Golden Monkey Trekking Rwanda: In various parks throughout Rwanda, there is a wide variety of wildlife. Volcanoes National Park is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, whereas Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five (lions, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, and elephants), and Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to chimpanzees.
One of the primate species found in Rwanda’s lush, bamboo-covered woods is the golden monkey. These golden monkeys can be found in Volcanoes National Park (the home of mountain gorillas), where two groups have been habituated, and Gishwati-Makura National Park, where they are still in the process of habituation and not yet accessible to tourists.
The golden monkeys are strikingly beautiful in comparison to other species of monkeys, with vibrant fur and a blend of orange and long golden hair. They reside mostly in communal groups of more than 30 people, headed by an alpha male. They spend most of their time in the trees, especially bamboo trees, and they live in larger groups. Their primary source of nourishment comes from these bamboo sprouts, leaves, fruits, and bugs.
You must go hiking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda in order to see the golden monkeys. A golden monkey trekking license, which may be obtained from the Rwanda Development Board, is required. These are the papers that must be submitted at the Volcanoes National Park’s Kinigi office in order to be granted permission to participate in the activity.
Rwanda’s golden monkey trek
Golden monkey trekking is only done with two troops in Volcanoes National Park, according to reports. At the briefing location (Kinigi headquarters) early in the morning, the hikers gather to show the park officials their trekking licenses. Trekkers are aware of the guidelines and restrictions of the activities after the briefing is conducted.
The armed ranger guides at the briefing center create the groups that trek with the golden monkeys. The armed ranger guides, who know the finest routes to utilize and also defend visitors from potential threats, lead each of the groups. If hikers have too much stuff, they may engage porters before they leave the briefing places.
Several hiking routes are used to reach the golden monkeys of Volcanoes National Park. The bamboo patches are among the places where these golden monkeys spend the majority of their time, according to the armed rangers who accompany the trekkers through the woods in search of these locations. The majority of the diet of golden monkeys consists of bamboo shoots, seasonal fruits, flowers, insects, and tiny invertebrates like spiders.
The golden monkeys are found in the jungle after a few hours of searching, and trekkers are allowed an hour to be around them. They are observed engaging in activities such as breastfeeding, hunting, mating, and playing from tree to tree. Most of the day is spent by golden monkeys foraging for food, and when bamboo is hard to find, they turn to flowers, fruits, and little bugs.
With the aid of armed ranger guides, trekkers exit the jungle after spending an hour in the vicinity of the golden monkeys. They come across other forest attractions, some of which might include mountain gorillas, mammals, primates, and birds. Trekkers are given trekking certificates as proof that they have effectively trekked to the golden monkeys in their native environment.
The ideal time to see golden monkeys in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is best visited between June and September and between December and February. These have low precipitation and not much sunlight, which, due to the sparse and low flora, provides excellent vistas of the golden monkeys and other sights in the woods. The trekking trails are also dry and simpler to navigate, which makes it simpler to spot the monkeys.
In the low season months of March through May and October through November, it is still possible to trek to the golden monkeys. Tourists should be aware, though, that there is a lot of rain, which might make the experience less enjoyable because the trekking routes may be muddy and slick. Because the flora is consistently high, it may be difficult to see the golden monkeys and other sights in the forest.
When going for golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, tourists are encouraged to bring raincoats, waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, long pants and shirts, a light backpack, gardening gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, energy-giving snacks, a water bottle, a camera, and a pair of binoculars, among other things.
In Rwanda, where should you stay during a golden monkey trekking safari?
Rwanda offers several lodging options for visitors on a golden monkey trekking safari. Depending on their budget, one can select from inexpensive, mid-range, or opulent lodging alternatives. Among the hotels are the One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, Sambora Kinigi; Singita Kwitonda Lodge; Wilderness Bisate, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge; and Five Volcanoes Boutique.
