Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda.

In Rwanda, golden monkey trekking is a unique and thrilling sport that involves travelers entering a tropical jungle to look for golden monkeys and spending an hour with them in their natural environment.

Trekking for golden monkeys is done in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, which is situated near Musanze Village in the country’s northwest. at the southwest region of Uganda, at the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, golden monkey trekking is also conducted.

A male golden monkey dominates groups of 60 to 100 members, making golden monkeys exceptional primates. In Volcanoes National Park, golden monkey trekking begins very early in the morning with an orientation regarding expectations, rules, and laws.

Following the briefing, an experienced park guide will be assigned to you, and you will begin walking through the jungle to find habituated golden monkey families by following the trails of leftover bamboo leaves, shoots, and fruits.

Due of their tendency to roam around in search of food, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park might take anything from thirty minutes to four hours, depending on the location of the monkeys. You will be able to see several bird species, plant and tree species, and other primate species while walking.

You will be permitted to spend an hour with the golden monkeys in their natural environment after they have been located. This will allow you to observe their activities, take pictures and films, and watch them play, eat, and climb tree branches.

The price of a Rwandan trekking permit for golden monkeys

Visitors over the age of 15 are granted a golden monkey trekking permit, which is a valid document that enables them to visit habituated golden monkey families and spend an hour in their natural environment. In Volcanoes National Park, a golden monkey hiking permit costs RWF 4,000 for Rwandan citizens, USD 100 for foreign non-residents, and USD 65 for foreign residents.

How to reserve a trekking permit for golden monkeys in Rwanda

Booking golden monkey trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park can be done online at the official IREMBO website or directly through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) by calling or emailing the head offices in Kigali.

By contacting us with the day, month, and year that you would want to visit the golden monkeys, you may also reserve golden monkey trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park through a reputable tour operator such as All In Africa Safaris. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether permits are available on the days you have selected.

If they are, you will be required to pay a deposit for your permits. We will buy the permissions on your behalf as soon as we have the funds. The best option is to book golden monkey trekking permits through All In Africa Safaris, as we will not only buy permits for you but also organize your entire safari, including lodging, transportation, activities to partake in after golden monkey trekking, and other safari destinations.

The ideal time of year to trek golden monkeys in Rwanda

While golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is possible throughout the year, the best time to go is in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, which is also known as the peak season. Because the national park receives less rainfall during the dry season, access roads and golden monkey trekking trails are dry and passable, making walking easier than during the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery.

Where to stay in Rwanda when trekking for golden monkeys

During your golden monkey trekking safari, you can stay at any of the several lodging options in Volcanoes National Park. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Best View Hotel, Faraja Hotel, Garden Place Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Le Bamboo Gorilla Village, Villa Gorilla, Garr Hotel, Kinigi Guest House, and La Palme Hotel are just a few of the lodging options that range from affordable to luxurious.

Things to bring on your trekking safari with golden monkeys

Hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts and pants, a waterproof rain jacket, bug repellent, a camera and additional batteries, energy snacks, bottled water, and a backpack are some of the necessities to bring on your golden monkey trekking expedition.

Additional things to do in Volcanoes National Park

In addition to trekking golden monkeys, Volcanoes National Park offers other fascinating activities such as mountain climbing, which includes hiking Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Muhabura; cultural tours, which allow you to engage with the locals; and visiting the twin lakes of Lake Ruhondo and Burera, among others. Gorilla trekking allows you to spend an hour with the endangered mountain gorillas.

Accessing Volcanoes National Park

The northwest region of Rwanda is home to Volcanoes National Park, which is reachable by road. It takes roughly two hours to go from Kigali to Kinigi Park Headquarters.