Golden Monkeys Rwanda
Golden monkeys are striking primates and are a treat for the eyes. With their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains – it’s a photographer’s dream! Visitors meet with their guides at Volcanoes National Park’s Kinigi Headquarters and the visit is done once per day, time will be allocated once booked.
Like their neighbours the gorillas, the Golden monkey can be found in very few places outside of Volcanoes National Park, and their rich colours, energetic demeanour, and sizeable troupes of up to 30 individuals are truly a sight to behold. The species have been classified as endangered with an overall estimated population between 2000 and 4000 individuals only found in the Virunga volcanic mountains. Therefore, gorillas may be what brings you to Volcanoes National Park, but it would be an absolute shame to leave without seeing any of the wonderful creatures they share a home with.
Golden Monkey trekking
Trekking golden monkeys is an adventurous activity which involves walking moderate distances by a visitor while searching for a particular golden monkey habituated troop. Unlike gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking is less strenuous since most of the troops lay along the foot of mountain ranges in bamboo vegetation zones. The park has two habituated golden monkey troops with the larger troop in Sabyinyo volcano which consists of 80-100 members.
How is it done?
Golden monkey trekking starts in the morning around 7:00 am at Volcanoes national park. Visitors are taken through a briefing on some safety precautions at the park headquarters. Later on, the visitors with the assistance of a guide embark on the trekking adventure to locate the golden monkeys. When the golden monkeys are located, visitors are allowed one hour of contact time to watch these beautiful monkeys.
Requirements
Reporting times at Visitor Information/registration Centres at Park entry for Golden Monkeys is 07h00 in the morning.
Foreign Residents in Rwanda and East African countries need to have a minimum of four consecutive months’ residency status/work permit in their passport or diplomatic card to qualify for the Rwandan/East African Foreign resident status.
A Diplomat who has a Residence visa can be allowed to use the applicable resident rates for his spouse and legally accepted children even if the spouse and legally accepted children do not have the resident visas (reside outside of Rwanda).
Reporting East African residents need to provide EAC ID Cards or Passports.
A Tourist with one Rwandan parent and a tourist with a Rwandan spouse will be considered as Rwandan as long as Immigration and Emigration Director General confirms it.
Age Restrictions
The minimum age for Golden Monkeys tracking is 12 years where a maximum of sixteen (16) people are permitted per golden monkey.
Processing time
A Tourist Permit will be automatically generated by this system upon completion of the application process.
Application Process
The Application process is as simple as picking an available slot in the product of your choice, filling mandatory forms, uploading requisite support documents and paying the applicable fees. Applications are made with full details of the client (names and passport email and phone number) at the time of payment. Bookings and Reservations are done on a first come first served basis. Rwandan nationals are expected to pay full amount at the time of booking
Best time to trek golden monkeys
Just like gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking can be done all year round. However, the best time to travel is during the drier seasons between December to March and June to September. Visitors traveling on budget may travel between the months March- May and July to September which are usually wet. Nonetheless, be prepared for the park’s unpredictable weather.
Why should you trek golden monkeys at Volcanoes National Park?
Golden monkey trekking at Volcanoes National Park is an exciting adventure that offers a great encounter with a rare and beautiful species of monkeys- golden monkeys in their natural habitat. Being recorded as an endangered species, golden monkey trekking is a once in a lifetime opportunity for every visitor to see these subspecies of the blue monkey and take iconic photographs.
Trekking golden monkeys is a lifetime adventure rewarding visitors with the best primate safari at the park. While trekking golden monkeys, visitors get a chance to see other primates in the park such as monkeys, baboons and can even with luck come across mountain gorillas along the trekking trails. Enjoy a chance to view the unique primates found in Volcanoes national park.
Although golden monkey trekking is overshadowed by the popular gorilla trekking at the park, it has remained one of the most exciting adventures that any traveler ought not to miss during their visit to the Virunga ranges. It is an ideal after gorilla trekking must-do activity.