Month: October 2025

Golden monkey trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

Golden monkey trekking activities are some of the fascinating touristic activities that have taken shape and gained popularity in the past two decades among travelers in East Africa. This activity takes place in the Virunga Mountain ranges where these primates are endemic to. Golden monkeys are a subspecies of the blue monkey and there are other monkeys in Eastern Africa that almost look like these orange- and gold-colored primates. They inhabit the forests in central Africa, especially in the highlands. Golden monkeys prefer bamboo habitats and that is where they are usually trekked.

Golden monkey trekking national parks in Uganda and Rwanda.

Uganda and Rwanda host the endangered golden monkeys. They can be found in the thick rainforests where national parks have been gazetted in the past two decades to ensure they are protected and conserved for the next generations. The national parks encompass;

Mgahinga national park.

Mgahinga National Park is the only National Park in Uganda that hosts golden monkeys. The park is located in the southwest of Uganda in Kisoro district and occupies an area of approximately 33.7 square kilometers. Mgahinga spans 3 of the 8 Virunga mountains that are great habitat for the golden monkeys. It is on the slopes of the mountains that the golden monkey’s exciting adventure takes place.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is comprised of two thick primeval rainforests that is to say Gishwati and Mukura after which the park is named. The park occupies an area of about 34 square kilometers in the northwest of Rwanda. It is a renowned home to several primates and golden monkeys are a section of them. Serious tourism in the park started in 2019 and it is now booming due to the popularity of the activities therein, a reason why an adventure-seeking traveler should check it out whenever in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park.

Sitting on an area of approximately 160 square kilometers in the north of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is a portion of the huge Virunga conservation area. It is home to five of the 8 Virunga mountains which are the exact place where the golden monkeys reside and their trekking activities are hosted.

Volcanoes are home to not only golden monkeys but other primates too, especially the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoests, blue monkeys and owl-faced monkeys not forgetting the beautiful bird species too, especially the East African endemics. They encompass green turacos, green breasted pitta, bar-tailed trogon, bush shrikes, African paradise flycatcher, African fish eagles, African green pigeons, African darters and jacanas.

Volcanoes National Park is a renowned one-stop center for golden monkey trekking in Rwanda and offers extremely sensational experiences.

How it is done and what it costs.

The golden monkey trekking activity enables the visitor to explore the forests in East Africa, moving through various landscapes on foot in search of exciting creatures.

Once encountered, visitors are allowed to spend at least an hour observing the golden monkeys. Taking pictures of them and learning several things about them. The tourist guides provide information about the genetics and other aspects of the lives of the golden monkeys which even make the trip more exciting and informative.

Golden Monkey trekking permits in Uganda can be purchased at $60.00 for foreign nonresidents, $60.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 40,000 for East African citizens and in addition to this you add the park entry fees. In Rwanda, the Golden Monkey permits cost $100 for the foreign nonresidents, $65 for the foreign residents, and Rwandan francs 4000 for the Rwandan citizens.

The most appropriate time to visit and trek golden monkeys.

Uganda and Rwanda are closely located near the equator though Rwanda is not crossed by it like Uganda. Due to that fact, they are blessed with two seasons every year that is to say the dry and wet seasons. The dry seasons are the best to traverse through the rainforests and mountainous terrain.

The dry seasons occur from May to September and December to early March.

The Bigodi community walk parades an experience of deep immersion into breathtaking nature. The pathways through the moist, riverine, and evergreen vegetation offer visitors the opportunity to marvel at some of the most exciting creatures there are in Uganda. Bigodi Community is located in the Bigodi wetland on the outskirts of Kibale National Park.

Experience of the Bigodi community walk.

The Bigodi community walk presents the chance to indulge in the swamp walks that in an exceptional way allow the visitor to appreciate the natural endowments of Uganda. Visitors get to observe the various types of wetland vegetation that are good for photography and videography since they form a visually appealing scenery.

The community walk helps visitors participate in empowering local communities. Various visits are launched to the homesteads and schools in the community to help empower and inspire them. This is done through several humanitarian work that helps boost the lives of the locals.

While on the walk, guests can spot several primates especially the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, and the blue monkeys that enjoy wandering in the nearby forests.

Travelers also have the golden opportunity to learn about the cultures and traditions of the local people. The Bakonzo who inhabit the villages around have such an exciting culture.

They are such a hospitable society that always welcomes visitors and showcases their unique traditional dances as a form of entertainment to the visitors in their land. Such exciting moments make the trip worthwhile.

How the community walk is conducted and how much it costs.

The Bigodi community walk is conducted under the full-time guidance of a professional tourist guide. The guide is well-versed with information about most creatures in the area and other aspects of the community.

They gladly share information with the visitors ensuring that they leave the community informed and happy with their experiences.

Under the company of the guide, visitors follow the paths in the villages, and conduct visits to the local primary school, and churches on the traditional homesteads.

Through these visits, guests get to learn about the way of life of the locals and enjoy the folklore as told by the elders in society. The elders are entrusted with the activity of storytelling due to the experience they’ve gathered over the years and the fact that they are eyewitnesses of some past historic events they talk about makes it even more rewarding.

Other activities to do in Bigodi.

Bird watching. Visitors can bypass the Bigodi sanctuary which is a concentration for the East African endemic bird species. Guests therefore have the opportunity to stare at beautiful birds especially shoebills, Black and white casqued hornbills, black bee eaters, cinnamons, cuckooshrike, egrets, and African jacanas.

Local food experiences. Visitors to the community get the golden opportunity to test the local cuisine. They have a taste of yams, matooke, millet, and some local brew made from sorghum for those who wish.

Crater lake viewing. The community is close to the breathtaking crater lakes of Ndali and Kassenda. They are endowed with beautiful scenery which makes the place a nice one to be at, admire nature in its purity, and escape the noise of the cities.

How to get to the Bigodi community.

The Bigodi community can be accessed by road. Visitors undertake the travel to the community in comfortable safari vehicles that can make it through several terrain types.

Visitors drive along the Kampala – Mubende – Fortportal highway. The drive to the community takes about 4 hours and 53 minutes covering the distance of approximately 276 kilometers.

Bigodi Community is approximately 30 kilometers from Fort Portal City and about 6 kilometers from Kibale Forest National Park.

Best time to visit.

Guests willing to participate in the Bigodi community walks need to note that the community can be accessed at any time of the year.

However, it is equally important to note that the dry seasons offer amazingly incredible experiences and come off as the best seasons in which one can indulge in community walks.

The dry seasons usually occur from June to September making up the long dry season. Conversely, the short dry season is always on from December, and January up to February.

CHIMPAZZE TREKKING IN UGANDA

The common or eastern chimpanzee of the two subspecies, is the only subspecies in Uganda with an estimated population of about 15000 individuals living in Kibale, Bugoma forest, Kalinzu forest reserve

WHERE TO FIND CHIMPAZEE IN UGANDA

Chimpanzee are trekked in different destinations as will be listed below

1. Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is the most popular for the chimpanzee and is considered as the best place to trek wild chimpanzee on earth, making it  the most ultimate highlights for the visitors to this park. Over several years of conservation and habituation ,the chance of seeing them has risen to over 95%

Kibale National Park is known as Uganda’s premier chimpanzee destination with over 30 years of trekking history .And it’s estimated that over 1500 chimpanzee lives in this area that’s approximately the same size as New York

HOW To purchase chimpanzee tracking permit

You can get chimpanzee trekking ticket trekking ticket at Uganda Wildlife Authority Park Head Quarters at $150 for Foreign Residents and $200 Foreign Non Residents

HOW TO get kibale national park

The quickest route to Kibale National Park by road is to via Kampala -Fort Portal high way ,the park can be reached over a fully tarmacked road for a distance of 326 km apploximately 6 hours .for the visitors over nighting in Fort Portal is only an hour drive away

HOW LONG DOES CHIMPANZEE TREKKING TAKES

The trek last about 3 hours and include maximum of one hour with chimpanzee, during which you can expect to see them personal and discover the beauty, intelligence and social structures

KyAMBURA GORGE

Chimpanzee trekking can be done at Kyambura Gorge located in the out skirts of Queen Elizabeth  National Park south western part, This gorge approximately has 80 chimpanzees which act as the main attraction in this sector of Queen Elizabeth National park with beautiful river sites .This activity in Kyambura Gorge happens at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm  at each designated time ,trekkers leave in groups ,this involves movements over a long distance on a rough terrain  as you also need to climb down  and up the underground forest

BUDONGO FOREST

Chimpanzee trekking is the most popular activity here followed by nature walks, over 600 chimpanzees call this largest forest home. Chimpanzee habituation experience takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be completed and its only carried out in the wet /low season during the months of March to May and October.

LOCATION OF BUDONGO FOREST

Budongo forest reserve is located in Masindi District and is part of Murchison Falls National Park covering area of 826 square meters, this forest is in north of Uganda’s capital city Kampala making 4 hours drive through road though one can access through air via pakuba air field

Chimpanzees are an exciting primate species inhabiting the Ugandan forests scattered all over the Western and southern parts of the country. Chimpanzee trekking as an outdoor tourism activity allows guests to spend ample time with chimpanzees, learning and unlearning multiple things about the lives of the primates. Chimpanzees are a species of great ape native to the forests and savannahs of tropical Africa. They have 4 genetically confirmed species with a 5th proposed one according to IUCN reports. Chimpanzees can be found in Uganda in the biodiverse tropical rainforests.

Chimpanzee locations in Uganda.

Kibale forest.

Lying on an area of about 795 square kilometers, Kibale National Park spans a thick tropical rainforest harboring up to 13 primate species including chimpanzees. It is blessed with beautiful and most diversified primeval forests in Uganda.

Kibale forest dominates the central and northern parts of the park along the Fort Portal plateau. The Kibale forest lies at the park’s northern tip which elevates up to 1590 metres above sea level. It is known as one of the best safari destinations in Africa and the world all over for chimpanzee trekking and habituation, A reason why it was named “the primate capital of the world”.

Budongo forest.

Budongo forest spans a wide semi-deciduous tropical rainforest located in the Albertine rift on the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park. The forest lies in the northeast of Lake Albert. It stretches to an area of about 825 square kilometers in the western region of Uganda covering some parts of the Hoima and Kikuube districts. Budongo Forest is a renowned home for both diurnal and nocturnal primates including the chimpanzees. It offers chimpanzee trekking activities too. The fact that it provides additional views of the underlying Lake Albert further makes it more beautiful and a place to be for a vacation and getaway from the day-to-day lives of bustling cities.

Kyambura gorge.

Kyambura Gorge unveils the extensive valley comprising a thick tropical rainforest. It is a renowned home to chimpanzees and several other primates. Kyambura Gorge showcases the beauty of a forest trapped in a valley on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It extends up to 100 meters deep.

The gorge is served by the river Kyambura tributaries that contribute to its overall beauty as they help serve it water all year round contributing to its evergreen look. This further makes it a better habitat for the chimpanzees since they do not have to move long distances and leave it in search of water and what to eat.

Kyambura offers exciting chimpanzee trekking activities throughout the year and therefore travelers seeking to spend time with chimpanzees should always endeavor to check it out.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking per destination.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda has different prices attached to it depending on the destination where one is going to trek. This is mainly because different destinations offer varied experiences.

Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park costs a nonnegotiable price of $200 for foreign non-residents, $150.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 150,000 for East African nationals.

In Budongo forest, trekking the chimpanzees goes for $130.00 for foreign non-residents, $120.00 for foreign residents, and $85 for East African citizens.

In Kyambura Gorge, the chimpanzee trekking activity costs $50.00 for foreign non-residents, $40.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 30,000 for East African citizens.

Favorable time to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

Trekking chimpanzees in Uganda is done throughout the year in all the destinations. The dry seasons however are the most favorable and appropriate times in which tourists can indulge in chimpanzee tourism activities.

The dry seasons are characterized by low rainfall which therefore present uninterrupted moments for visitors to trek the chimpanzees, and make their way through the thick rainforests with no hardships. The dry seasons run from June to September and December to February.