ask you to deposit the permit. Once we receive your payment, we will purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Golden Monkey Trekking Experience in Uganda
Golden monkey trekking is an interesting and active activity that involves tourists moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of habituated golden monkeys. Once found, you spend one hour with them in their habitat. Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starts early in the morning, around 8:00 am, with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules, regulations, and expectations. After the briefing, you will receive an experienced park guide and begin trekking in the forest, following trails of leftover bamboo shoots and leaves. During the trek, you will view other primates, different plant species, and birds. Once you locate the golden monkeys, you can spend one hour with them in their natural habitat, where you can watch them jump in trees, observe them feed and play, take photos, and record videos.
Best Time to Go for Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda
You can do Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park all year round, though the best time is during the dry season, from June to September and December to February. During this period, less rainfall occurs in the national park; therefore, access roads to the park and golden monkey trekking trails will be dry and passable, which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are wet, muddy, and slippery, making trekking difficult.
Where to Stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has many accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange, and luxury, where you can stay during your golden monkey habituation experience, including Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Lake Chahafi Resort, Mucha Lodge, Travelers Rest Camp, Travelers Rest Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Lake Mulehe Hotel, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Mubano Hotel, Montana Guest House, among others.
How to Get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
You can access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by road transport. You will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, and then to the park headquarters, which takes about 9 to 10 hours in a 4WD safari vehicle.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can also be accessed from Kigali, Rwanda. You will fly to Kigali International Airport and then connect to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park via the Cyanika border in Kisoro or the Katuna border in Kabale, which takes about 4 to 5 hours.
It can also be accessed by air transport. You will book scheduled or charter domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
What are the rules of Golden Monkey Trekking?
- Avoid provoking the golden monkeys because you may stimulate them to charge at you.
- Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the mountain gorillas to avoid passing germs to them.
- Littering in the forest is forbidden as it alters the nature of the forest where golden monkeys thrive.
- Only 1 hour of golden monkey trekking and four hours of golden monkey habituation experience are allowed with these primates when you locate them during a golden monkey safari adventure.
- The age limit for golden monkey safaris is 15 years and above in Uganda and Rwanda, as the wilderness may be rough for a child below this age. Sometimes, mountain gorillas feed from deep in the forest, which may not be easy to withstand.
- Stand in a tight group when you locate the golden monkeys. They are highly sensitive to visitors around them, as they may look suspicious. In case they come closer, stealthily retreat.
- Use a flashless camera to take photos, and it should be soundproof.
- Wear a clean mask when you encounter golden monkeys and when you locate the golden monkeys.
What to Pack for your Golden Monkey Trekking Safari
Trekking to see the golden monkeys in their natural habitat is an exhilarating safari experience.
- A camera and extra batteries to take pictures and record videos.
- Insect repellent to protect your body from insect bites.
- Energy snacks like the packed lunch and drinking water.
- A walking stick to give you support during the golden monkey trek.
- Backpack to carry your golden monkey trekking essentials like insect repellent, rain jackets, and many others.
- Hiking boots/strong hiking shoes to keep your feet dry during the trek.
- A waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall.
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers to keep you warm and avoid insects from entering your trousers.
- Waterproof jacket and pants.
- Quick-drying trekking shirt.
- Bring a water bottle or hydration pack.
- Respect the park rules and regulations.
- Portable change for the tips and the souvenirs.
- Hand sanitizer and Face Mask.
- First-aid kit.
