Golden Monkey Vs Gorilla Trekking Experience, Uganda & Rwanda

Golden Monkey Vs Gorilla Trekking: Golden monkey and mountain gorilla trekking differ in several key aspects, though each adventure allows you to experience unique African primates in their natural habitats. This guide directly compares golden monkey and gorilla trekking by outlining the main differences: the nature of each adventure, the primates observed, permit costs, key trekking locations, and additional distinguishing factors.

Comparison Between Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking Experience 

What to Expect to See:

Golden monkey trekking centers on observing playful golden monkeys in bamboo forests, where their vibrant coloring and social behavior stand out.

In contrast, gorilla trekking focuses on groups of mountain and eastern lowland gorillas, offering encounters with much larger primates known for their strength and family dynamics. The key difference in what you see: energetic, agile monkeys versus powerful, gentle gorillas.

About 3000 to 5000 golden monkeys live in the African jungle. They are among the endangered species of animals in the wild, with their population largely threatened by habitat loss and other factors.

Gorilla trekking introduces you to some of the finest habitats to see a habituated group of mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas. These are the subspecies of the Eastern gorillas that thrive in the East-Central African rainforests.

Where to go for Golden monkey Vs Gorilla Trekking

Golden monkey trekking is a captivating primate adventure, often enjoyed in key destinations such as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park -Uganda, & Rwanda’ Volcanoes Game Park.

The two golden monkey trekking parks are home to a great number of habituated golden monkey troops. About 2 golden monkey troops reside in the lush bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park.

They are concentrated around the scenic slopes of the Sabyinyo Volcano Mountain range, consisting of 100 individuals. The guided golden monkey treks in Volcanoes National Park begin from Kinigi with a briefing and expect to take 2 to 4 hours in the jungle.

Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park presents you with a chance to visit habituated troops in the scenic base of Mgahinga’s volcanoes.

Golden monkeys make up an extensive troop with a dominant male often taking the lead. The Virunga region alone hosts over 5000 golden monkeys. At the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a troop of golden monkeys consists of about 60 to 80 individuals.

Gorilla trekking is mainly done in places like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo are the extra incredible destinations to consider for African gorilla trekking.

The four destinations mainly offer amazing sightings of the endangered mountain gorillas. Visitors can also embark on an Eastern lowland gorilla safari in African jungles. This is true especially with Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Are you interested in Uganda gorillas? If so, then expect to begin your daily trek from Nkuringo group, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga gorilla families. These 4 sectors are in Bwindi, and only one sector is found in the Mgahinga National Park, which is Ntebeko.

The gorilla families present in Uganda include the Katwe gorilla group, Rushaga family, Buhoma, Kutu group, Habinyanja family group, the Rushegura, the Bitukura group, Mukiza group, and the Kanywanyi gorilla group.

Other groups of gorillas in Uganda include the Mucunguzi group, the Bweza gorilla group, the Mishaya family group, the Bikingi, Mukiza group, the Mubare family, and many others.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and its gorilla groups include the Amahoro group, the Sabyinyo gorilla group, the Susa A, Ugenda. Kwitonda group, Karisimbi, Agashya, Hirwa gorilla group, Umubano, and others.

Virunga National Park, Congo, and its habituated gorilla families include the Bageni gorilla group, Wilungula gorilla family group, Kabirizi gorilla group, Mapuwa group, Rugendo gorilla group, Humba group, Nyakamwe gorilla group, Lulengo group, Munyaga gorilla group, and Baraka gorilla group.

If your interest is to track lowland gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, then be prepared to visit the habituated gorilla groups such as Mugaruka, Mpungwe, Chimanuka group, and may others.

Cost of Golden Monkey Vs Gorilla Permits

The prices for obtaining a valid golden monkey and gorilla permit vary depending on the destination and adventure. Valid golden monkey trekking permits in Mgahinga National Park cost USD 60 (for foreign non-residents), USD 50 per person for residents, and Ugandans or East African citizens UGX 40,000.

Golden monkey habituation experience –the permits are available at USD 100 per person for non-residents, and foreign residents at USD 80 per visitor, and East African citizens at UGX 100,000 per person. The golden monkey trekking and habituation permits only include the park entrance fees, ranger guide services.

Gorilla trekking also requires a permit, and the cost isn’t the same in the various destinations where this primate experience can be enjoyed.

A single Uganda permit for gorilla trekking is USD 800 per person for non-residents, USD 700 (residents), USD 500 for the rest of Africans, and Shs. 300,000 for the citizens in East Africa.

The permits for gorilla habituation are available at USD 1500 per person and can also be booked through a reliable company on the ground. Talk to Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd to secure you valid permit plus a gorilla tour/golden monkey trekking safari.

Valid gorilla permits for Rwanda cost SUD 1500 per guest and USD 400 per person for visitors on the safari in Congo.

The Similarities Between the Golden Monkey Vs Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla and golden monkey trekking are related in the sense that each takes visitors on a guided hike. The hike/trek involves searching for either golden monkeys or gorillas in their habitats.

While trekking with gorillas or golden monkeys, expect to be accompanied by an experienced guide from the respective park. Visitors also have an hour to spend with a troop of golden monkeys or a family of gorillas.

When to go for the Golden Monkey & Gorilla Trekking

Golden monkey trekking and gorilla tracking are best enjoyed at any time of the year. However, the peak dry season offers ideal conditions for you to experience the best of gorilla and golden monkey trekking adventures.

As you pick the right timing for your adventure, bear in mind that the dry season (June-September, December, January, & February).

Budget travelers on African tours can also plan and book golden monkey or gorilla trekking safaris, tailoring them around the off or low season.

This can be during the long wet or off-months of the year, from March, April, to May, or book your flawless adventure around the short low season from October to November.

What to Take for Your Golden Monkey & Gorilla Trekking Tour

Here is what you should carry or take for your golden monkey or gorilla trekking safari: a raincoat or jacket, gardening gloves, a safari hat, a camera, a water bottle, waterproof hiking boots, a pair of socks, long-sleeved shirts, and a daypack.

How to Book Golden Monkey Tracking and Gorilla Safaris

Contact Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd now to book your affordable golden monkey tracking tour or gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda or Uganda.

We are the best African safari company to book the best of primate tours in Uganda and Rwanda. Book with us the gorilla safaris, golden monkey trekking tours, or combined with wildlife tours, cultures, and city tours, etc.