Rwanda

Is golden monkey trekking worth doing if I've already trekked gorillas?

  1. Home
  2. Experiences
  3. Golden Monkey Trekking

/experiences/golden-monkey-trekking/

Image slotIs golden monkey trekking worth doing if I've already trekked gorillas? - The experience in progress, mid-action rather than posed

What This Experience Is

A guided trek to habituated groups of golden monkey — a striking, endangered primate found only in the Virunga volcanic range. Unlike gorillas, golden monkeys move quickly through bamboo in large, animated troops, which makes for a livelier and more chaotic encounter.

Where It's Available

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, on the bamboo slopes of the Virunga range. Habituated groups are also present in parts of Uganda's Mgahinga area.

Why Add It to a Gorilla Trek

It's shorter, considerably less strenuous, and generally undertaken on a second day at Volcanoes — a good use of a day that would otherwise be spent travelling, and a meaningful contrast to the stillness of an hour with gorillas.

Permits & Practicalities

A separate permit from gorilla trekking, generally at a substantially lower cost, arranged through the same national authority. Terrain is easier than a gorilla trek but still involves walking on uneven ground at altitude.

FAQs

Is golden monkey trekking worth doing if I've already trekked gorillas?
Most travellers find it a worthwhile contrast rather than a repeat — it's a fundamentally different animal and a different kind of encounter.
How difficult is it?
Considerably easier than gorilla trekking; groups are generally found on the lower bamboo slopes.

Plan Your Journey

Start Planning

Every safari begins with a conversation

Tell us your dates, who's travelling, and what matters most — we'll build a route around it rather than around a template.