Volcanoes national park lies in the northwestern part of Rwanda and is a wonderful habitat for some of these beautiful rare and endangered species known as the golden monkeys. It’s also a home to the 5 of 8 mountains of the Virunga massif, spanning about 160 square kilometers down in the bamboo and the rainforest. And most importantly Volcanoes national park is a proud home of the threatened mountain gorillas, alone harboring more than a quarter of the world’s total gorilla population.
The golden monkeys are critically endangered primates, and are so unique to the Virunga mountains range which covers the Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Rwanda and Uganda are the only two countries where visitors have the opportunity of trekking to see them up close. The golden monkeys dwell in the bamboo forests and vegetation at the base of the Volcanoes national park and in Mgahinga gorilla national park in Rwanda and Uganda respectively. Bamboo shoots are the main food for golden monkeys.
Volcanoes national park currently has two habituated troops of golden monkeys with the largest troop in Sabyinyo volcano which has a population of 80 – 100 members and is the most visited.
In Rwanda, for anyone to get an exclusive golden monkey trekking experience he/she has to visit the volcanoes national park, giving you an everlasting safari experience with an affordable permit of only 100 USD without forgetting other requirements such as hiking shoes, a rain jacket, drinking water and a camera.
Golden monkey trekking in the volcanoes begins at 7:00 am sharp in the morning it’s an exciting adventure that offers an epic experience with a rare and beautiful species of monkey with a striking prominent golden fur coat and their spiritual behavior feeding on bamboo and staying on the slopes of volcanoes national park, they are lovely and playful. Just like gorilla trekking where one has to be present at Kinigi park headquarters for briefing about the ethical consideration when tracking this rare and endangered monkey species. After the briefing exercise the rest of the team has to hit the path down to the interior of the forest where these amazing Golden monkeys dwell.
One may ask how long does this magnificent experience of trekking takes to overcome the initial shyness of the wonderful golden monkeys; the adventurous trek takes an hour of memorable encounter with these creatures to enable you observe their behavior, take photographs during each and every second when with them.
Currently Rwanda has two habituated golden monkey troops available for visitation by tourists who want to get a long lasting golden monkey experience. It’s similar to gorilla trekking, and only a countable group of not more than 8 individuals are allowed to trek at any given time. These creatures are very innovative, active as they will always entertain you as you crack your ribs; they jump and fly on the dense tress branches to another and a little difficultness in photo taking this leaves you with an unforgettable memory in your life.
Trekking golden monkeys in volcanoes national park requires less physique since they like staying on the slopes, therefore this doesn’t end with only meeting the golden monkeys, it also enables visitors to see diversity of other wildlife species such as mountain gorillas, numerous bird species leaving you with a rare, delightful and un forgettable experience that one has not to miss when in Africa.