Golden Monkey Permits in Uganda
Explore more about golden monkey permits in Uganda, the cost, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park, how to book a golden monkey permit, best time, and everything else you need to learn about golden monkey tracking adventure & permits.
Golden monkey permits are essential tools any trekker should have in order to see golden monkeys in Uganda. With golden monkey permits, visitors get a chance to embark on golden monkey trekking. Trekking with golden monkeys in their natural habitat can be captivating and leave lasting memories.
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga
Mgahinga National Park is the only destination in Uganda where golden monkeys live and can be trekked. Golden monkey trekking experience in Mgahinga mainly involves walking through the lush bamboo forest and rainforest to see golden monkeys. The guided golden monkey trek involves searching for an already habituated troop of golden monkeys in the wild.
The golden monkey trek starts with a briefing about the rules and allocation of ranger guides from Mgahinga National Park. This is done by the officials from Mgahinga, and the session is expected to begin at around 8:00 am. Trekking with golden monkeys from Mgahinga can run for about 2-5 hours, but this may vary depending on the location of these charming primates.
Golden monkeys, like other animals, move in search of what to feed on. They shouldn’t be expected to be seen in one location. When taking pictures, you are also advised to be sharp enough because they tend to be jumpy, often moving from tree to tree. About 4500 golden monkeys currently exist in the wild, and they are distributed in the Virunga region.
Golden monkey treks aren’t tiring like trekking to mountain gorillas. Golden monkeys live in troops, and each troop can consist of 100 individuals, including a mature male, an Alpha male that leads the troop.
What is golden monkey trekking? Golden monkey trekking is an active and thrilling adventure involving a guided walk through the forest. This adventure involves searching for already habituated golden monkey troop, and a maximum of one hour is given for up close and personal encounter.
Golden monkey habituation
Mgahinga National Park also offers a captivating golden monkey habituation experience. It is only in Mgahinga where the habituation experience is offered. Golden monkey habituation marks the first stage in which the wild troop of golden monkeys are converted to get used to human presence. Conservationalists, trackers, or scientists get involved in the habituation, a process that often takes about 2 years.
The daily golden monkey habituation experience offers visitors more time to learn about the unique behaviors of golden monkeys. A maximum of 4 hours is availed to tourists who embark on golden monkey habituation. The long 4 hours are spent mainly for observing how the golden monkeys behave, their body gestures, and taking pictures
How much are the golden monkey permits in Uganda
Uganda golden monkey include normal trekking and for habituation experience. The permits vary in terms of prices, especially based on the visitor category. The foreign non-residents interested in trekking golden monkeys in Uganda can book a permit at USD 60 per person, foreign residents can book permits at USD 50 per person, while East African Community citizens pay UGX 40,000.
Golden monkey habituation is a unique adventure in Uganda awaits you. Permits for golden monkey permits habituation cost USD 100 for foreign non-residents per person, USD 80 for foreign residents per person, and Shs. 100,000 for East African citizens.
When and how to book golden monkey permits in Uganda
Golden monkey permits in Uganda should be secured early at least about 2-3 months in advance before the actual trekking date. Use a recognized tour operator like Bujuku Eco Tours & Travel, to book your golden monkey permits, whether for usual treks or habituation experiences.
Eligibility of golden monkey permits in Uganda
Golden monkey permits in Uganda are available for booking by persons above 12 years. Anyone within this age bracket stands a chance to participate in the trek to see golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. To ease the booking process, you will be required to share your personal details/bio data of your passport. The copy of your passport page should contain names, photo, nationality, passport number, and other details essential for booking your golden monkey permit.
The price of golden monkey permits include park entrance fees, golden monkey trekking experience, guide services, and a magical encounter with a troop of golden monkeys. The cost of golden monkey permits excludes the cost for lodges/accommodation, meals, any additional activities other than golden monkey trekking or habituation, premium drinks, transportation, tips, shopping, visas, and passports etc.
What is included or excluded in the golden monkey permit price?
The price of golden monkey permits include park entrance fees, golden monkey trekking experience, guide services, and a magical encounter with a troop of golden monkeys. The cost of golden monkey permits excludes the cost for lodges/accommodation, meals, any additional activities other than golden monkey trekking or habituation, premium drinks, transportation, tips, shopping, visas, and passports etc.
When is the best time to go for golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park
When booking your golden monkey permits, it is essential to know the ideal time to travel to Mgahinga for actual trekking. First, golden monkeys in Mgahinga can be visited at any time of the year. But the dry season often comes with favorable conditions for tourists to enjoy undisrupted golden monkey trekking adventures in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The longest dry season usually occurs from June through July, August, to September. Considering the nature of the habitat, some rain showers should be expected, but it can happen for a shorter time, and visitors can continue with the search for golden monkeys. The dry season is far better than the wet season which runs from March to May then from October to November. During the wet season, Mgahinga records heavy rains and the ground is usually muddy/slippery thus posing a challenge trekking golden monkeys.
Golden monkey trekking rules and regulations to observe
- A valid permit is required for you to be allowed to visit golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park. The golden monkey permit allows you access to the park –the cost includes the entrance fee.
- A safe social distance of about 7-8 meters should be kept from a golden monkey troop.
- Do not touch golden monkeys –physical body contact puts them at risk of contracting infections.
- Avoid as much as you can to flashlight camera –taking pictures of golden monkeys with a flashlight on can scare away golden monkeys.
- Avoid smoking or drinking in the presence of the golden monkeys. They can be tempted to grab what they see in your hands, a practice that puts them at risk of contracting illnesses.
What to pack for golden monkey trekking tours
Golden monkey trekking packing list includes waterproof hiking boots (footwear), long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket (should be waterproof), a warm sweater, neutral clothes, gardening gloves, a safari hat, a waterproof daypack, a camera without a flashlight, thick hiking socks, walking sticks, and extra batteries for your camera.
Where to stay in and around Mgahinga National Park
Accommodation options present in and around Mgahinga comprise budget, midrange, and luxury. The numerous lodging choices include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community, Kisoro Mucha Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, and Mgahinga Rest Camp etc.
What else should you expect to do in Mgahinga?
Mgahinga offers more than golden monkey treks and golden monkey habituation. Other experiences to engage in include the Batwa cultural trail, volcano hiking, birding or bird-watching, Garama cave exploration, and others.
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