Golden monkey tracking is one of the most exciting and joyful wildlife adventure you can experience while visiting Rwanda. These beautiful primates are famous for their bright, orange gold fur coats and their incredibly playful personalities. They live high up in the mountains within a special area called the Virunga Massif, which spans across Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic republic of Congo. Because they are listed as an endangered species, getting the chance to see them in their natural habitat is a rare and wonderful privilege. While many tourists travel to Rwanda majorly to see the famous mountain gorillas, tracking the golden monkeys is a fantastic, action-packed activity that offers a completely different and lively wildlife encounter.
Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda
Where to find the golden monkeys in Rwanda.
In Rwanda, golden monkey tracking takes place in the magnificent Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwestern part of the country near the town of Musanze. The park is home to two fully habituated troops of golden monkeys, meaning these specific groups have been gently trained by researchers over many years to feel completely safe and then comfortable around human visitors. The largest and then the most popular troop contains between 80 and 100 members and lives right at the base of Mount Sabyinyo.
Unlike other primates that might climb high up into the steep and rugged mountain peaks, golden monkeys prefer to stay in the thick, lush bamboo forests near the bottom of the mountains. This is because bamboo is their absolute favourite food, and they spend their days munching on fresh bamboo shoots, young leaves, and occasional forest fruits. because they live on the lower slopes where the ground is relatively flat and gentle, searching for them does not require heavy mountain climbing, making it a wonderful activity for the travelers of all ages and fitness levels.
What to expect on the day of the trek.
Your golden monkey adventure begins very early in the morning at the park headquarters in Kinigi, where all the trackers gather by 7:00am, here you will meet your professional park rangers and then guides who will give you a helpful safety briefing about how to behave around the primates. After the briefing, you will take a short drive to the edge of the forest and then begin your walk-through local farmlands before stepping into the thick bamboo jungle. The hike to find the monkeys can take anywhere from 30minutes to a few hours, depending on where the lively troop decided to sleep the night before.
Once your expert guides locate the monkeys, the excitement instantly begins, and you are allowed to spend one full hour observing them. Golden monkeys are incredibly fast, energetic and acrobatic creatures that do not sit still for very long. You will watch in amazement as they run along the forest floor, chase each other in the playful games, and then make massive, daring leaps from one bamboo branch to another. Because they are naturally curious and not shy around humans, they will often swing down from the treetops to eye level, giving you a front row seat to their busy social lives and daily routines.
How to get golden monkey permits and prepare for the trip.
To do this safari adventure, you must get an official tracking permit that is issued by Rwanda Development humans Board, which currently costs 100 USD for foreign visitors. This fee is very affordable compared to other primate treks and directly supports the park’s rangers, wildlife conservation efforts, and local community projects. The permits must always be booked days/weeks/months in advance if you are traveling during the busy summer months. Book the golden monkey permits with us
What to Pack for golden monkey tracking in Rwanda
When it comes to packing, the weather in the rainforest can change in a heartbeat, so you should wear a lightweight, waterproof rain jacket and then sturdy walking shoes with a good grip for the muddy trails. Long trousers and then long-sleeved shirts will protect your skim from the stinging nettles and then insect bites. If you are a photographer, you should set your camera to a fast shutter speed because these tittle monkeys move incredibly fast through the dark forest canopy. Unlike gorilla trekking safari, using a camera flash is actually permitted during golden monkey tracking, which is a wonderful bonus for capturing clear, beautiful photos of their bright orange fur.
Golden monkey tracking safari in Volcanoes National Park in an unforgettable adventure that offers you unforgettable safari memories in any Rwandan vacation. Walking through the misty bamboo forests and watching these rare, beautiful creatures through the air that is a heartwarming experience that connects you to natural world. By understanding where to go, how to prepare, and what to expect on the day of your trek, you can ensure a stress free and then magical journey into the heart of Rwanda’s wild mountains.
Wilder Africa Holidays organizes road trips to Volcanoes national Park with many choices of Packages as well customized packages for your travel. We offer free pickups from Kigali international Airport as it is very close to our offices. Contact us by sending us an email at info@wilderafricasafaris.com and we will plan for you accordingly.
