Golden monkey trekking expereince in Rwanda offers an exciting adventure to come up-close to these charismatic and active primates across their natural montane habitats. The golden monkey trek expereince, is a worthy add-on adventure to Rwanda’s premier life-time treks of; mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experiences. The golden monkeys are active and highly mobile primates but also very photogenic due their preference to bamboo zone. The hike to the monkey home range is less strenuous and even much more affordable than to the two big apes. The trek expereince is mainly offered at Volcanoes National Park and at a-less-extent in Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
About the Golden Monkey
The golden monkey (Cercopithecus .m. kandt) is endemic to the montane habitats along the Albertine rift area restricted to the Virunga montane ranges shared between Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These characterful primates are characterized by a bright orange-golden body and cheeks contrasting with black limbs, crown and tail, the golden monkey occur in large groups favouring mostly the bamboo forest zone where fresh bamboo shoots and leaves make up the monkey’s main diet.
Golden monkeys occur in large social groups often led by a dominant male but comprising of female, young and subordinate males. In Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park hold the largest population of the golden monkey across its entire range, with a small population occurring in the regenerating Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
The trek experience
Golden monkey trekking expereince, just like mountain gorilla treks, are conducted daily from Volcanoes National Park, where visitors are required to check in at the park’s reception at 6am on a trek day. Following a briefing session on safety and expereince, the ranger guides will then lead out visitors on a trek up to the feeding and home range of the golden monkey. Once the troop has been located, visitors are allocated a maximum of one hour with the monkeys.
Golden monkeys are highly social primates, occurring in large troops numbering over 100 individuals with a dominant male at the helm. They are active and restless, foraging on every level of the bamboo forest from forest floor to the canopy, making the trek experience more exciting. The daily activity in golden monkey community begins immediately at dawn with monkeys socialising then leaving off to their feeding ranges across their home range. These usual morning and evening feeding peaks are interrupted by long rest periods where monkeys settle in to groom and play – an ample time for trekking visitors to observe diverse social behavior, human-like gestures and photograph opportunities.
What is the age limit and cost of golden monkey trekking permit in Rwanda
The golden monkey trek permit cost is 100 USD purchased by your certified tour operator handling your Rwanda primates tour or directly from the RDB portal. The age limit is restricted to 12 years.
Packing essentials for a golden monkey trekking expereince Rwanda
In preparing for a trek along the golden monkey, it is important to consider that these charismatic primates occur at higher altitudes in excess of 2400m. If there are any underlying challenges with altitude, prior advice from your personal medical practitioner is very crucial.
The packing list for Rwanda Golden Monkey trekking should include:
- Rain gear both for you and your cameras
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support
- Hand gloves for handling
- Thick, long pants/trousers (preferably waterproof), long-sleeved shirts, and long socks are crucial given that it gets cold at higher altitudes.
- Insect repellent and sun cream
- Hat
- Walking sticks are provided on the trailheads.
- Gaiters
- Water bottle