Often overshadowed by Rwanda’s premier adventure experiences, attractions of mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, the golden monkey trekking is another exciting adventure offered at Volcanoes National Park. Considered less strenuous and much more affordable, the golden monkey trek experience is a major highlight adventure that features on our Rwanda primate’ tours and for good reasons! Let us explore more…
The Golden monkey (Cercopithecus .m. kandt) is endemic to the montane habitats of the Albertine rift area and characterized by a bright orange-golden body and cheeks contrasting with black limbs, crown, and tail. Once abundant across its range, today the golden monkey is endangered, restricted to the Virunga montane ranges shared between Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. South of Volcanoes National Park, another small population of golden monkeys occur in Rwanda’s new national park of Gishwati-Mukura National Park where trek experience is also offered. Across this limited range, the golden monkey utilizes the bamboo forest zone where fresh bamboo shoots and leaves make up the monkey’s main diet.
Rwanda Golden Monkey Trekking Experience at Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trekking excursions, just like mountain gorilla treks, are conducted daily from Volcanoes National Park, where visitors are required to check in at the park’s reception at 6am on a trek day. Following a briefing session on safety and expereince, the ranger guides will then lead out visitors on a trek up to the feeding and home range of the golden monkey. Once the troop has been located, visitors are allocated a maximum of one hour with the monkeys.
Golden monkeys are highly social, occurring in large troops numbering over 100 individuals with a dominant male at the helm. They are active and restless, foraging on every level of the bamboo forest from forest floor to the canopy, making the trek experience more exciting. The daily activity in golden monkey community begins immediately at dawn with monkeys socialising then leaving off to their feeding ranges across their home range. These usual morning and evening feeding peaks are interrupted by long rest periods where monkeys settle in to groom and play – an ample time for trekking visitors to observe diverse social behavior, human-like gestures and photo opportunities.
Age limit and cost of Rwanda Golden Monkey trekking permit
The golden monkey trek permit costs 100 USD and ought to be pre-purchased directly from the RDB portal or through a certified tour operator handling your Rwanda primate tour. The age limit is restricted to 12 years.
Packing essentials for a Rwanda Golden Monkey trekking experience
In preparing for a trek along the golden monkey, it is important to consider that these charismatic primates occur at higher altitudes in excess of 2400m. If there are any underlying challenges with altitude, prior advice from your personal medical practitioner is very crucial.
The packing list for Rwanda Golden Monkey trekking should include:
- Rain gear both for you and your cameras
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support
- Hand gloves for handling
- Thick, long pants/trousers (preferably waterproof), long-sleeved shirts, and long socks are crucial given that it gets cold at higher altitudes.
- Insect repellent and sun cream
- Hat
- Walking sticks are provided on the trailheads.
- Gaiters
- Water bottle