Golden Monkeys

Golden monkeys are not be known among the primates, but they are extraordinarily unique and truly rare species. The monkeys are scientifically called Cercopithecus Kandti. The golden monkeys are highly endangered species of primates in Uganda and other parts of Africa. This is the genuine reason as to why the golden monkeys are rare in Uganda. The monkeys, get there name from the golden-orange and black silver colour on their fur and this is one of their aesthetic features.

Despite the rareness the monkeys carry, the golden monkeys still emerge out the best and most interesting primates to trek. The trekking of the golden monkeys in Uganda is an adventurous activity done in the highlands of Mgahinga national park which is found in the southwestern region in Uganda. You can also find the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It is important to note that the golden monkeys can only be found in the national parks which make up the Virunga conservation area. This means that the golden monkeys just like the mountain gorillas are not lowland primates, they love to stay in areas of a relatively high landscape elevation.

Golden monkeys in Uganda are best found in Mgahinga National Park if at all you would love to try out a new thing or activity of tracking the monkeys. The bamboo forest of Mgahinga National Park provides the best dwelling place for the rare golden monkeys. 

Unique Features About Golden Monkeys

The golden monkeys have got quite a number of unique features from the appearance on the outlook which makes them really attractive. The monkeys are fast compared to other primates, so if you are to take some photos, you will have to be fast. The golden monkeys are extremely playful and they love to jump up in the bamboo forest. Most of the monkeys in Mgahinga national park are habituated for visitors.

Despite the fact that the golden monkeys are found in the highland areas, they do not stay in very high altitudes as compared to the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga national park. This makes monkey trekking affordable by almost all people irrespective of the factors that would have hindered. The golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park love to stay in the lowland bamboo forests. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about climbing the mountain for golden monkeys since you can easily find them in the lowland bamboo trees in Mgahinga National Park.

The golden monkeys are very social primates, just like the other animals that fall in the Hominidae family. They live in large groups on the lower slopes of Mgahinga National Park. They are really expeditious animals. They quickly move fast as they play in the bamboo trees. If at all you want to keep track of them, you must be fast enough to catch up with the speed. The monkeys have a distinctive diet compelling to the kind of environment in which they dwell. The monkeys in Mgahinga National Park feed on bamboo shoots, leaves, fruits, flowers from trees and small shrub plants. You can equate the monkeys to the pandas in japan, because, they all feed on bamboo shoots.

Permits For Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda

The golden monkeys are only found in Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. However, you can also find them in Rwanda and Virunga National Park and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. The activity of monkey tracking in Uganda is not as famous as mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. Despite that, the Uganda Wildlife Authority stipulated prices for the travellers who would love to take part in this interesting activity in Mgahinga National Park.

The golden monkey trekking permits go for as low as USD 50 for foreign non-residents, the same applies to the foreign residents and UGX 20,000 for the East African citizens. These prices are much cheaper compared to mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park, yet, you can also spot a lot more during the golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park.

Your payment for monkey trekking permit is very much paid off because you get a chance to spend an hour with these unique primates of Mgahinga National Park. You also get a chance to see other primates like monkeys and baboons, and with good luck, you can find the mountain gorillas along the trekking trail. Therefore, going for the monkey experience in Mgahinga national park is a real-life jackpot for the best primate safari in Uganda.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues the monkey trekking permits, however, you don’t have to go to the headquarters to acquire your monkey trekking permit, trust Vibrant Holiday Safaris for a smooth memorable experience. The monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga National Park are quite cheaper than the Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale National Park, therefore, make sure you engage in this activity when you visit Uganda on a safari.