Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Golden monkey trekking permits are legal cards that are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit habituated golden monkeys and spend one hour with them in their habitat. Golden monkeys are unique primates in Uganda that are only found in Mgahinga gorilla national park which is the smallest protected area in Uganda located in south western region in Kisoro district. Mgahinga gorilla national park is also known for harbouring the endangered mountain gorillas, animals like forest elephants, bush pigs, giant forest hogs and different bird species.

Cost of golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park cost 60 USD per person for foreign non residents, 50 USD per person for foreign residents and 40,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

Golden monkey habituation permits cost 100 USD per person for foreign non residents, 80 USD per person for foreign residents and 100,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. Golden monkey trekking and habituation rates however exclude part entrance fee to Mgahinga gorilla national park which cost 40 USD per person for foreign non residents, 30 USD per person for foreign residents and 20,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

How to book golden monkey trekking permits

Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the dates when you wish to visit the golden monkeys. After contacting us we will check for permit availability from UWA and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit. When the payment has been made, we will be able to purchase the permit on your behalf.

When to book golden monkey trekking permits

Golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park should be booked 2 to 4 months in advance before the trekking date to avoid last minute disappointments because they usually get sold out quickly especially during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.

What is included in the golden monkey trekking permit

A golden monkey trekking permit includes spending one hour with the golden monkeys, services of a knowledgeable Uganda Wildlife Authority park guide and armed ranger guides to protect you from any danger.

Golden monkey trekking experience

Golden monkey trekking is an exciting and active activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park that starts early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules, regulation and expectations. After the briefing, you will be sub-divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated golden monkey family to trek and an experienced park guide. Trekking of golden monkeys takes about 2 hours to 5 hours depending on where they are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will follow trails of leftover bamboo shoots, leaves and once the golden monkeys are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to watch them feed, play, jump up in tree branches, learn more about their behaviours, habits, take photos and record the beautiful moments to show people back home.

Best time to go for golden monkey trekking experience

Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is little rainfall in the park therefore access roads and golden monkey trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery hence making golden monkey trekking difficult.

Other activities to do in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park offers other interesting activities that travellers can engage in after golden monkey trekking including gorilla trekking where you will be able to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas, bird watching where you will be able to view variety of bird species including the Albertine rift endemics, mountain climbing where you will be able to hike Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura, cultural trail experience where you will be able to interact with the batwa people who used to live in the forest before it was gazetted.

How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in south western part of Uganda and can be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flight from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive in a safari vehicle.

You can as well access Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then cross to the park headquarters via cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.

Where to stay in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park has few accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where tourists can stay during their golden monkey trekking safari including Mount Gahinga Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest camp, Lake Chahafi Resort, Mucha Hotel, Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel, Montana Guest House, Lake Mutanda Resort, Ichumbi Hotel, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Ikaze Cottages among others.

For more information about golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris.