Golden monkey and mountain gorillas are both found in Virunga massif range shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. The parks that make this mountainous area include Mgahinga gorillas national park of Uganda, volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Virunga national park of DRC. Whereas mountain gorillas live on the higher altitude of the parks, golden monkeys can be found at slightly lower altitude which makes even their trekking less challenging.
Al these three national parks inhabits both gorilla and golden monkey trekking. However, Virunga national park is currently closed for tourist due to the political unrest surrounding the region where the park is located. Volcanoes national park offers both activities everyday of the year including the public holidays.
However, you can’t trek both gorillas and golden monkey on the same day while in Rwanda as both activities start at the same time early in the morning, stopping from being able to do both while in volcanoes national park
Then where can you trek both primates on the same date
The answer is Mgahinga gorillas national park of Uganda. The park is the only place known in the world that will give you an opportunity to trek mountain gorillas and trek the golden monkey on the same day. Still, you will need to have both permits for gorillas and golden monkey as on permit can’t trek both these primates.
The cost of gorilla and golden monkey permit
The cost of gorilla permit in Uganda that can be bout either direct from Uganda wildlife authority or through authorized tour operator is $800. This permit will allow you to spend one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitats of Mgahinga. Remember that the park has only one habituated gorilla family. Which means only 8 people can trek gorillas from Mgahinga per day. Therefore, you will be required to book your permit as Bwindi national park, the other park in Uganda with gorillas does not offer golden monkey trekking experience which means your gorilla permit must be for Mgahinga.
The cost of golden monkey trekking in Uganda is 100 USD per person for foreign non residents, 80 USD per person for foreign residents and 60,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
What else can you do at Mgahinga national park
Volcano hiking
Three of the eight volcanic mountains that makes up Virunga massif are found within Mgahinga national park. These are mount Sabinyo, mount Mahinga and mount Muhavura. Mount sabinyo is shared by all the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo but can only be hiked from Uganda. Even the other two volcanic mountains can be hiked in Uganda. Therefore, in case you wish to extend your stay in Mgahinga, you can plan on hiking one of these volcanic mountains.
Birding for Albertine rift valley endemics
You can go birding in for the different endemic birds of Albertine rift valley endemic. The Dusky Turtle Dove, Cape Robin-chat, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Black-headed Waxbill and Streaky Seedeater, Handsome Francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, White Starred Robin, Greater Double collard Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Shelly’s Dusky Crimsonwing, Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, and Black headed waxbill, Western Green Tinker bird, Malachite Sunbird, Cape Robin, White-starred Robin, Brown Woodland Warbler, Striped breasted Tit, Malachite and Scarlet-tufted Sunbirds are some of the most common birds that you will see. The park is the home to over 180 bird species that you can see on your safari.
Batwa trail experience at mgahinga
Before Mgahinga gorilla national people was gazetted, the Batwa native used to stay in this area and where the hunters within this park area. This trail will take you through the history of the people to the caves of these people where they used to stay. Some of the displaced Batwa people are staying near the park. These people will tell you the story of how they used to live within the forest of Mgahinga.
Gorilla and golden monkey pack list
- Hiking Boots (Trekkers Shoes)
- Lightweight clothing
- Rain jacket
- Gardening gloves
- Camera and accessories
- Insect repellent
- First aid kit
- Bottled drinking water and energy snacks
- Sun glass and wide blamed hat
- Gorilla and golden monkey trekking permit
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