GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING IN RWANDA:
A golden monkey tracking safari on your Rwanda primate safari is ideally a great experience for any primate enthusiast. Golden monkey tracking is undoubtedly an amazing wildlife safari experience and it presents visitors with a great opportunity to have an in-depth exploration about the unique characteristics of golden monkeys while they are in their natural habitat. Have a close encounter watching these striking and playful creatures in the bamboo forest. Golden monkeys are old-world monkeys and they are listed among the endangered species.
In Africa; Golden monkeys live only in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda in Volcanoes National Park, the Virunga Volcanoes in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti) are a sub-species of the Blue monkey and they credited for their unique traits. These strikingly beautiful creatures can easily be identified from the golden – orange patch on the upper flanks and back. And unlike other apes, their nostrils face upwards.
WHERE TO GO FOR GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING IN RWANDA:
Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park, one of the renowned mountain gorilla safari destinations in Africa. This park lies in North western Rwanda about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali capital city and forms part of the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA). It is set in Musanze, Rubavu, Nyabihu and Burera districts in the Northern Province of Rwanda.
The actual trek to view golden monkeys begins at 7:00am with briefing on safety measures and then a park ranger guide assignment to accompany you through the search for these rare apes.
Treks to see golden monkeys in Rwanda are done in the 2 habituated golden monkey groups with the biggest group thriving in Sabyinyo volcanoes comprising of 80-100 individuals. It is also the most explored group by visitors on a Rwanda tour in Volcanoes National Park. The other group is comprised of fewer members but it is equally amazing exploring it.
Volcanoes National Park also hosts a variety of wildlife species including the rare mountain gorillas and presently, 10 habituated gorilla groups exist for gorilla trekking. These include Susa A, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo group, Amahoro, Bwenge, Umubano, Hirwa, Ugenda, Agashya and Karisimbi (Susa B).
This park also hosts 5 of the 8 magnificent Virunga Massifs; Mount Gahinga, Bisoke Volcano, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo and Karisimbi Volcano. Over 200 bird species also live harmoniously with other wildlife in this park making it also an exceptional birding tour destination with opportunity to sight birds like the blue turaco, miombo wren warbler, Ross’s turaco, long tailed Cisticola and many others.
Fewer than 2500-3500 golden monkeys still exist in the world, including a section which thrives in the Albertine area in the Virunga Volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in DRC.
GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING PERMITS:
Golden monkey tracking permits are a must-have for every visitor trekking Golden monkeys in Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park. It is possible for you to obtain your golden monkey permit easily through a recognized operator or directly with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) reservation team at US Dollars 100.
All visitors are encouraged to reserve golden monkey permits about 3 months prior the actual tracking date.
IMPORTANT: Persons above 15 years are eligible to go golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park and a maximum of 8 visitors are allowed to engage in this rewarding primate adventure everyday.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING SAFARI IN RWANDA:
Pack wisely and lightly to have an enjoyable golden monkey tracking experience in Rwanda. Packing list includes a good camera, bottled drinking water, waterproof hiking boots, insect repellents, energy giving snacks, long sleeved shirts, rain jacket or poncho and others.
A detailed packing list will be provided on booking a Golden monkey tracking safari.
BEST TIME FOR GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING IN RWANDA:
Despite the fact that golden monkeys can be tracked at any time of the year, the dry season is considered to be the best time to go in a search for these beautiful apes in the wild. The dry season in Volcanoes National Park occurs in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. Traveling to trek golden monkeys during the wet or rainy season can be quite challenging as the park receives plenty of rainfall during this season leaving the forest trails and routes quite muddy & slippery, making the trek harder.
WHERE TO STAY WHILE ON GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING IN RWANDA:
Visitors on a Rwanda safari to Volcanoes National Park has a choice of several accommodation options ranging from Super Luxury to Budget options. They include: Bisate Gorilla lodge/Sabinyo silverback lodge/One & Only Gorilla nest lodge/Singita lodge/Volcanoes Virunga lodge / Five volcanoes/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Amakoro Songa lodge/ La Palme Hotel and others.
HOW TO GET TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK FOR GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING:
Volcanoes National Park is located in the Northern Province and covers 4 districts of; Rubavu, Nyabihu, Musanze and Burera. This park is reachable from Kigali – about 2 hours (130kms) and 76kms from Gisenyi which is 1 and half hours’ drive. From Musanze town, it is reachable about 13kms approximately 23 minutes drive.
From Kabale/Kisoro, it involves border crossing to reach Volcanoes National Park through Katuna and Cyanika borders which takes you about 3-4 hours’ drive.