Golden monkey habituation in Uganda is one of the top safari activities to look for while on a Uganda primate safari. Uganda has over 20 primate species and Golden monkeys are part of that pool. The golden monkeys are only found within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, which makes the national park a priority destination for those who desire to visit and trek these monkeys. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is at the heart of the Virunga region to which the golden monkeys are endemic. Golden monkeys are majorly known for the striking physical beauty they wear which is unseen in most of the other monkey species.
They are generally harmonious creatures and fun to watch as they interact with each other. Their fur is brightly colored with a blend of long golden threads hence the reason why they are known as golden monkeys. The fur is also mixed with an orange color which adds to the beauty.
The golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park are estimated between 2,000 to 4,000 individuals and because of their location, golden monkeys are classified as endangered species. The golden monkeys live in clustered groups of about 100 individuals at a time, and these groups are known as troops. They live in a social set-up under the leadership of an Alpha male. Golden monkeys feed on bamboo leaves and shoots from the bamboo that grows within the forested areas of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. They also feed on fruits which are known to flourish seasonally, low-lying flowers, sprouts, other plant leaves, lichens, and small forest invertebrates.
Golden monkeys are naturally accustomed to the wilderness and because of this, it primarily makes tourism a complicated activity around these creatures. Consequentially, golden habituation was devised to make them more human-friendly. Mgahinga National Park presently has some habituated troops that can be tracked. Additionally, the park has semi-habituated troops that are present for experimental tourism.
Tracking these monkeys isn’t as complicated as it is for mountain gorillas. The golden monkeys rarely shift their daily nests so there’s no need for pre-tracking. They can always be found in the same specific location they were in the previous day. Experimental tourism is a new phenomenon that has recently been introduced to give desiring tourists an informative insight into the research carried out on the golden monkeys, the conservation efforts of these already endangered species, and the protection activities being carried out amidst the already challenging climate change and rapid human activities.
Golden monkey habituation gives a modest feel of what it is like for the conservationists while in the field, enabling visitors to appreciate the relevance of research in such an environment, learn more about the golden monkeys and other primate species, learn about other animals within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and appreciate the interrelationship of golden monkeys with other wild animals within Mgahinga National Park.
Golden monkey habituation permits cost $100 for a foreigner, while the tracking permit costs $60 per person.
The dry season of Mgahinga National Park is the best time to visit, and this occurs between the months of July-September and December-February.
Rain jacket, trekking boots, sunglasses, a camera with enough batteries, a pair of binoculars, woolen gardening gloves, hat, snacks, and bottled water.
