Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden Monkey Tracking is exceptional to do as you get to track and watch the orange colored monkeys in their natural habitat and ecology.  The Golden Monkey tracking experience takes place in the Virungas at National Parks i.e Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

The Golden monkeys are endangered with a population of about 2,000 to 4,000 individuals across its distribution. Notable for their golden-orange fur overlaying dark limbs, golden monkeys live in social groups typically led by an alpha male. Group sizes vary from as few as 3 to over 60 depending on habitat and food availability.

Diet & Habitat Preferences

Their main food sources include bamboo shoots, leaves, fruits, flowers, shrubs, and occasional invertebrates. They frequent mixed fruit-and-bamboo areas seasonally, especially shifting to bamboo-rich zones during new growth.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden Monkey Tracking adventure is exceptional for all travelers on holiday vacation in Uganda and Rwanda. The tracking adventure takes you a period of 2 to 4 hours, with 1 hour dedicated to observing the monkeys.

You shall follow them through the thick green forest vegetation and when you meet them take many photos of then as you traverse from one point to another.

The Hiking Adventure involves hiking through bamboo zones. They stay in candid groups of 6 to 8 travelers and can be tracked with a valid tracking permit which costs US $100 per person interested.

Best Time to Visit

June–August and December–February are the driest months, offering better trail conditions hence very ideal for travelers to watch the Golden Monkeys.

Practical Tips

  • Briefing starts around 7:30–8:00 AM, followed by the hike and one-hour observation period.
  • Gear recommendations: hiking boots, long sleeves and pants, walking sticks, rainwear, insect repellent, water, camera, and binoculars.
  • Safety protocols include wearing masks to prevent disease transmission and maintaining approximately 7 meters distance from the monkeys.