Golden monkey Tracking in Uganda is done in Mgahinga gorilla national park located in south western Uganda in the district of Kisoro covering the total area of about 33.7 square kilometres. Mghahinga national park is a population of golden monkeys, and they over 2000golden monkeys recorded in the park during the Uganda primate safari, and other primates can be seen like mountain gorillas, birds, hiking which is always a great experience while on Uganda safari tour. These golden monkeys are active and playful primates which feed on bamboo, ripe fruits and they never stay in one tree they always move from one tree to another, and they are believed to be one of uganda’s20 primate species.
How golden monkey trucking in Uganda is done.
It is like how you see gorilla trekking. Golden monkey trucking starting with the visitor by arriving at park headquarters as early as 7am for briefing on dos and don’ts of trucking the golden monkeys. Hiking in the forests to truck golden monkeys is not as tiresome as trekking gorillas because the golden monkeys leave in the lower areas and the trucking takes only 2 hours and children below 12 years are not allowed to track the golden monkeys.
How to book for a permit for golden monkey trucking in Uganda
Golden monkey trucking permits in mgahinga gorilla national park can be booked from Uganda wildlife authority headquarters through the reservations office. or through a tourism company like Achieve Global Safaris. And these permits are supposed to be booked in advance to avoid missing out like in peak season.
Costs of golden monkey trucking to different residents.
Foreign non-residents 60 USD
Foreign residents 50 USD
Easter African countries 40000 UGX
Best time to do golden monkey trucking in Uganda
Golden monkey trucking can be done any time throughout the year. though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, December, July, August, February and September this is the best time because there is less rainfall making the trucking trails easily passible and accessed and you will have clear view on them because there is nothing disturbing them like rain so they will not hide.
What to carry while going for golden monkey trucking during the Uganda safari tour.
Shoes
As a trucker you should carry hiking boots that can pass in the forests and muddy trails and they should be comfortable so that in case of anything one can manage to run with them.
Clothing
Wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers to avoid scratches insect biting during the trucking, put on a hut or cape to protect yourself from sunshine.
Sunscreen
To protect your skin from the strong sun especially if you are trucking in an open area
Gloves
Gloves to help u protect you from rough vegetation or thorns because some you may want to separate vegetation that is attached together in order to create away but when you don’t have gloves it will hard.
Binoculars
Binoculars can enhance your experience, allowing you to observe the golden monkeys and other wildlife from a distance.
Insect repellent
The forest is a home of mosquitoes and other insects so carry your mosquito repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
Rules and regulations to follow while going for golden monkey trucking in mgahinga national park.
Do not feed them
Feeding them is strictly prohibited because it will alter their natural behaviours and health so it is not allowed.
Keep a safe distance
Maintaining a distance of at least 7 metres from golden monkeys. This helps to reduce the risk of transmitting disease to them like cough and flu and their natural behaviour is not disturbed.
Keep your camera lights off
When taking pictures, avoid using flash lights because it will disturb the monkeys they can even run away.
Don’t touch the Golden monkeys
The reason why one should not touch on these monkeys it is because they are wild, so human contact can cause them stress and also risk of disease transimition.
Age limit
While going for golden monkey tracking every one should be above 12 years of age kids below 12 years are not allowed to do the trucking but can-do other activities, like bird watching nature walks and others.
Noise is not allowed
Speak at low tone because loud tones can stress to them which may lead to attacking you because they be protecting them.
Practice safe sustainable tourism
While trucking the golden monkeys don’t litter in the park keep those water bottles until you get the dustbin, and others.
Other activities to do while on a golden monkey trucking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking
Which is one of the major activities in mgahinga gorilla national park where we find the nyakagezi gorilla group and trekking these gorillas it is unforgettable experience which one will get while on Uganda primate safari.
Bird watching
Mgahinga is rich in in birdlife, and it an excellent spot for birding, with over 115 bird species like Rwenzori turaco, red faced barbet, dusky turtle. Bird watching walks are a great way to explore the diverse eco system in the park.
Nature walks
There are several natures walks through mgahinga’s diverse eco system, from bamboo forests the walks provide opportunities to spot wildlife including primates like monkeys, birds while enjoying thebeautifulscenary you can choose where to walk according to your fitness.
Wildlife watching
Besides trucking golden monkeys and trekking gorillas, Mgahinga Gorilla National park is a home to various wildlife species like elephants, buffaloes, reptiles, insects that can be spotted while on a guided safari.
Where to sleep when you are going for golden monkey trucking in mgahinga gorilla national park
One can sleep in these hotels in order to do activities on time because they are the nearest so the visitor won’t miss anything like briefing. And here are some of them, mountain gahinga lodge, mountain gahinga rest camp, and Amajambere iwacu community camp. Though there are options in case one does do not want to sleep in these ones like Kisoro travellers rest, Virunga hotel, Kisoro tourist hotel to mention but a few.
