Golden Monkey Habituation Experience in the Shadows of the Virunga Volcanoes
Spend 4 hours with the Golden Monkeys of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The Golden Golden Monkey Habituation Experience – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience is a unique wildlife encounter offered in the bamboo forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to nbiggest population of the endangered golden monkeys, which are a species of primate found only in the Virunga Mountains of East Africa.
The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience is a full-day activity that allows visitors to spend several hours in the company of a group of habituated golden monkeys. During the experience, visitors will have the opportunity to observe the monkeys as they go about their daily activities, such as feeding, playing, and grooming. Visitors will also learn about the behavior and social dynamics of the golden monkeys from experienced guides and researchers.
The habituation process involves gradually introducing the monkeys to human presence and helping them become accustomed to the presence of humans. This process can take several years, but it allows researchers and conservationists to study the monkeys in their natural habitat and develop strategies for their conservation.
The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience is a unique opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with these rare and beautiful primates, and to learn about the important conservation work being done to protect them. The experience is suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels, but it’s important to note that visitors will need to be prepared for a full day of hiking and walking in the forest.
Golden Monkey Habituation Experience – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Find out more about the Golden Monkeys found in Mgahinga Gorilla Park
The golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) is a rare and endangered primate species that is found only in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Volcanoes in East Africa. The Virunga Volcanoes are a chain of volcanoes that straddle the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the golden monkeys are found in all three countries.
Golden monkeys are medium-sized primates, with males weighing up to 10 kilograms and females weighing up to 7 kilograms. They are known for their distinctive golden-orange fur, which is long and dense, and their black faces. They have long tails, which they use for balance when moving through the trees.
Golden monkeys are primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees of the bamboo forests where they live. They are social animals and live in groups of up to 80 individuals, although the average group size is around 30. Within the group, there is a strict hierarchy of males and females, with dominant individuals having priority access to food and mates.
Golden monkeys are omnivores, feeding on a variety of plant and animal foods, including bamboo shoots, leaves, fruits, insects, and small animals. They are active during the day, and spend most of their time foraging for food and socializing with other group members.
The golden monkey is classified as an endangered species, with an estimated population of fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The main threats to their survival include habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion, as well as hunting for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the golden monkey and its habitat.
The Golden Habituation Process:
The Golden Monkeys live in troops of about 100 and are led by an Alpha male. They primarily feed on bamboo shoots, various seasonal fruits, bamboo leaves, lichens, sprouts, flowers, and small invertebrates. They live in the Bamboo Forests, one of the six Afro-Montane zones on the Volcanoes, and it is the same area where Gorillas are trekked. Compared with other monkey species, the golden monkeys are beautiful and have bright-colored fur and long golden hair mixed with orange.
Golden monkeys have to be habituated for tourists to trek them. The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience allows you to be part of that Habituation Experience. You are in the company of Rangers and researchers and will be with the Golden Monkeys for about three hours. The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience takes about six hours, and the trek is less challenging than Gorilla Trekking. One reason is that they do not move to build new nests each day as do the great apes such as Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees.
Habituating the Golden monkeys is them getting used to humans without running away but going about their daily lives. The Golden Monkey Habituation allows you to be part of that process. The longer times will enable you to take more pictures and observe other primates, birds, and wildlife.
The Golden Habituation Experience Permits cost $ 100 plus $40 Park Entrance. Porter Fees are reasonable. If you are on a Safari with us, porter services, walking sticks, and bottled water are automatically provided.
The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience
Golden Monkey Habituation Wear and Gear:
The Golden Monkey Habituation Experience requires that you have the same gear as on a Gorilla Trek, and it is about protecting you from thorns, nettles, ants, and flies. At this elevation, you will not have Mosquitoes or Tsetse flies.
- Daypack: Preferably a waterproof daypack, you can use it as a carry-on flying to Uganda. Pack all essentials inside of the daypack.
- Hiking Boots: Make sure that they have good treads on them. You will need ankle support, something boots give you and give you reactions on muddy trails. Have a good pair of merino wool socks.
- Long Trouser: They will protect you from nettles and thorns. Tuck the trousers into your socks for added protection from ants.
- Long-Sleeved Shirt: Neutral in color. Again, this is for your comfort and protection.
- Rain Jacket or Poncho: Pack into your daypack. You never know when it will train. You are in an Afro-montane Rainforest.
- Tough Gardening Gloves: This is to protect your hands from thorns, nettles, and sharp branches.
- Wide Brimmed Hat: It gives you protection from the Sun.
- Camera Equipment – Binoculars: Ensure extra batteries and storage devices. Put them into Ziploc bags. Binoculars are not needed if you are not a birder.
- Packed Lunch and Bottled Water: You will need your packed lunch from the lodge and two liters of bottled water.
- Insect Repellent – Sun Lotion – Sunglasses: We recommend the effective Australian RID Insect Repellent. Good Sun blocker cream and sunglasses.
Combine Golden Monkey Habituation Experience with Gorilla Trekking-Volcano Climbs-Hikes:
There are other activities that you can do here in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
- Gorilla Tracking: Tracking the Gentle Giants of the Forest is done on the sides of the Volcanoes. The same conditions you would find in Rwanda or DR Congo.
- Volcano Day Climbs: There are three Volcanoes that you can climb here. Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura or Muhavura, and Mount Sabinyo. You pass through six vegetation zones until you reach the summit, where you have breathtaking views. There are no overnight Volcano Climbs.
- Hikind Trails: There are several trails that you can hike. There is a very popular Sabinyo Gorge Trail in the shadows of Mount Sabinyo and the Border Trail along the border with DR Congo.
- See the Forest through the eyes of its first People: Take the Batwa Trail with some Batwa Elders and see how they lived in Forest before evicting and becoming Conservation Refugees.
- Mount Gahinga Lodge activities: The luxury Mount Gahinga Lodge is the perfect base for you to explore Mgahinga Gorilla Park. They also offer activities such as the Batwa Village walk, which that erected with funds from the lodge, the Batwa Heritage Trail, and a Caldera Walk, to name a few.
Contact us about the Golden Monkey Habituation Experience – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
