Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes national park is one of Rwanda’s national parks and is renowned for being the habitat of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. The Volcanoes national park is also home to other primates, with golden monkeys being the most prevalent. The golden primates are an endemic species to the Virunga region and can be found in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Golden monkey is a subspecies of the Blue monkey or Sykes monkey. These monkeys typically reside in families of up to sixty individuals. They are distinguished by the vibrant orange fur that covers their entire bodies. The golden monkeys consume fruits, bamboo shoots, and small insects, and spend the majority of their time swaying from tree branch to tree branch. On a golden monkey trekking safari experience in the Volcanoes national park, it is preferable to savour the moment instead of attempting to take a photograph, as it will be difficult.
The Golden monkeys are designated as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), just like the mountain gorillas, whose population is thought to number no more than 1,000 individuals worldwide. There are approximately 5,000 golden monkeys left in the globe, and they exist only in the Virunga mountain range. The Virunga ranges are an eight-mountain complex of volcanic mountains extending along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mount Karisimbi, Mount Mikeno, Mount Muhabura, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Nyiragongo, and Mount Nyamulagira comprise the Virunga Range Mountains, and their slopes are home to golden primates and mountain gorillas.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
You can only visit the golden primates in four national parks: Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park.
However, trekking golden monkeys in the Mgahinga gorilla national park is an eventful and wonderful safari experience because you get to do a four-hour long habituation of these playful and interesting creatures. Those who choose to observe golden monkeys on a safari in Uganda will spend considerable time in the golden monkeys’ natural habitat. Researchers and knowledgeable ranger guides accompanied by skilled trackers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority will accompany you.
Trekking golden monkeys in Rwanda is a wonderful safari option and choice for tourists because the safari activity is well-developed. The Rwandan government and Volcanoes National Park are extremely well-organized, and the country is safe, so you need not fret about your activity. Golden monkey trekking safari, unlike mountain gorilla trekking, has no age restriction, so anyone intrigued can participate.
The golden monkey trek is a full-day activity that begins as early as 7:30 am with a morning briefing at the Volcanoes national park offices. During the briefing, you are informed of what to expect during the trek and the expected code of conduct while in the forest. You also have the option to hire a porter to assist with your extra luggage, if necessary, and to collect your hiking stick before entering the forest.
Trekking golden monkeys is a more expedient endeavor than trekking mountain gorillas because you will encounter golden monkeys in a lesser amount of time. Due to the fact that they leave no trace of their existence, this does not imply that it is a less difficult activity; you will need to exert effort and be vigilant. The golden monkeys can be tracked by spotting leftover bamboo shoots. When you encounter them, you will observe them swinging from tree branch to tree branch, and the best way to capture an image may be by setting your camera to a fast shutter speed.
You will be able to appreciate the golden monkeys of the Volcanoes national park because they are habituated and will not be frightened by your presence. You will spend one hour with Rwanda’s golden primates, and there are several Rwanda safari packages that include a golden monkey trek. Permits for golden monkey trekking in the Volcanoes national park can be purchased for $100 per permit per person, and it is recommended to reserve one in advance to avoid disappointment.