Golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park: Golden monkeys are part of the old world monkey family endemic to the Virunga conservation area in East Africa. Golden monkeys are one of the 20 primates found in Uganda and they are endangered species of primates. In Uganda, tourists who want to see golden monkeys can only meet them in one area and that is Mgahinga national park.
Mgahinga national park is a primate national park harboring two endangered species of primates which are the mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys. Mgahinga national park is part of the Virunga conservation area where golden monkeys are endemic. Golden monkeys are like other monkey species but what makes them differ from others by the upper back and flanks that have patches of golden orange color.
There are less than 4000 species of golden monkeys left in the world part of which can be seen in Mgahinga national park. Mgahinga national park golden monkeys do live in groups of about 100 individuals and these are called troops. Each golden monkey troop is led by an alpha male who protects and controls activities done by the members
Golden monkeys weigh 4.5 to 7kg, females are the smallest and the larger ones are males. Golden monkeys live for up to 19 years in the wild. They feed all day mainly on bamboo, a variety of fruits, lichens, flowers, sprouts, leaves, flowers, and small invertebrates. Golden monkeys are extraordinary and unique species of monkeys that every tourist needs to see while on their safari in the country.
Golden monkeys in Uganda are found in Mgahinga national park only and this is where tourists can go and spend some quality time with them. Golden monkey activities are carried out in the southwestern region of the country in Mgahinga national park. The golden monkeys live on the slopes of Virunga mountains like Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhavura on areas that have bamboo trees.
Golden monkey activities carried out in Mgahinga national park
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking is the most common activity done in Mgahinga national park where trekkers do spend 1 hour with already habituated monkeys. Golden monkey trekking is a very affordable activity cheaper than gorilla trekking as well as golden monkey habituation.
Golden monkey trekking does start with a briefing where trekkers are taught about the rules and regulations of the trekking activity. Unlike mountain gorilla trekking where 8 people trek a single family, golden monkey trekking can be done by more than 8 people. The trekkers are led in the jungle by ranger guides with firearms using different trails till they meet = 0the golden monkey family. A maximum of 1 hour is given to trekkers to watch the golden monkeys do daily activities, take photos and learn about their habits.
Golden monkey habituation
In the whole world, golden monkey habituation is only possible in Mgahinga national park. It’s an activity where trekkers get involved in things that make golden monkeys get used to human beings around them. With golden monkey trekking, tourists do get an opportunity of being with these beautiful primates for a maximum of up to 4 hours.
Like golden monkey trekking, habituation starts with a briefing to enable trekkers to know the rules and regulations of the activity. A limited number of trekkers does habituate golden monkeys and these are led by armed ranger guides together with researchers and conservations. After hours of searching and locating the monkeys, 4 hours are given to trekkers to be with monkeys, watch them daily activities, take photos and get involved in activities that make them get used to human beings around them.
How much do golden monkey permits of Mgahinga national park cost?
There are two types of golden monkey permits in Mgahinga national park. There are golden monkey trekking permits which are used by tourists that want to spend 1 hour with the primates and there are golden monkey habituation permits used by tourists that want to spend more than one hour with endangered chimpanzees.
A single golden monkey habituation permit does cost $100 for foreign non-residents, $80 for foreign residents, and UGX100,000 citizens of East African member states. The golden trekking permits of Mgahinga national park costs $60 for foreign non-residents, $ 50 for foreign residents, and UGX40,000 citizens of East African member states. The golden monkey permits are sold by UWA to people that are above the age of 12 years.
When to see golden monkeys?
Tourists that are interested in seeing the golden monkeys of Mgahinga national park can see them at any time of the year but there are months that are said to be better than the rest. The dry season months are the best to see golden monkeys and these happen from June to September and December to February. They are characterized by little rainfall which keeps trekking trails dry and easier to navigate, vegetation is short and scattered with good views of golden monkeys, and roads leading to Mgahinga are in a good state.
Travelers and here we talk about budget travelers can see the golden monkeys of Mgahinga during the rainy season because the park is always open. The rainy season has discounted lodges and tour packages but travelers should know that there is plenty of rainfall received in the park. The rainfall makes trekking trails muddy and slippery which slows down the speed of trekkers, vegetation is tall with unclear views of wildlife, and roads connecting to Mgahinga are in poor conditions.
