6 Days – Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking in Bwindi & Mgahinga
Book a golden monkey trekking safari plus gorillas. Track two primates in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks in Uganda.
Planning a golden monkey trekking safari? This 6 day journey takes you to two of Uganda most spectacular primate destinations. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to mountain gorillas, while Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to golden monkeys. A golden monkey trekking safari offers the unique opportunity to track two incredible primate species in different habitats, from the dense rainforest of Bwindi to the bamboo forest of Mgahinga.
The Bwindi gorilla trekking destination is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to approximately half of the world remaining mountain gorillas. The park has 19 habituated gorilla families available for trekking. A golden monkey trekking safari includes one gorilla trek in Bwindi, where you will spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family.
The Mgahinga golden monkey destination is located on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. The park is home to one habituated gorilla family and several groups of golden monkeys. A golden monkey trekking safari includes golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga, where you will spend one hour with these striking primates.
This 6 day primate safari is specifically designed for travelers who want to maximize their primate viewing opportunities in Uganda. The tour starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala, with domestic flights to the parks to save time. You will spend two days in Bwindi for gorilla trekking, then drive to Mgahinga for golden monkey tracking. A golden monkey trekking safari includes park entry fees, accommodation, meals, gorilla permit, golden monkey permit, and professional guiding.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers 331 square kilometers of dense rainforest. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. A golden monkey trekking safari offers excellent chances of seeing gorillas, with a success rate of over 98 percent.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers 34 square kilometers on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. The park is home to one habituated gorilla family and several groups of golden monkeys. A golden monkey trekking safari offers excellent chances of seeing golden monkeys, with a success rate of over 95 percent.
A golden monkey trekking safari offers a unique combination of primate encounters not found elsewhere. Mountain gorillas are the main attraction, but the golden monkeys are equally fascinating. Their bright golden fur and acrobatic behavior make them a delight to watch. By tracking both species, you gain a complete understanding of the primate life in the Virunga Mountains.
This tour is ideal for photographers who want to capture images of both gorillas and golden monkeys. The gorillas are slow moving and calm, allowing for intimate portraits. The golden monkeys are fast and acrobatic, offering action photography opportunities. The different habitats, from the dense rainforest of Bwindi to the bamboo forest of Mgahinga, provide variety in your images.
The mountain gorilla trekking experience and golden monkey trekking tour are the highlights of this safari.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the domestic terminal. You will take a domestic flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip, depending on which sector of Bwindi you are staying in. The flight takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours and offers stunning aerial views of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and the lush green countryside of western Uganda.
Upon landing at the airstrip, you will be met by your local guide and drive to your lodge in Bwindi. The drive takes approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on which sector of the park you are staying in. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, with time to relax and prepare for the next day trek. Your guide will brief you on what to expect for your gorilla trek. Overnight at a lodge near Bwindi.
After an early breakfast at 5:30 AM, you will drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla etiquette. The briefing covers important rules: stay at least 7 meters away from the gorillas, avoid direct eye contact with silverbacks, never use flash photography, do not eat or drink within 200 meters of the gorillas, and if you are sick with a cold or flu, do not trek as gorillas are susceptible to human diseases.
You will then be assigned to a specific gorilla family based on your fitness level and preferences. Bwindi has 19 habituated families across four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each sector offers different trekking experiences. The Buhoma sector is the most popular and has the widest range of lodges. The Ruhija sector is best for bird watchers. The Rushaga sector is home to the gorilla habituation experience. The Nkuringo sector offers the most challenging terrain with stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes.
The trek through the dense rainforest can take 2 to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas slept and how far they moved overnight. You will be accompanied by experienced guides, trackers who communicate by radio, and armed rangers who protect against forest elephants and buffalo. The terrain is steep and can be muddy, especially during the rainy season.
Porters are available for hire at 20 dollars to carry your daypack and assist with difficult sections. Hiring a porter is highly recommended regardless of your fitness level, as it supports the local economy and makes the trek much more enjoyable. Porters are strong, experienced, and incredibly helpful on steep, slippery sections.
Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour observing them. You will see silverbacks, the dominant males who protect the family, weighing up to 200 kilograms. You will see mothers cradling infants, juveniles playing in the vegetation, and blackbacks practicing their silverback behaviors. The experience is intimate and profound, bringing you face to face with our closest relatives.
After the trek, you will return to your lodge for a well deserved dinner and overnight.
Today you have the option of a second gorilla trek or a rest day. If you choose a second gorilla trek, you will be assigned to a different gorilla family, giving you the opportunity to observe different behaviors and dynamics. The second trek is often less strenuous as you will be more familiar with the terrain.
If you choose to rest, you can relax at your lodge, enjoy the forest views, or take a nature walk. The lodges in Bwindi are often located in beautiful settings, with views of the forest and the Virunga volcanoes. You can also visit a local community or take a bird watching walk. Overnight at your lodge near Bwindi.
After breakfast, you will drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The drive takes approximately 2 to 3 hours through beautiful countryside with views of the Virunga volcanoes. Mgahinga is located on the slopes of the Virunga massif, a chain of eight volcanoes spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the views of the volcanoes. Your guide will brief you on the next day activities. Overnight at a lodge near Mgahinga.
After breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. Golden monkeys are smaller and more active than gorillas, and the tracking experience is very different. The golden monkeys live in the bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, making the trek less strenuous.
The golden monkey tracking trek takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on where the monkeys spent the night. The bamboo forest is beautiful, with tall bamboo stalks creating a cathedral like canopy. The golden monkeys are highly active, leaping between bamboo stalks and foraging for shoots and leaves.
Once you find the golden monkeys, you will spend one hour observing them. The monkeys have bright golden orange fur on their backs, flanks, and limbs, contrasting with their black faces and limbs. They are social animals, living in groups of 30 to 80 individuals. You will see them playing, grooming, and interacting with each other.
The golden monkeys are habituated to human presence and may approach you, but you must stay at least 10 meters away and never touch them. Your guide will provide information about their behavior, social structure, and ecology. The golden monkeys are a subspecies of the blue monkey and are found only in the Virunga Mountains.
After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you have the option to take a nature walk or visit a local community. Overnight at your lodge near Mgahinga.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe. The drive takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, or you can take a domestic flight from Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip back to Entebbe (additional cost).
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or shop for souvenirs at the local markets. You will then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your golden monkey trekking safari. You will leave with incredible memories of two of Uganda remarkable primates.
The best time for a golden monkey trekking safari is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During these months, the forest trails are less muddy, and the animals are easier to track. The dry season also offers better photography conditions with clearer skies.
The wet seasons from March to May and October to November bring heavier rains that make trails slippery. However, the forest is incredibly lush and green during these months, and you will encounter fewer tourists. The gorillas and golden monkeys are still active.
Both gorilla and golden monkey tracking are possible year round, but the dry season offers the most comfortable conditions.
Bwindi is a dense rainforest with steep terrain, home to 19 gorilla families. Mgahinga is a bamboo forest on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, home to one gorilla family and golden monkeys. A golden monkey trekking safari allows you to experience both.
The success rate for golden monkey tracking is over 95 percent. The golden monkeys live in predictable areas and are habituated to human presence.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years. The minimum age for golden monkey tracking is 12 years. There are no exceptions to these rules.
The golden monkey trek is less strenuous than gorilla trekking. The terrain is less steep, and the trek takes 1 to 3 hours. The altitude is higher, so the thin air can make breathing more difficult.
Yes, most nationalities require a visa for Uganda. Visas can be obtained online before travel or on arrival at Entebbe International Airport. The East African Tourist Visa (100 dollars) allows entry to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya.
A golden monkey trekking safari offers the unique opportunity to track two incredible primate species in one trip. The mountain gorillas are majestic and calm, while the golden monkeys are energetic and acrobatic. The contrast between the two experiences makes this safari truly special. Book your golden monkey trekking safari today and experience the best of Uganda primates.
