Golden Monkey trekking in Rwanda
Golden monkey trekking is an enthralling activity that you should include on your African safari, particularly on a Rwanda safari. The experience is only available in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Virunga Mountains. This is in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, golden monkeys are an endangered species with just around 5000 individuals living in the Virunga hills. And they have been mostly impacted by agricultural habitat degradation.
Golden monkeys are distinguishable from other species by their lovely golden fur coats and endearingly cheeky personalities, making them fascinating to observe. Golden monkeys are naturally inquisitive creatures who like hopping between tree branches. They mostly consume bamboo shoots, tree branches, insects, and occasionally ripe fruits. They have been spotted raiding the gardens around the park for potatoes on occasion. Unfortunately, they are prey to golden eagles.
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Golden Monkeys in Rwanda
Two habituated golden monkey troops are available for hiking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The largest group, which numbers around 80 to 100 individuals, live on the slopes of Mt. Sabinyo. It is also the most often visited troop. There are additional golden monkey groups in Gishwati Forest Reserve and Nyungwe National Park, but they are not habituated and hence not available to visitors.
The Trek
The golden monkey trekking expedition at Volcanoes National Park is completed in a single session. Please keep in mind that a trekking permit is required to trek golden monkeys. The activity begins at 7:30 a.m. with a lecture at the Kinigi Park Headquarters presided over by park rangers, during which guests are instructed on the laws and procedures for golden monkey trekking. Trekking golden monkeys is less difficult than trekking mountain gorillas since the individuals reside at the base of volcanoes. However, given the nature of the terrain, energy and physical fitness are still essential.
Finding these jumpy monkeys is difficult since they are mobile and leave little evidence of their whereabouts other than leftovers of their meal, particularly new bamboo shoots. Unlike gorillas, golden monkeys live in trees and only come down to eat bamboo shoots on occasion. After meeting the golden monkeys, guests are given an hour to see the animals in their natural environment. You may see them feeding, playing, and jumping between tree branches with their long tails. Visitors must follow them slowly as they leap from tree to tree because they are rarely in one place. Golden monkeys are quite curious and will frequently try to approach tourists.
Visitors are taken back to the Park headquarters for recognition and certification after spending an hour with the monkeys. Trekking with golden monkeys might take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the habituated troop and the speed of the trekkers.
Golden monkey habituation experience
The golden monkey habituation experience is available for those who want to spend more time with the golden monkeys. The experience allows visitors to spend up to four hours with the monkeys. This is accomplished by allowing for regular visits. Every day, visitors join a group of researchers and rangers to watch, investigate, and learn about these magnificent primates. They frequently have to be tracked until they calm down enough for guests to view and observe them.
Best time to Trek Golden Monkeys in Rwanda
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda may be added on to a gorilla trekking safari, but it can also stand alone for those on a restricted budget or who prefer these primates. The golden monkeys may be seen at any time of year. The optimum time to hike them, however, is during the dry months of December to February and June to September. Trekking golden monkeys during the wet season might be challenging because of the slippery terrain and rough trekking pathways. Nonetheless, the wet season is a fantastic time to visit the primates, especially if you prefer less crowded hikes in the park. The rainy season typically lasts from March to May and October to November.
What to Bring on a Rwanda Golden Monkey Trekking Safari
- Good hiking boots for the forest’s rugged terrain.
- Bring plenty of drinking water as well as a packed lunch or snacks in case of thirst or hunger.
- A nice camera for taking images of the monkeys.
- A rain poncho or jacket because the weather in the tropical jungle is unpredictable.
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirts to defend against prickly plants and sharp branches.
- pest repellent to keep pest bites at bay.
- A hat and sunglasses, as well as a walking stick for help throughout the hike.
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