Golden monkey trekking: meet Uganda's bamboo-forest primates

Golden monkey trekking in Uganda: the short answer

Golden monkey trekking is a guided walk into the bamboo forest on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes to find a troop of rare golden monkeys. In Uganda, the walk starts from Mgahinga, in the far south-west near Kisoro. When rangers locate a troop, you spend one hour with it.

The experience is lively and photogenic. Golden monkeys leap through the bamboo in small bursts of orange and gold, and they chatter constantly. Many visitors add it to a gorilla trip as an easy and joyful second primate day. The Uganda Wildlife Authority runs the activity and issues the permits.

Meet the golden monkey

The golden monkey is a forest guenon, a close cousin of the blue monkey. Its back and tail glow golden-orange, while its limbs and crown are darker. Cheeks are pale, and the face looks almost mask-like against the green leaves. The animals are small, quick and agile.

They live only in a limited area of bamboo and mountain forest around the Virunga volcanoes and a few other highland forests in the region. The IUCN Red List classes the species as Endangered, mainly because of habitat loss. Seeing them in the wild is therefore a privilege.

Troops are noisy and social. Golden monkeys eat bamboo shoots, fresh leaves, fruit and insects, and they spend much of the day feeding in the lower and middle levels of the forest.

Where golden monkey trekking happens on the volcano slopes

The trek starts at the Ntebeko park gate, in the south of the park near Kisoro, where rangers brief each group. From there you walk into the bamboo zone on the lower slopes of the volcanoes. The terrain climbs gently, and the trail is often muddy and narrow. Views of the volcano cones appear whenever the cloud lifts.

Because golden monkeys keep to the bamboo, the walk is easier than gorilla trekking in many cases. You rarely cross steep valleys. Even so, altitude and wet ground can tire you, so wear good boots and walk slowly. The setting also provides excellent birding, with mountain species calling in the canopy.

Our guide to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers the full park, including the volcano hikes and cultural trails.

How a golden monkey trek runs

1. Gate and briefing. You arrive in the morning, register and listen to the rules.
2. Tracking. Trackers have already located the troop, so rangers lead you towards it.
3. The walk. The group enters the bamboo and follows the guide in single file.
4. The hour. Everyone watches the troop feed and play for one hour, at a respectful distance.
5. The return. You walk back to the gate, often within a few hours of leaving.

Golden monkey trekking follows the same ethic as other primate treks. Small groups, quiet voices and fixed distances protect the animals. Rangers keep your group together and adjust the route to the troop's movements.

Golden monkey trekking compared with gorilla trekking

Visitors often ask which experience is better. In truth, they offer different pleasures.

If you are planning gorillas, read our Uganda gorilla trekking guide. Together, the two treks make a rich pair, because the monkeys show forest life in motion while the gorillas show it at rest.

Age, group size and rules for golden monkey trekking

The rules protect the monkeys, who can catch human illnesses. They also keep the trek safe and calm.

• Age. The minimum age is lower than for gorilla trekking, so older children can often join. We confirm the current rule when you book.
• Group size. Groups are small, and each group follows one ranger guide.
• Distance. Keep the distance your ranger sets, and never touch or feed the monkeys.
• Health. Do not trek with a cold, flu or stomach illness.
• Photography. Flash is not allowed.

Every visitor needs a permit for the date. Our permit booking guide explains how permits work in Uganda, and we arrange yours once you choose a date.

The best time for golden monkey trekking

Golden monkey trekking runs all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, bring firmer trails and clearer volcano views. During wetter months, the bamboo is slippery and the cloud sits low, though the forest looks fresh and crowds are thin.

Early starts help in any season. Mornings are cooler, and the monkeys are often active as the sun warms the canopy. Pack a rain jacket in every month, because mountain weather changes fast. For more on seasons, read our best time to go guide.

What to wear and carry

The bamboo forest is cool, damp and sometimes steep. Dress in layers, and protect your feet.

• Sturdy waterproof boots with real grip.
• Long trousers and a long-sleeved top.
• A warm fleece for early mornings at altitude.
• A rain jacket and a hat.
• Gloves, because bamboo can scratch.
• Water, a snack, sunscreen and a camera.

Our packing guide gives a full checklist that suits this trek as well.

Photographing golden monkeys

Golden monkeys are a gift for photographers. Their colour stands out against the green bamboo, and they pose often. Even so, they move quickly, so you need a fast shutter speed.

A lens of 100 to 300 mm works well. Raise your ISO under thick canopy, and focus on the eyes for the sharpest shots. Take wide frames too, showing the bamboo and the volcano slopes behind the troop. Flash is not allowed, and it would only startle the animals.

Birds and wildlife on the volcano slopes

The bamboo and mountain forest shelter far more than monkeys. Birdwatchers find mountain specialists here, and many are hard to see elsewhere in Uganda. Listen for the high calls of sunbirds, robin-chats and turacos along the trail.

Other mammals live in the forest too. Buffalo, bushbuck and elephants sometimes pass through, although you rarely meet them on the golden monkey trekking route. Rangers carry radios and know where larger animals are. If they see signs, they will change the path.

Plants add to the experience. Giant lobelias, tree ferns and mosses grow thickly where the mist settles. In the right light, the forest looks like a painting. Take your time on the way in, because the scenery deserves attention as much as the monkeys.

Ethics: keeping golden monkeys wild

Habituation lets visitors watch the monkeys, yet it also makes them more used to people. Good behaviour keeps the benefits and limits the harm. Never feed the monkeys, even if they come close. Keep your bag zipped, because food attracts them. Speak softly, and move slowly when they approach.

Choose operators and lodges that support the park and hire local staff. Your fee helps rangers, vets and nearby communities, which gives local people a reason to protect the forest. In this way, golden monkey trekking supports both wildlife and livelihoods around the volcanoes.

Pairing the trek with other volcano activities

The park offers more than golden monkeys. You can climb Mount Sabyinyo, Gahinga or Muhabura on guided day hikes, or walk the Batwa Trail with a local guide. The Batwa share forest stories, medicine plants and hunting methods from their forest past.

Gorilla trekking also begins here, since the park shelters a gorilla group that wanders across the border. Our 4-day Mgahinga gorilla and golden monkey safari and our 3-day Mgahinga tour show how these activities fit together. For a wider route, see our 8-day tour.

Getting there and where to stay

Mgahinga lies near the town of Kisoro, close to the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can reach it by road from Kampala in a long day, or from Kigali in about four hours. Another option is a short domestic flight to Kisoro.

Lodges around Kisoro and the park gate range from simple camps to comfortable forest lodges. Staying close to the gate lets you start early, which makes golden monkey trekking more comfortable. We choose lodges that match your style and your permit date.

Golden monkeys in Rwanda

Rwanda also offers golden monkey tracking, in Volcanoes National Park. The same bamboo forest continues across the border, so the animals look and behave alike. If you plan to trek gorillas in Rwanda, you can add the monkeys there instead. See our Volcanoes National Park guide and our Rwanda gorilla trekking guide for the wider route.

Plan golden monkey trekking with a licensed team

We are a licensed Ugandan operator. One named member of our team plans your trip, books your permits and looks after you from arrival to departure.

1. Tell us your dates. Send your dates and group size, or message us on WhatsApp.
2. Pick your activities. We suggest a mix of treks and hikes.
3. Get one clear quote. It lists what is included.

For more answers, see our frequently asked questions.

Frequently asked questions