A golden monkey feeds on vegetation in the dense bamboo forest of its natural habitat.

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Golden Monkey Trekking

A two-to-four hour bamboo forest trek in the Virunga foothills to watch troops of endangered golden monkeys. Permit $100.

Add this to a trip What happens

DurationHalf day (2–4 hours walking)

WhereMgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda / Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

ExertionModerate

From$100

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The Experience

Golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga volcanoes, found nowhere else on earth, and considerably more active and visible than gorillas — they move in troops of dozens through the bamboo canopy, chattering and leaping in a way that makes for easy, entertaining viewing. The trek is shorter, the permit far cheaper, and the minimum age lower, which makes it a natural add-on for families or anyone whose gorilla permit budget is already spent.

Trekking happens on both sides of the border, in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, at the same $100 permit price in both countries.

Park fees and gorilla permits in Rwanda are set by the Rwanda Development Board.

Highlights

Available in both Mgahinga (Uganda) and Volcanoes (Rwanda)
Troops of 30–80 monkeys, highly active and visible
Walking time typically 2–4 hours round trip
One hour of observation once the troop is found
Minimum age 15, same rule as gorilla trekking
A fraction of the cost of a gorilla permit

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How the Day Unfolds

Briefing at the park gate

Groups gather at park headquarters — Ntebeko in Mgahinga, or Kinigi in Rwanda — for a short introduction to golden monkey behaviour and trekking etiquette, notably less formal than the gorilla briefing given the lower stakes and larger, more forgiving troops.

Into the bamboo

The trail climbs through high-altitude bamboo forest, the golden monkeys' preferred habitat, on rolling rather than punishing terrain. Trackers usually locate a troop faster than they would a gorilla family, since golden monkeys move in large, noisy groups that are hard to miss once you're in the right zone.

An hour watching the troop

Once found, you get an hour with the monkeys, who are considerably less shy than gorillas and will often continue feeding and playing metres from the group, moving constantly through the canopy — bring a fast shutter speed rather than a long lens.

Return to the trailhead

The walk out is usually quicker than the walk in, since the troop's location is now known and the route back is direct.

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In Pictures

A golden monkey pauses in the dense bamboo undergrowth, its amber fur catching soft light.

A golden monkey perches among green bamboo stalks in its mountain forest home.

A golden monkey sits alertly among dense forest vegetation, gazing thoughtfully.

A golden monkey feeds quietly in a lush, green forest environment.

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Included, and What to Bring

Included

Golden monkey trekking permit
Guide briefing at park headquarters
Ranger-guided trek

Bring

Hiking boots suited to rolling, sometimes muddy terrain
Long trousers — bamboo groves scratch
A light rain jacket
Water and snacks for a half-day outing
A camera with a fast shutter for constantly moving monkeys

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Permits and Good to Know

Both Uganda and Rwanda price the golden monkey permit at $100 per person, making it one of the most affordable primate encounters in the region and a sensible pairing with a gorilla trek on the same trip, since the two often use overlapping park infrastructure.

Is this easier than gorilla trekking?

Generally yes — shorter walks, gentler terrain, and a lower minimum fitness bar, though bamboo forest still means uneven ground and the occasional steep stretch.

Can I do this the same day as gorilla trekking?

Not usually — each activity runs a half or full day and permits are assigned to specific morning slots, so most travellers spread the two across separate days.

Are golden monkeys endangered?

Yes, classified as endangered, restricted entirely to the Virunga volcanoes' bamboo zone.

Which country's trek is better?

Both access the same population moving across the shared volcanic massif — choose based on which side of the border your itinerary already has you on.

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Where It Happens

Kigali

Rwanda · City

Rwanda's capital and safari hub, unusually clean and walkable, with the Kigali Genocide Memorial as its central, essential stop.

Lake Kivu

Rwanda · Lake

Rwanda's largest lake, forming the border with DRC, used mainly for boat trips, swimming and a break between the country's more demanding trekking destinations.

Kibale National Park

Uganda · National Park

A rainforest near Fort Portal holding thirteen primate species, including well over a thousand chimpanzees, in one of East Africa's densest wildlife concentrations.