Golden monkey tracking is one of the major activities done on a safari to Rwanda. Golden monkeys are one of the primate species scientifically known as Cercopithecuskandti. Golden monkeys, sometimes back where mistaken with the blue monkeys (Cercopithecusmitis), which almost look alike however the golden monkeys have a golden patch at their back.
Golden monkeys are among the endangered species according to the IUCN red list. The golden monkeys can be seen in Volcanoes National Park and there are a few places elsewhere where they can be seen; Mgahinga National park in Uganda, Kahuzi-Biéga and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. These fast moving primates prefer highland areas with bamboo trees and much fruits because it’s what they mostly feed on.
The golden monkeys are also very endangered and are also limited to the Virunga mountain ranges that cover the whole DRC, Uganda and Rwanda, these are the only countries were the tourists can get a chance to track and see them at up close. They mostly live in bamboo forests and the vegetation at the far base of volcanoes Mountains. The eat bamboo shoot and have got two habituated troops with in the park and the large troop in Sabyinyo and has got 80 to 100 members and this one is the most visited group. The permits for tracking the golden monkeys cost $100 and there is no limitation to how many people can do the trek. There is also no age limit.
Quick Facts About Golden Monkeys
Golden monkeys move between areas depending on seasons, they are mostly found in a bamboo area in a rainy season just because bamboo shoots come out as in the rainy season which are most preferred by this species and also found in an area with fruits especially in the ripening period.
They live in groups ranging from 2-62 monkeys in a given group. Smaller groups are normally found at a higher altitude while the large ones at a lower elevation. They sleep in groups of four at the top of bamboo trees. They always return to their sleeping area after feeding every day.
Young Bamboo fruits, leaves, branchelets, flowers, shoots and shrubs are there most preferred foods however; golden monkeys are opportunistic feeders in that they feed more on a given type of food depending on the season. For example golden monkeys tend to feed more on fruits in the ripening season.
The conservation of golden monkeys is becoming more difficult due to some activities which increase the threatening of these primate species. Such activities include poaching, destruction of their habitats by cutting the bamboo treeswhich are serious threats to their survival.
The Activity of Tracking Golden Monkeys in Rwanda
Volcanoes national park consists of two habituated golden monkey groups, one comprising of about 80-100 monkeys situated at the base of Mt Sabinyo. Similar to gorilla trekking, golden monkeys trekking is also done in the morning which starts with a short briefing about the dos and don’ts while with the monkeys and later head into the forest in search for the gorilla in the forest. On reaching the monkeys, visitors are permitted to spend a maximum of 1 hour while with these primates.
Tracking golden monkeys begins at the park headquarters in Kinigi at exactly 7:00am. A permit costs $100 per person per visit and there is no fixed number of people allowed to visit the monkeys. Permits can be reserved in advance or booked in the morning on the trekking date at the park headquarters and it is much recommended to hire porters while going for the trekking as these assist in carrying luggage.
Golden Monkey Tracking is an exciting adventure that will give you an impressive coincidence with these wonderful species of monkeys that are known as the golden Monkeys. These have also got protruding golden fur coat, and this also adds to their allure and are so lovely just to look at and give an excellent photography. The golden monkey tracking is filled with famous gorilla trek and is mostly done as an additional activity to gorilla trekking with in Volcanoes National park.
Please note that there is also one session for golden monkey tracking the whole day and takes place so early in the morning like other tourist activities in volcanoes national park. The visitors have to report at the headquarters by 7am where they will meet the ranger guides for the briefing and then will drive to the starting point of the trek and this takes only 15 minutes away from the edge of the park.
These monkeys will also be found since they mostly live at the bottom of the Volcano Mountains with in the bamboo forest, and by following the traces of the fresh leftovers from the bamboo shoots eaten. The trackers are also able to locate them with less than an hour. The visitors also spend 1 hour watching the beautiful creatures as they pick the bamboo shoots and also make the vast leaps from the trees and this is also possible with their long trails that provides balance. These long trails can also get so stuck by the bamboo and these are cut off as you will view some monkeys with the short trails.
The monkeys also spend most of their time at the top of the bamboo and then climb trees to the eye level and on the ground. They are also the shyest monkeys you can come close to within a meter. They are so delightful for the photography and the flash is allowed yet not allowed for other primate species, like the gorillas and the chimp treks. The monkey species also love the camera flashes and also love making out of the park into the open potato fields in order to eat the Irish potatoes that are left behind after the harvest. These monkeys also dig and clean the potatoes before eating and this is so amazing to watch.
This trek is less active in volcanoes National park and the monkeys also live at the floor of the mountain with in the bamboo forest and the terrain is also flat and easy to hike. This only needs basic fitness to hike in order to see these great creatures. What to carry while participating in the trek also includes; the hiking shoes, drinking water, a rain jacket, a camera with a flash.
Travel Tips
Golden monkeys are gentle primates which jump from tree to tree on their branches which is interesting however it becomes difficult to take photos. So we highly recommend all trekkers to set their Cameras in a fast shutter-speed to enable capture good photos in dense and low light areas where the monkeys are found.
Trekking golden monkeys is one of the incredible and adventurous activities you may do in Volcanoes National Park rewarding memorable experiences for a life time.
For further information about the golden monkeys or get help in reserving/booking a golden monkey permit or any other assistance about a safari to Rwanda, don’t hesitate to check out our recommended list of Rwanda Tour Operators.