Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Combo 2026-2027

Gorilla and golden monkey trekking combo offers an exceptional primate experience to adventure seekers on African safaris.

Both gorilla and golden monkey trekking adventures involve penetrating deeper into the African jungle to see mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, respectively.

Golden monkeys and mountain gorillas stand out among Africa’s unique attractions.

By combining the two trekking sessions, you get a lifetime opportunity to interact with the world’s rarest apes in their habitat.

What awaits you on the actual gorilla and golden monkey interaction includes exploring in detail the daily behaviors of the two apes and taking pictures.

Above all, you have a chance to appreciate Africa’s biodiversity and conservation success stories.

Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Uganda presents you with multiple opportunities. In Uganda, you can trek mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Or visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track mountain gorillas and cross to Mgahinga for golden monkey tracking.

Up to 5 sectors in Uganda alone can be visited to trek mountain gorillas, including Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo (specifically in Bwindi), and Ntebeko (in Mgahinga).

Combining gorilla and golden monkey safaris in Uganda is 100% possible through Flawless Adventure Planners.

We are expert planners in the most affordable primate adventures such as gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking.

Golden monkey tracking in Uganda

In Uganda, golden monkeys only reside in the scenic bamboo forests of Mgahinga National Park. This is located in Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda, and is where travelers can get a chance to trek fully habituated golden monkey troops.

Like Rwanda, Mgahinga’s golden monkey treks involve penetrating through the lush bamboo forest slopes. You can be led by an experienced Mgahinga park ranger guide.

Overall, there are about 3000-4000 golden monkeys left in the wild today. They dominate the Virunga circuit –Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking

Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda offers yet another amazing opportunity to enjoy both golden monkey and mountain gorilla trekking in one destination.

Volcanoes National Park is the priority destination when it comes to both golden monkey and mountain gorilla encounters.

Golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park can be trekked starting from the Kinigi area.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, currently contains between 380 and 400 mountain gorillas out of about 600 individuals that survive in the Virunga circuit.

The Virunga region expands to Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC.

Volcanoes National Park isn’t an ordinary destination in Africa. It also holds an incredible history of Dian Fossey, who dedicated her time to research on mountain gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park golden monkey treks are conducted on the 2 habituated troops. The biggest golden monkey troop comprises between 80 and 100 individuals.

In Rwanda’s Virunga circuit, these unique primates survive around the Sabyinyo Mountain slopes.

They spend most of their time in the high-altitude and bamboo forests of the Virunga area.

Golden monkeys are generally playful, with a dominant male often taking the lead of the entire troop.

Golden monkeys derive their diet from bamboo shoots, wild fruits, and leaves. These primates are popular for their exceptional golden-orange fur that contrasts with the black limbs, cheeks, and tails.

A normal trek with golden monkeys can extend between 1 and 3 hours, although this depends on their location.

Gorilla and Golden monkey Trekking permits

The cost of the permits for gorilla and golden monkey trekking varies from country to country. Here is a breakdown of the gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda.

Uganda gorilla permits starting 2027

  • Foreign non-residents: USD 800 per person.
  • Foreign non-residents visiting during low/off-peak season (April, May, & November): USD 600 per person.
  • Foreign residents (those with work permits or expats): USD 700 per visitor.
  • The Rest of Africa (non-East African Community): 500
  • East African citizens on Uganda gorilla safari: UGX 300,000 per person.

Gorilla habituation experience 2027

  • Foreign non-residents: US $ 1800
  • Foreign residents: $ 1600 per person
  • Rest of Africa: US$ 1000
  • East African citizens: UGX 750,000
  • Rwanda gorilla trekking permit cost
  • Foreign non-residents: US$ 1500 per visitor.
  • Promotional off-peak season: $1050 per visitor (if you plan to have a 2-night stay in Nyungwe or Akagera).
  • East African community citizens or Rwandans: USD 200 per person.

Note: the standard gorilla trekking permits offer 1 hour of up close with an already habituated gorilla group. 8 visitors is the maximum number that is accepted to explore a single gorilla family each day. The gorilla trek is only done by persons above 15 years.

Where to Stay

Securing the right accommodation option is key when it comes to gorilla and golden monkey trekking adventures.

Accommodation options to consider on Uganda gorilla safaris include;

Burunga Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.

The gorilla safari lodges to stay on tour in Mgahinga include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Travellers Rest Hotel, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge or lodges around Rushaga/Nkuringo.

Volcanoes National Park lodges and camps:

Bisate Lodge, Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, and Da Vinci Lodge.

When to travel for gorilla and golden monkey trekking

Golden monkey and gorilla trekking are best enjoyed during the peak dry months.

The typical dry months to consider when planning a dream primate adventure like this extend from June to September or December to February.

It is around these special dry months when the park trails remain less slippery.