Trekking golden monkeys of Mgahinga National Park
Trekking golden monkeys of Mgahinga National Park: On a safari to Mgahinga National Park, tourists have a variety of activities to do, with the most famous being mountain gorilla trekking. Golden monkey trekking is another popular activity done within this park, giving tourists an opportunity to see these primates in the bamboo vegetation on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes.
Golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga conservation area; on a safari to Uganda, they can only be found in Mgahinga National Park. The golden monkeys within this park are wild and habituated. Others are still going through habituation before being open to the public for visits and participating in activities which enable one to see golden monkeys in the wild, jumping from one tree to another or doing other daily activities like eating and mating.
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park fits in your Uganda safari itinerary. It’s one of the activities you don’t have to miss out on if you are still in the country. From gorilla trekking, which is every traveler’s dream, golden monkey trekking can be done if a traveler has enough time on a safari. Tourists who book safaris using licensed tour operators can get a well-organized travel program with the top things to see while in the country.
Want to do golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park safari? This article will help you know what the activity is about, the things you need, the best time to visit, and a lot more. We look at golden monkey trekking, the activity that comes with 1 hour around the primates, the cost of the trekking permit, and the best time to carry out the activity.
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga starts early in the morning at the park headquarters at Ntebeko. Trekkers gather here for a briefing from the park clerk and entertainment from the local people. When the trekkers arrive, the driver guides help them to submit their trekking permits or pay at the offices using mobile money or bank.
Trekkers are entertained by the local dancers, and later, a briefing about the rules and regulations of the activity is done. The trekkers are grouped, not exceeding 8 people, and given armed ranger guides to lead them into the jungle. Those who have excess luggage are able to hire porters at a fee. The driver guides are told where they are to start their activity from, and they either drive or walk there.
Trekking for the golden monkeys is done by armed ranger guides and the trekkers who use different trekking trails to search where these primate species could be. As they go through different vegetation types, they discover the different attractions within the park, including mammal species, primate species, birds, and water sources.
After hours of searching, the golden monkeys are usually found in bamboo shoots playing from one tree branch to another, resting, hunting food, mating, or breastfeeding. The trekkers get an opportunity to learn about their habits by asking the armed ranger guides different questions about them. Trekkers also get an opportunity to take photos and record videos for memories.
After having a great time around the golden monkeys, trekkers are asked to trek out of the jungle, and they still have chances of spotting the different attractions within the forest. They are awarded golden monkey trekking certificates for participation and conservation of these endangered animals.
What is the cost of trekking golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park?
To trek golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park, tourists need a golden monkey trekking permit issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The permit can be sold to licensed tour operators and to people above the age of 12 years. Each costs $60 for foreign non-residents, $50 for foreign residents and the rest of Africa, while Citizens of East African member states pay UGX40,000.
Apart from the golden monkey permits, tourists need to pay an entrance fee to access the park. It’s $40 for foreign non-residents, $30 for foreign residents, $25 for Rest of Africa, and UGX20,000 for citizens of East African member states. Tourists who intend to carry out the golden monkey permits will always find the permits available because they can’t sell out.
When is the best time for golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga?
Golden monkeys can be visited all throughout the year in Mgahinga National Park; however, there are months better than others. The dry months of the year, June to September and December to February, are the best for the activity because they have little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. This keeps the trekking trails dry and easier to navigate; the vegetation is short, giving good views of the golden monkey, and there is clear photography.
Tourists may still visit Mgahinga in the rainy season of March to May and October to November. This season comes with benefits like discounted accommodation and tour packages, but tourists should know that there is plenty of rainfall within the park. The trekking trails are muddy and slippery, vegetation is tall, and roads to the park are in poor condition.
Where to stay while on a safari in Mgahinga National Park?
Tourists on a safari in Mgahinga National Park who are looking at staying around the park for a night or more have a lot of accommodation facilities to stay at. They include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Travelers Rest Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Mgahinga Gorilla Trail Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, and Lake Mutanda Resort among others.
