What to expect on a Golden monkey trek in Rwanda

What to expect on a Golden monkey trek in Rwanda, anticipations for a Golden Monkey Trek in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park, renowned for Golden Monkey trekking in Rwanda, is also referred to as Parc Des Volcans in French and Pariki Yigihugu y’ibirungu in Kinyarwanda. It is situated in the northeastern region of Rwanda, near the town of Musanze in East Africa. Volcanoes National Park is a prominent national park in Rwanda and East Africa, as well as one of the oldest parks on the continent. It serves as a habitat for endangered apes and primates, including Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys. The park also hosts numerous species of birds, monkeys, trees, forest hogs, bushbucks, and showcases a distinctive culture.

Key Aspects of a Golden Monkey Trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Anticipate encountering mud on a rainy day.
Anticipate an extended journey and hike; you must be sufficiently fit to track golden monkeys.
Anticipate rain showers, particularly during the rainy season; therefore, it is advisable to take a raincoat.
Anticipate adherence to the established regulations and protocols during the golden monkey expedition.
Anticipate being accompanied by armed ranger guides, whose firearms are intended to ensure your safety in the forest from wildlife and intruders.
Anticipate an unconventional encounter, during which you will occasionally need to deviate from the standard walking course

Golden Monkey tracking is observing the uncommon and aesthetically pleasing golden monkeys in their natural habitat. Volcanoes National Park features two habituated golden monkey colonies available for daily hiking, each including approximately 80 individuals, with no restrictions on tourist numbers. The permit for hiking golden monkeys is priced at USD 100 for all citizens and may be acquired from the Rwanda Development Board to facilitate visits to the endangered golden monkeys. The activity commences at the park headquarters at 7:00 AM with a briefing on regulations by the park wardens. Subsequently, park guides and rangers will escort you into the forest to locate the golden monkeys. The duration of the walk may range from 30 minutes to several hours, contingent upon the monkeys’ location and movement. Upon locating them, you are permitted to observe and remain with them for a maximum of one hour before returning.

Volcanoes National Park is situated inside the Virunga Conservation Area and encompasses five extinct volcanoes: Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Karisimbi, and Mount Bisoke. Volcanoes National Park is administered by the Rwanda Development Board, a governmental entity overseeing all tourism operations in Rwanda, including the park itself. The park was designated to safeguard the mountain gorillas, which were endangered due to poaching, as well as other primates and fauna residing in the forest. The tropical forest borders Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, facilitating the movement of primates between the two regions. This has bolstered conservation initiatives across the three countries to safeguard the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

A minimum of one night in Volcanoes National Park is required for the gorilla trekking excursion from the Cyanika border. The mountain gorillas are the primary attraction at Volcanoes National Park, with daily gorilla trekking occurring year-round. Gorilla trekking entails visiting habituated endangered mountain gorillas in their native habitat, observing their feeding, movement, resting, and harmonious living behaviors. Volcanoes National Park features 10 habituated gorilla families available for daily trekking, with a maximum of 8 visitors permitted per family each day. The probability of encountering mountain gorillas is 99%, facilitated by the presence of trackers, guides, and park guards. Gorilla trekking commences daily in Kinigi at 7:00 AM with a briefing on the guidelines to adhere to throughout the trek. Despite sharing 99% of their DNA with humans, gorillas remain wild, and adherence to the dos and don’ts provided by the guides is strongly suggested. The gorilla journey may last from 30 minutes to several hours, contingent upon the gorillas’ mobility and position inside the jungle.

To do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, it is imperative to get a gorilla permit for a specific date from the Rwanda Development Board. The gorilla permit is priced at USD 1500 for all nationalities, permitting one hour of gorilla observation and photography. Securing a gorilla trek to Volcanoes National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill your bucket list. Gorilla Trekking in Africa will assist you in booking and customizing an economical and unforgettable gorilla trek trip.

Exploration of the Dian Fossey Tomb and Trek

The Dain Fossey tomb tour is one of the most renowned activities undertaken by visitors in Volcanoes National Park. The tomb is about one hour’s hike from the Karisoke Research Camp. The Dian Fossey Memorial walk is named after the renowned American primatologist and zoologist Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to safeguarding endangered gorillas in the volcanoes and raising awareness about their plight. She was murdered by the purported poachers, interred in the park, and a memorial was erected. She is renowned for her role in the film “Gorillas in the Mist.” The climb spans approximately 2,500m to 3,000m, leading to the burial of the late Dian, who advocated for the protection of endangered mountain gorillas and promoted gorilla tourism through conservation awareness. This experience is remarkable due to her personality, passion for Mountain gorillas, research, and historical context.

Iby’Iwacu cultural experience, also known as the Gorilla Guardian Village

African cultures are distinctive and intriguing, warranting exploration at Volcanoes National Park upon commencing your journey from the Cyanika border. The culture of Rwanda is highly enjoyable and engaging. The locals previously resided in the forest and engaged in the poaching of endangered species. They were subsequently relocated and organized into a village, known as Iby’Iwacu, located in Volcanoes National Park in Nyabigoma, Kinigi, Musanze District, Northern Province of Rwanda. We customize tours to Volcanoes National Park to provide you with an extraordinary experience, engaging with the Iby’Iwacu community. You will explore local homes and heritage, encompassing lifestyles, activities, antiques, dances, and the traditional practices of the residents. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village exhibits the lifestyles, traditional customs, and dances to visitors.

Avian Observation

Birdwatching is an additional pastime available in Volcanoes National Park, where the forest serves as a habitat for a diverse array of bird species. Over 300 avian species inhabit the volcanoes, including the vulnerable Grauer’s rush warbler, commonly found in swamps, as well as the francolin, Rwenzori turaco, Archer’s ground robin, red-faced woodland warbler, dusky crimson-wing, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, collared apalis, Rwenzori batis, strange weaver, among numerous others. We provide birding packages to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Uganda. The expert avian guides will assist you in locating and identifying the birds by their names.

Accommodations for Golden Monkey hiking in Rwanda

Anticipations for a Golden Monkey expedition in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of accommodations, from budget to luxury. Luxury options include Bisate Lodge, Gorilla Nest, and Virunga Lodge. Midrange alternatives consist of Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Lodge, and Le Bamboo Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Budget accommodations feature Kinigi Guesthouse, Hotel Muhavura, and Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge. Hotel rooms may rapidly become unavailable, particularly during peak season; therefore, your lodging selection must be reserved in advance for your stay to Volcanoes National Park. A discount on lodging will be available for extended stays.