Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda 2026
Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda 2026 is a unique and interesting activity where guests move in the forest in search of the habituated golden monkeys and, once found, spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
Golden monkey trekking in Uganda is only done in Mgahinga gorilla national park which is located in the southwestern region in the Kisoro district near the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is also a home of the endangered mountain gorillas, birds and volcanic mountains that is mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo.
Golden monkey trekking experience
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park starts early in the morning at around 8:00 am with a briefing at Ntebeko Visitor’s Center. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 8 people, where each group will be allocated a habituated golden monkey family and an experienced park guide and park rangers.
Trekking of golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 2-5 hours depending on where the golden monkeys are located, as they like to move from one place to another in search of food.
During trekking, you will be able to view other primates, birds, and plant and tree species, among others. Once the golden monkeys are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat, which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, take photos and videos, and watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, and jumping up in tree branches, among others. After the one hour with the golden monkeys, you will trek back to the starting point, where you will be awarded a certificate for participating in the golden monkey trekking experience.
Cost of golden monkey trekking permits in Uganda 2026
A golden monkey trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 60 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 50 USD per person for foreign residents and 40,000 UGX per person for East African Citizens.
Please note that the permit prices exclude park entrance fees, which cost 40 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 30 USD per person for foreign residents and 20,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Clients are advised to book golden monkey trekking permits in advance, especially in the peak season in the months of June, July, august, September, December, January and February, as the permits get sold out quickly therefore in order to avoid last-minute disappointments, you are encouraged to make prior bookings.
Best time for golden monkey trekking in Uganda
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done all year round, though the best time is during the peak season, also known as the dry season, in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is little or no rainfall in the national park, which makes golden monkey trekking trails passable.
What to pack for golden monkey trekking in Uganda
There are a number of items that clients should pack for the golden monkey trekking experience, including a long-sleeved shirt and trousers, hiking boots, a waterproof rain jacket/poncho, gardening gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, energy snacks, a water bottle, a warm sweater, and a backpack, among others.
Where to stay in Mgahinga gorilla national park
There are a number of accommodation facilities near Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your golden monkey trekking safari, including Mount Gahinga lodge, Lake Chahafi resort, Lake Mulehe safari lodge, Ichumbi hotel, Travelers nest hotel, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Mucha Hotel, Ikoro hotel, Mondi lodge Kisoro, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, and Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle lodge among others.
Other activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park
There are other adventurous activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park that can be combined with golden monkey trekking, including
Gorilla trekking, where you will trek in the forest with a park guide and park rangers in search of the endangered mountain gorillas and, once found, spend one hour with them in their natural environment.
Mountain hiking, where you will be able to hike the three volcanic mountains, including mount Gahinga which is 3,474 meters high; mount Sabyinyo which is 3,645 meters high; and mount Muhabura which is 4,127 meters high.
Cultural encounter, where you will be able to interact with the local people and the Batwa, learn about their culture, history, and way of living, and enjoy their traditional songs and dances.
Bird watching, where the bird lovers will get a chance to spot the afro-tropical highland biome birds and the Albertine rift montane endemic bird species, including the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Cape Robin-chat, and Dusky Crimsonwing, among others.
Getting to Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport, meaning guests will drive from Kampala/Entebbe via Mbarara and Kabale to the park, which takes about 8–10 hours.
You can also access Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali, Rwanda, which takes about 3-4 hours’ drive.
To cut a long journey short, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can also be accessed by air transport, where guests will book domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airport, which takes about 1 hour. Do not hesitate to reach out to us to book your golden monkey trekking safari in Uganda or visit our website for various safari packages, including 4 Days Mgahinga National park.
