Golden monkey trekking experience is the next exciting primates adventure after the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experience while on a safari to Uganda. The Golden monkey (Cercopithecus. n. kandti) is an Albertine Rift endemic and in Uganda, it’s restricted to the bamboo zones on Mgahinga Gorilla NP where the largest biggest population of this primate occur alongside the mountain gorilla. Often lumped up in a blue monkey complex group, the golden monkey is distinctive with grizzled golden back and cheeks, dark hands and legs occurring in large groups of over 100 individuals with a dominant male on top.
The Trek Experience
A golden monkey trek experience occur at Mgahinga Gorilla NP, where guided hikes are led to any of the two habituated groups that range between Sabyinyo and Muhabura bamboo belt. Trek visitors are required to check in early at trailheads where after a short briefing, groups of 8 will be led by ranger guides to visit a designated golden monkey troop. At the trailheads, you will be able to hire out a porter to carry that heavy backpack for you and also given a walking stick; please take it!
The gentle trails lead out to the bamboo belt set above 2500m asl where these charismatic monkeys feed mainly on new bamboo shoots on the forest floor, supplementing with fresh leaves and insect larvae. Once the feeding troop is located, clients spend only one-hour, watching, photographing and observing diverse interactions between these charismatic primates.
Golden Monkey Habituation vs Ordinary Trekking Experience
Golden monkey trekking expereince is offered in two different options. Visitors with time on their hands, can opt for a longer yet rewarding habituation trekking experience, where visitors join a research and tracking team to follow a near-habituated monkey troop, gaining insights into this Albertine endemic primate. On habituation trek experience you spend more time with the monkeys, which gives you ample photography opportunities and more insights into the social structure and its relationship with its fragile ecosystem. This longer time in this montane ecosystem gives you a chances to interact and observe other fauna including various endemic birds, bushbucks and appreciate the stunning scenery of these volcanic peaks.
Visitors on ordinary trekking experience visit a fully habituated golden monkey whose home range is well known making trekking duration shorter and relatively easy. On locating the monkey troop, visitors are only given One-hour, to photograph and watch the interaction.
What to pack for a Golden monkey tracking Experience
It is worth noting that the golden monkey in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla NP occur on higher altitudes along bamboo vegetational zone between 2500m-3000m asl and rarely coming to as low as 2000m to feed on the forest edge. Trekkers therefore are encouraged to park;
- Poncho/ rain gear
- Good hiking shoes
- Water proof backpacks
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sweat t-shirts and long trousers, nature blending colors advised.
- And of course a good attitude, you will need it!