Join a guided 4 hours golden monkey habituation experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National park with Africa Adventure Safaris. Similar to other habituation experiences (mountain gorillas and chimpanzees) Golden monkey habituation experience is the practice of training wild golden monkeys to make them familiar with people before they are open for trekking. Travelers join a team of researchers, conservationists,s and primate doctors in the jungle to tame these endangered species. With no doubt, golden monkeys are one of the most visited primates in Africa. The lively and playful characters of golden monkeys make an encounter with them magical. In Africa, golden monkeys are only found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Cost of golden monkey habituation experience
The permit for golden monkey habituation costs $100 for foreign non-residents, $60 for foreign residents, and UGX 100,000 for Ugandans and East African citizens. Uganda Wildlife Authority issues permit on a first come first serve basis. You can visit UWA headquarters in Kampala or Kisoro depending on where is convenient for you. Only four golden monkey habituation permits are available each day. Permit booking is recommended at least 4 months before the trekking date due to high demand and limited supply. Africa Adventure Safaris helps you book and reserve a golden monkey habituation permit at affordable rates. The $100 golden monkey habituation permit is exclusive of the park entrance fee at $40. Therefore altogether, golden monkey habituation experience costs $140 inclusive of the permit, entrance fee, ranger’s fee and conservation fees among others.
Time for a golden monkey habituation experience
You can either do the experience in the morning or afternoon depending on your available time. Each session starts with brief introductions to the rules and regulations to ensure the safety of travelers and endangered species. Whereas the actual time to spend with the gentle giants is 4 hours, you can spend more than four hours in the jungle before meeting them. Four hours are counted from the time you set your eyes on the golden monkeys.
What to wear for golden monkey habituation experience
Ensure to dress right for the jungle. The fact that you will be spending more time in the wild, remember to wear appropriate for the experience. The right attire for the golden monkey habituation experience includes hiking boots/shoes, gardening gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hat, rain jackets, sunglasses, and scarf among others. Insect repellant helps you to avoid poisonous bites from ground insects.
Dos and Don’ts in Golden monkey Habituation experience
Travelers are reminded to follow the rules and regulations of golden monkey trekking to ensure the safety of the endangered species. These include:
1. Keep a distance of 7 meters away
2. Do not visit when you are sick
3. Speak in a low tone
4. Keep within your group (Do not move alone in the jungle)
5. Do not use flashlight cameras
6. Do not look directly into the eyes of the golden monkeys
7. Do not litter in the park
NOTE: Golden monkeys are playful creatures, which will continually jump across trees. Travelers are therefore advised to hold their cameras tight and enjoy this magical experience.
Other top things to see and do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Besides, the golden monkey habituation, travelers to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have a lot to see and do. These include:
• Mountain gorilla trekking: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to Nyakagyezi gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for Ugandans and East African residents. Each day, Uganda Wildlife Authority releases 8 gorilla permits to those who want to visit Nyakagyezi gorilla group.
• Golden Monkey Trekking: This is yet another interesting activity to enjoy in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park is the only place to trek with golden monkeys in the whole of Uganda. Trekking golden monkeys cost $60 exclusive of park entrance fees.
• Batwa Cultural trail: Take part in the exceptional batwa cultural trail to learn and experience the traditional forest life of Batwa pygmies. Among the batwa activities you will do include collecting firewood, collecting honey, hunting, picking herbs, fruit gathering, making fire and visiting Ngarama cave where traditional rituals where performed. Also, traditional dances, songs and poems are performed fro entertainment. Batwa cultural trail costs $80 per person which money is used to support batwa households and improve their standards of living.
• Caldera walk
• Volcano climbing. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to three extinct volcanoes, which are Mt Sabyinyo, Mt Gahinga and Mt Muhabura. A hike to the summit of any volcano is a thrilling experience you will live to remember.
• Bird watching: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to over 180 bird species 12 of which are endemic to the area. Among the birds in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include African Olive Pigeon, Moorland Chat, Alpine Swift, Olive woodpecker, African Paradise flycatcher, Pin tailed whydah, Black kite, Cape Robin Chat, Speckled mousebird, Kivu ground thrush and Scarlet tufted malachite sunbird among others. April, May, October and November is the best time for bird watching in Mgahinga gorilla National park. May and June is the nesting season While Migratory birds are best seen from November to April.
• Forest/nature walks is the best way to explore Mgahinga Park
• Community visits to different projects
Conclusively therefore, Golden monkey habituation is an experimental experience you ought to do. Contact Africa Adventure Safaris today, book your trip and enjoy this lifetime experience.