
Planning a budget gorilla trek to Nkuringo during high season
February 15, 2022
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February 15, 2022Golden monkey trekking is one of the most interesting activities to do in Uganda, Golden monkey trekking in Uganda and costs involved, the cost of a golden Monkey safari involves transportation for the days you spend on safari, Accommodation at the specified lodge you choose to stay near the Park, Golden monkey trekking permit fees, and entrance fees to the park. Golden monkeys can only be trekked in Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Mgahinga National Park is located Kisoro district south western Uganda, East Africa. Mgahinga gorilla national park is among the Virunga volcanic mountain chain of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda famous for having the endangered Primate species namely Mountain gorillas and Golden Monkeys. . The park is Uganda’s smallest national park which is boarded by Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla national park has the three volcanoes namely Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Muhabura all of which are part of the six Virunga Mountains. Mgahinga National Park harbors the endangered mountain gorilla and the Golden Monkeys which are the most interesting primates to look at. The park is a tropical rain forest comprised of lowland equatorial evergreen forest, tropical seasonal forest, montane rain forests and mountain Bamboo.
Mgahinga National Park is among the ten National Parks in Uganda for tourism and the second national park for specially gorilla tourism and the only Park for Golden Monkey tourism in Uganda. This park is such a beauty that you should not miss out while visiting Uganda. It is under the management of the Uganda wildlife Authority, a government body in charge of all the conservation areas in Uganda.
Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga National Park
The Golden monkey Cercopithecus mitis kandti is one of Uganda’s 20 primate species. It is found in Mgahinga Gorilla National park which is part of the Virunga Mountains where it is endemic. Compared with other monkey species, the golden monkeys are gorgeous in appearance and beautiful to look at.
The golden monkey overall estimate currently stands between 2000 and 4000 individuals and since they are only found in the Virunga’s, they have been classified as endangered. They live in troops of about 100 lead by an Alpha male, and mostly feed on bamboo shoots, a variety of seasonal fruits, bamboo leaves, lichens, sprouts, flowers, leaves and small invertebrates. These golden monkeys are divided into two troops, the largest located in Sabinyo in having 80 – 100 monkeys and the other troop is found in the Volcanoes.
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park Uganda
Golden Monkeys are also rare primates in the world and Uganda is lucky to have them remaining in Mgahinga national park. Golden monkey tracking is one of the primary activities in the park that make Mgahinga gorilla national park a distinct destination. There are two communities of golden monkeys habituated for trekking, the trekking starts early morning at 7:00am with briefing at the park headquarters about the dos and don’ts while in the forest. Later you start your walk into the forest with park guides and Rangers until you find the golden Monkeys and you are allowed to view them for one hour. In East Africa, the golden monkeys are only found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda and costs involved for you to plan in advance
Cost of Golden Monkey trekking permits in Uganda?
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda and costs involved. Golden Monkey tracking activity is under the Management of Uganda Wildlife Authority a governing body of all tourism activities in National Parks in Uganda. One must have acquired the golden Monkey permit to be allowed to do golden monkey trekking. The trekking permits cost USD100 for Non- foreign residents and USD90 for Foreign residents and Uganda shillings 40,000 for East African Citizens. Once you contact us, we shall check availability of the permits for your desired date of trekking, once availability is confirmed we shall send you an invoice for payment of the permits so that secure them in advance. Golden Monkey trekking permits are the cheapest compared to the fees of other primate trekking activities.
Golden monkey permits are very essential for your golden monkey safari to Uganda. The number of treks you would like to do will determine the number of gorilla permits to buy and this determined the approximate cost involved for your trip.
Cost of Transportation for golden monkey trekking safari
The cost of transportation is inclusive of vehicle hire for the number of days of safari, Driver guide allowances and fuel for the whole trip. Vehicle hire ranges from USD50-250 per day depending on the kind of vehicle you choose, all our Vehicles are 4X4 because of the nature of roads to the Park. Mgahinga gorilla National Park can easily be accessed from Kigali in Rwanda just four hour drive from to the Park, through the Chanika boarder between Uganda and Rwanda. The drive from Kigali can start from the Airport /hotel with a city tour of Kigali and then cross into Kisoro district in Uganda for Lunch and overnight. You can also access Mgahinga National park from Entebbe/Kampala, where you will drive approximately 9-10 hours’ drive on Kampala-Mbarara- Kisoro highway to the park.
There is also and option of flying from Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip and the flight is about 2 hours into Kisoro Airstrip. The flight fees range from USD273 per Adult one way, there are scheduled flights departing every day with Aerolink Uganda and other flight companies, charter flights are also available. A flying golden monkey safari can be arranged for you to see the amazing monkeys in Mgahinga National Park.
Cost of accommodation in Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park has a number of accommodation choices where you can stay while on your visit. Most of the lodges are found in the out skirts of the forest with a clear view of the forest and the mountain ranges. The Lodges range from Budget to Luxury and these include; Gahinga Lodge which is a luxury hotel which ranges from USD400 per person per night, Lake Chahafi Lodge, Lake Mutanda lodge, Lake Muhele Lodge which can serve as for both Midrange and Budget and they range from USD80-150 per person per night. There is also an option of staying in hotels in Kisoro town, the town is just 30 minutes’ drive to the Park headquarters. Some the travelers opt to stay in Lodges/Camps in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as it is about 1 hour drive to Mgahinga National Park.
Why book with us the golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Eco Adventure Safaris offers amazing experiences Mgahinga national Park for golden monkey tracking, the rest of Uganda and the East African region as a whole. Contact us here for our discounted packages and also tailor made trips. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well-experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor and safari bookings to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled with us. Contact us here about Golden monkey trekking in Uganda and costs involved