Golden Monkey Tracking in Rwanda (Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park)
Rwanda, also sometimes referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” is a top primate tracking destination in Africa. Rwanda is renowned for its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and an impressive population of endangered primate species including mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Golden Monkey Tracking in Rwanda is popular on most travelers’ bucket lists, many travelers from all over the world visit Rwanda for opportunities to witness these charming primates in their natural habitat. Just like mountain gorillas, the golden monkeys in Rwanda are found in the Volcanoes National Park – nestled in the far northeastern region of Rwanda. Volcanoes Nation Park and Rwanda in general are popular for gorilla trekking safaris/Gorilla tours however, on top of gorilla trekking, you can as well tailor your journey to include the Golden Monkey Tracking.
Golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti) are known for their striking golden-orange fur, black limbs, and face – one of the most captivating primates that you should witness during your safaris, especially for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. They are endangered with only a few thousand found within the Virunga Conservation Area that stretches across three countries; Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trekking to see the golden monkeys in Rwanda is an exciting and immersive experience that is worth trying during you Rwanda safari Holiday tour or Rwanda Primate Tour.
About Golden Monkeys – Rwanda Golden Monkey
The Golden monkeys also scientifically known as Cercopithecus kandti are a subspecies of the blue monkey – a primate species that is native to central region of Africa. Golden monkeys are easy to recognize as their striking golden-orange fur on the back and legs, with black fur on their faces and limbs make them distinct from the rest of primate species in the African jungles. The Golden monkeys live in the dense bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park and usually live in groups ranging from 20 to 60 individuals. These primates are primarily herbivorous, feeding on bamboo shoots, fruits, and leaves, though they also occasionally eat small insects. Golden monkeys are known for their playful antics and on your safari, you’ll witness them swing on the branches – a delightful sight to witness during safaris in Rwanda.
Embark on a Golden Monkey Tracking Safaris in Rwanda and get a chance to encounter these unique primates in their natural habitat. We can help you customize your Rwanda safari to include various safari activities too including; mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife watching, and cultural tours among others. Explore Rwanda with us and witness its captivating golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.
What happened on the day of Golden Monkey Tracking in Rwanda? – The Golden Monkey Tracking Experience
Just like mountain gorilla trekking, Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda starts with a briefing at the visitors center. Early in the morning at around 7:00 am, you’ll head to the Park Headquarters where you join groups of other travelers for a briefing session about the Golden Monkey tracking. After the briefing, you’ll follow the lead of your ranger guide and delve deeper into the forest to search for the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Tracking these elusive primates through the dense bamboo forests is a thrilling and educational experience – you’ll navigate through different vegetation zones, witness the stunning beauty of the park and the abundant species of plants here. The experience is truly amazing making it an excellent choice for those seeking an alternative to gorilla trekking, or those who want to have another extra primate activity on their safari tour in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
The trek to see golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park can vary in difficulty depending on the location of the golden monkeys however, it can last anywhere between 1 to 2 hours.
After locating the monkey in the forest, your rangers will help position you in a way that minimizes disruption to the animals and perhaps where you can have better views and opportunities for filming and taking photographs of these beautiful animals. You’ll finally encounter these unique primates in the forest and enjoy witnessing them play and feed. You’ll spend about 60 minutes in the presence of the golden monkeys and during this time, you’ll see the monkeys leaping gracefully from tree to tree, grooming each other, and playing in their natural environment – an experience that is truly mind blowing. Later after your allocated time with the primates elapses, you’ll trek back to the starting point or visitors center where your trek ends.
When to go for Golden monkey tracking? – The Best Time for Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden Monkey trekking in Rwanda can be done all year round however, some month of the year offer the most ideal conditions for tracking these beautiful primates in their natural habitat. It is also important to know that sometimes the best time for safaris in Rwanda may depend on what you are interested in seeing during your safari tour.
Although Volcanoes National Park is a year-round destination, the two dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are considered the best time for Golden Monkey Tracking in Rwanda. These two dry seasons are also the peak times for safaris in Rwanda and the best time to go to Rwanda for Holiday safaris in general.
Explore Rwanda on our customized Rwanda Safari adventures get the opportunity to immerse in the country’s unique beauty and nature while enjoy some the best primate activities like Golden Monkey tracking, chimpanzee trekking and mountain gorilla trekking.