Golden monkey trekking in mgahinga national park

Golden monkey trekking in mgahinga national park: Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest national park in Uganda ranging of about 33.7 square kilometers. The Park is located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district bordering with both Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo, the park was gazetted in 1991 main to protect the endangered mountain gorillas but the park also has other activities and among those is Golden monkey trekking.

Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park is one of the most amazing activity done on Mgahinga national park. Golden monkeys jeopardized species with 3000-4000 members still left in the world. They always stay in large groups with about 100 individuals led by Alpha male and do not move a lot their always stay in one place at time unlike gorillas. They are different in color on their bodies like grey, back and beautiful shade of orange -gold and this is a reason why there are called golden monkeys. Golden monkeys always feed on small vertebrates, bamboo leaves, seasonal fruits, sprouts, leaves, lichens that are rich in the forest. Golden monkeys live in green bamboo forested conserved areas of Virunga volcanoes in Mgahinga national park. Golden monkeys are indigenous to the Albertine rift valley where they share home with endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga national park is the only place where golden monkey tracking is done in Uganda.

Golden monkey trekking activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park starts very in the morning at around 8am with an orientation of what to be expected during the tour. Then travelers start the trekking by hiking the forest in search if these Golden monkeys in their natural habitats using the Gahinga trail which takes them deep in forest full of noise and monkey activity that the golden monkeys exhibits, jumping from one tree to another as they play and eat. During this activity travelers are only allowed one hour to be with these golden monkeys once are encountered and after are tracked back to starting point. The activity it can take about 3 hours as monkeys live in the natural habitats. Children below the age of 12 age are not allowed to participate in this activity due to their safety.

In order for a successful golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park, travelers need to be well equipped with right gears like long sleeved shirts, rain jackets, water for refreshment while hiking shoe, insect repellants, binoculars energy giving eats, hiking stick among others, this is to protect you from any form of emergencies that can happen. You can as well hire a porter at the start of the trek o help you during the activity like carrying your luggage, supporting you when passing in slippery paths by pushing to acquire stamina.

Travelers to participate in this activity they need to first purchase golden monkey trekking ticket permits. The permit costs UGX 40,000 for East African citizen while the non-residents and residents pay USD 60 only per person and it can only be used once. The permit can be purchased licensed tour company or at the park headquarters in Ntebeko.

What is the best time for golden monkey trekking in mgahinga?

Golden trekking in Mgahinga national park can be done throughout the year so you can reach the park at any time of the year as you wish but the dry season is the best time to visit Mgahinga, the season’s starts in months of June to august. During this season you are likely to encounter few bugs which could cause malaria or other infections and also the vegetation is drier, this creates a clear view so finding forest trails for golden monkey tracking so easy for travelers.

How to reach mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga national park is located in south western region of Uganda 484.9 km from Entebbe to the park it can be accessed by both road and air transport means. By road one can drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara highway to the park for about 10-12 hours. And by air you can access the park using charter flights available for booking from Entebbe to Kisoro where travelers picked and transported to the park, travelers can as well opt to fly from Rwanda directly and be transported to the park but road which takes about 4 hours.