
Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda can be done in Volcanoes National Park which is the top tourist attraction in Rwanda Safaris. The park offers a magical encounter with unique and beautiful species of monkeys called ‘’ Golden Monkeys’’. Golden monkeys have a striking golden fur coat and added to their sprightly character lovely to watch and offer gainful photography.
The golden monkey trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park attracts number of tourists, come along the most popular gorilla trekking adventure. More about, golden monkeys are known as endangered species and perfect to the Virunga Mountain range which covers the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
In East Africa countries, there are only two countries where you can see these rare species that is Uganda and Rwanda. They live in the bamboo forests and vegetation at the base of the Volcano mountains. They’re feeding capacity – feed on bamboo, shoot, bamboo branchlets and young bamboo leaves.
Volcanoes National Park has got two habituated troops of golden monkeys and the most visited group of troops is Sabyinyo with over 80 – 100 members is the most visited.
What is the cost of golden monkeys tracking in Volcanoes National Park?
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda costs USD100 for international tourists. Age limit is a minimum of 12 years to trek golden monkeys.
How is the golden monkey trekking organized?
We advise you to always book your golden monkey permit in advance.
In Volcanoes National Park golden monkey is done in one session and their trek starts in the morning like all other activities offered in the park. So, visitors have to report to the Kinigi park headquarters ‘’7am’’where they will meet the park ranger guides for short briefing and then drive to the starting point of trek ‘’15 minutes away at the rim of the park.
The golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park live at the bottom of the volcano mountain in the bamboo forest and by following clues of fresh leftovers from eaten bamboo shoot which can be located in less than an hour.
Once you allocate them, your given one hour to spend watching them in close view as they skillfully pick bamboo shoots and young bamboo leaves while making huge jumps from one bamboo tree with their long tails that provide great balances. More so, golden monkeys spend a lot of time at the top of the bamboo but they also want to climb down along the tree to eye level and even move on ground.

Other facts about golden monkeys;
They are shy species as you get so close within a meter.
Flash disc is permitted but on gorilla trekking is not allowed.
They are camera flash lovers.
Young golden monkeys usually use call communications to show their submissiveness to the older ones.
The male primates use their call communications to show the hat they own and as a sign of aggression while the female golden monkeys use call signs for bringing the group of monkeys together.
Golden monkeys live in an open up in the trees and make their homes in bamboo forest as their nesting place.
They feed on shrubs, larvae which is found on the trees, flowers, branches, shoots among others.
They are active species during the day.
They are very social animal living in groups that is dominated by one male.
They are always crowded into groups of four for easy protection especially for the young ones.
The monkey’s act of digging and cleaning the potato before eating which is amazing to watch.
Does golden monkey trekking in Rwanda require physical fitness;
The golden monkey trek is one of the most stunning activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Note, they live at the bottom of the mountain range in the bamboo forest and terrain is relatively flat and easy to trek.
What to bring for the Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda.
Hiking shoes
Rain jacket
Drinking water
Camera
Energy giving food
Carry a rain jacket
Carry a wide brimmed hat
Insect repellent to avoid insect bites
Best time to visit Rwanda is all year around though the best time is in dry season -June to August and December to February.
