Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is among the most exclusive tour activities in the whole world and generally experienced in Volcanoes National Park, in the northwest of the country. The endangered golden monkey, also known by their scientific name Cercopithecus mitis kandti is a subspecies of the blue monkey that thrives in montane forest and bamboo zones. These habitats are generally found on altitudes spanning 2,100 to 3,550 meters above sea level. There are approximately 5,800 golden monkeys in Rwanda, residing in the 160 square kilometers Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Massif and the 16 square kilometers Giswati forest in the Giswati-Mukura National Park.
With 2 habituated golden monkey troops in Volcanoes National Park, a tour here is worthwhile since you can track and watch them feeding, communicating, resting, and grooming. These are arboreal and very lively primates, which is a slight difference to the mountain gorillas. But, they are quite easier to locate since they do not go as high up the volcanoes as the mountain gorillas. You need a golden monkey permit from the Rwanda Development Board to trek these playful primates in their natural habitat. A reputable tour operator like Monteero Safaris can book on your behalf and this is better done in advance, at least 3 months prior to trekking date. The cost of a permit is US$100 and is only available for people at least 12 years old.
How golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is done
Make it a point to wake up quite early in the morning to arrive at the park headquarters at around 07:00. This is so that you do not miss the brief, a session conducted by a park ranger to equip you with the trekking rules and regulations for a successful experience. Following the brief, a ranger guide and armed ranger will lead you on specific trails to locate one of the habituated golden monkey troops. The trek is much shorter than that for a habituated mountain gorilla family. This golden monkey trek may take 2- 4 hours including an hour to spend with them after the encounter. You will be allowed to photograph these playful monkeys while observing their behaviors as they leap on trees. Subsequently, you will return to the trailhead to complete your golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park.
When to travel for golden monkey trekking in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is open for golden monkey trekking throughout the year, but it is your desire for the right weather conditions, ease in trekking, overall budget and ambiance in the forest that determine when to travel. For less challenging terrain to traverse, the dry season is the optimal time to travel for a golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park. This season running from December to February and from June to September is characterized by warm and dry weather conditions. This results in less muddy and less slippery trails thus easier to pass through. Warm and dry weather implies that the precipitation is relatively low thus offering an interrupted experience and cool temperatures for outdoor activities like a golden monkey trek.
Nevertheless, the dry season generally coincides with the peak season thus leading to large crowds during golden monkey treks. Therefore, you need to travel in the rainy season if you prefer fewer crowds. The rainy season is experienced during the months of March to May and October to November. With high chances of showers during the day, this creates muddy and slippery trails that are more challenging to traverse. Such conditions are preferred by the more adventurous. The low season is also a chance for visitors on a budget to stay in nice lodges but at discounted rates. The wet season is a good time for photography as the forest has denser undergrowth that offers stunning backgrounds to shoot the golden monkeys against.
Reaching Volcanoes National Park from Kigali
There are 2 transportation options you could consider for a transfer to Volcanoes National Park to trek golden monkeys in their natural homes. The first option is road transportation, which offers a scenic drive to cover a road distance of 102 kilometers from Kigali. The journey spans 2.5-3 hours to the northeast if the roads are in good conditions and with little to no traffic congestion. The trip is seamless particularly if you opt for private means. Monteero Safaris is a registered tour company that offers car hire services with professional driver guides. Choose from our extensive selection of vehicles—4X4 safari land cruisers, drones, saloon cars and minibuses—to find the perfect option.
The second option is by air transportation on a helicopter offered by RwandAir from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airstrip. The flight takes only 30 minutes and offers a unique perspective of Rwanda’s amazing ecosystems from above. From Musanze Airstrip, you will organize ground transportation to the nearby park headquarters at Kinigi. With Monteero Safaris, you have a reliable tour operator to book the flight on your behalf with great efficiency. We also do pick ups and drop offs and our driver guides are proficient in both English and French.
What to pack for golden monkey trekking in Rwanda
A captivating golden monkey trek in Rwanda will be memorable if careful consideration is done to pack the following,
- Dull colored long-sleeved shirt and a pair of long trousers
- Warm sweater
- Waterproof hiking shoes or boots and gaiters
- Light rain jacket or poncho
- Refillable water bottle
- Snack box with energy snacks
- Waterproof backpack
- First aid kit
- Hiking pole
- Camera
- Insect repellent
- Pair of binoculars
- Items for sun protection (Sunglasses, suncream and hat or cap)