Golden monkey trekking in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a captivating safari experience for wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. These rare primates, found only in the Virunga Massif, enchant with their golden-orange fur and lively behavior, darting through the park’s bamboo forests alongside mountain gorillas.
The journey starts at 7:30 AM with a briefing at the Ntebeko Visitor Center, followed by a 2-4 hour guided trek beginning at 8:00 AM. Following trails of snapped bamboo, trackers lead visitors to troops of 30-100 monkeys, where one hour is spent observing their playful leaps and social antics. For a deeper experience, the habituation option allows four hours with researchers, offering rare insights into their lives.
Mgahinga is easily reached from Kisoro, a 1-2 hour drive or a short flight from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip.Dry seasons June to September and December to February provide optimal trail conditions, though rain jackets and sturdy shoes are recommended year-round.
Golden monkey tracking offers a window into East Africa’s biodiversity, making it an unmissable adventure for global travelers exploring Uganda’s wild landscapes.