Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes national park

Golden Monkeys In Volcanoes National park : The Volcanoes national park is one of the national parks of Rwanda and is famous for being the home of the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. The Volcanoes national park is also a home to other primates and the more common one is the golden monkeys. The golden monkeys can be found in two other countries these are in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and are an endemic species to the Virunga region.

The Golden monkey is a sub-species of the Sykes Monkey which is also known as the Blue Monkey. These monkeys tend to live in big groups of up to 60 individuals in a family. They are easily differentiated by the bright orange fur spread out all over their bodies. The golden monkeys feed on fruits, bamboo shoots and small insects and spend most of their swinging from one tree branch to another. On a golden monkey trekking experience in the Volcanoes national park, it will be better for one to enjoy the moment rather than trying to get a photo as it will be a hard one.

The Golden monkeys are listed as an endangered species on the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) just like the endangered mountain gorillas whose numbers are estimated to be around 1,000 only left in the world. The golden monkeys are estimated to be about 5,000 individuals left in the entire world and these are only living and existent in the Virunga ranges. The Virunga ranges are a chain of volcanic mountains spread out along the border lines of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo and these are 8 mountains.

The Virunga Range Mountains are the Mount Karisimbi, Mount Mikeno, Mount Muhabura, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamulagira and all these are home to the golden monkeys and the mountain gorillas that live on their slopes.

There are only four national parks that you can visit the golden monkeys and these are the Volcanoes national park of Rwanda, the Mgahinga gorilla national park of Uganda and the Virunga national park and the Kahuzi Biega national park of the Democratic republic of Congo.

Trekking golden monkeys in the Democratic republic of Congo is not a fully developed tourism activity majorly because of the insecurity concerns in the region however trekking golden monkeys in the Mgahinga gorilla national park is an eventful and great experience as you get to do a 4 hour long habituation of these playful but interesting creatures. The trekkers who decide to take on golden monkeys on a Uganda safari will enjoy ample time in the home of the golden monkeys in their natural habitat. You will be joined by researchers and knowledgeable ranger guides led by the skilled trackers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Trekking golden monkeys in Rwanda is an equally great choice and option as the activity is fully developed for tourists to partake in. The Rwandan government along with the Volcanoes national park is very well organized and the country is a secure one so there won’t be much worry on your activity. Trekking golden monkeys, unlike the mountain gorillas have no age limit which means every one interested can engage in it.

The golden monkey trek is a full day engaging activity that starts as early as 7:30 am with a morning brief ahead of the experience and this is done at the Volcanoes national park offices and you are told about what to expect from the trek and the expected code of conduct for the trek while in the forest. You are also given chance to hire the porter to help with the extra luggage if need be and also grab your hiking stick and head out into the forest.

Trekking golden monkeys compared to the mountain gorillas is a faster venture as you will meet the golden monkeys in a shorter time compared to when trekking the mountain gorillas. This doesn’t however mean it is an easier activity as you will need some effort and keenness as they do not leave behind evidence of existence. One way to track the golden monkeys is by spotting fresh leftovers of the bamboo shoots and when you meet them, you will notice them swing from one tree branch to another and the best way to capture an image maybe by putting your camera to fast shutter shot speed.

The golden monkeys of the Volcanoes national park are habituated and this means human presence will not frighten them and you will get to enjoy them. You will enjoy one hour with the golden monkeys of Rwanda and there are a number of Rwanda safari packages you can be and include a golden monkey trek. A golden monkey trekking permit in the Volcanoes national park can be purchased a 100 USD per permit per person and one is advised to book one in advance to avoid last minute disappointment.