Golden monkey trekking in Uganda : Uganda is pretty amazing and truly the pearl of Africa; giving an iconic opportunity of viewing the astonishing endangered golden monkeys with 3000- 4000 still left worldwide; black ,grey and a unique blend of orange gold in colour bringing about their name; golden monkeys and they love hanging out in groups of over 100 with the alpha male as their leader. Part of the monkeys under the primate family, taking a glimpse of them can be done on the slopes of the virunga range; a collection of volcanic mountains located at the border of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, but in Uganda, Mgahinga national game park in South Western part of Uganda in kisoro district offers you the feeling of golden trekking in uganda, Mgahinga is also part of the virunga range inhabiting the rare gorillas and endangered golden monkeys mainly spotted at the lower parts of the area,lower tree species. Jumping from tree to tree at a fast rate, swinging, playing and consuming bamboo leaves, seasonal fruits, flowers that are so plenty in the forest. These monkeys rarely change locations so can easily be traced by the pretrekkers via the gahinga trail, to the home of the golden monkeys where they make a lot of noise making you feel welcome and belonging.
Golden monkey habituation can also be done in the park if you want more time with them. Activities in Mgahinga are open throughout the year, with golden monkey trekking starting at 8am every morning, through the Gahinga trail, before considering to trek, every tourist should have a golden monkey trekking permit and habituation permit incase you want to experience the great feeling of being with the golden monkeys. The permits are purchased depending on nationality with foreign travellers and Uganda nationals paying 60 dollars and shs 40,000 respectively for trekking and paying 100dollars and shs 100000 for habituation. They can be purchased at Ntebeko or a known tour company operating with the park.
Before the trek that morning, you are briefed about what’s needed during the whole epic journey and what to expect; one is advised to wear flexible great hiking shoes, long sleeve clothes, insect repellent, carry some snacks and water for hydration and energy fuelling, a stick for support when trekking around the thick forest , porters are also available to help out ,you are even requested to carry binoculars for viewing the various bird species singing favoring bird watching of a lot of bird species that the forest harbors. You are given exactly 1 hour to spend with the golden monkeys once you encounter with them.this gives you the best chance to view the beautiful stunning creatures.
If you want more time with them ,then golden monkey habituation will work for you, giving the Chance of getting to know them better interms of behaviour and relationship with others.
Taking a walk away from the park may lead you to the a batwa pgymy community with alot of cultures to learn and witness,dances and drama to take part in.and also get to see their simple way of life.they do hunt small animals,build houses using local materials giving you a glimpse of a typical African community.
The park can be accessed either by road or flight, from the capital; Kampala ,it will take you 9 to 10 hrs by road and roughly 1 hour by a domestic flight ,boarded from Entebbe airport that will land at kisoro airstrip where you will connect to Mgahinga national game park.
Despite being open all year, the best condusive time to take part in trekking is during the dry seasons; that is to say between the months of January to February and June to September. Golden monkey trekking is one of the best activities to take part in while in Uganda and incase your looking for a place for your next adventure, golden trekking in Mgahinga national game park is an adventure not to miss.
