Golden monkey trekking experience vs. gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda: Tourists interested in viewing the endangered primate species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift, which occupies Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, can choose Rwanda as the best destination for viewing these endangered primates, such as golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. Click here to view the mountain gorilla trekking tours.

Tourists who are interested in engaging themselves in either golden monkey trekking or mountain gorilla trekking should opt for the primate safaris in Rwanda. This favorite article will help you explore these two activities and learn more about the differences between golden monkey trekking and gorilla trekking that may enhance your amazing safari experience in Rwanda. Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

Golden monkey trekking and mountain gorilla trekking can be done in national parks in Rwanda, and in Uganda, you can also observe in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where tourists can see golden monkeys as well as mountain gorillas.

For the mountain gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda and the golden monkey trekking permit, tourists can book them directly from the Rwanda Development Board or their trusted tour operator in the country.

Tourists should note that for those interested in gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 per person per trek, while the golden monkey trekking permit costs $100 per person, making golden monkey trekking cheaper than mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda. For price-sensitive tourists, the golden monkey trekking experience is the best primate safari you should participate in to watch the endangered primates in the jungle.

Golden Monkeys

While differentiating between mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda with the ease to locate the habituated mountain gorilla family and the habituated golden monkey family, tourists should be aware that it is easier to access the golden monkey troops because they always move within the lowland areas of the Virunga chained mountains, which may not be the case with the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas always move in the higher elevation of between 8000 feet to 13000 feet high. Mountain gorilla trekking is much more difficult than golden monkey trekking in Rwanda; see Golden Monkey Trekking Vs Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.

The number of tourists who trek mountain gorillas or golden monkeys varies, which may help tourists decide whether to trek mountain gorillas or golden monkeys. The mountain gorilla trekking experience, like the golden monkey trekking experience, is limited to a maximum of 8 tourists per habituated gorilla family.

The golden monkey trekking experience in Rwanda is active in that tourists get a chance to track golden monkeys as they move along the different trekking trails because golden monkeys are so active that they swing from one tree branch to another, which is not the same as mountain gorillas that can be trekked in the same area because mountain gorillas are gentle primate species when they are not provoked.

Tourists should note that golden monkey trekking also helps them discover more attractions within Volcanoes National Park because it offers an active activity. Birdwatching is another popular activity in Volcanoes National Park, with species such as the long-crested eagle, handsome Francolin, paradise flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis Dusky Turtle Dove, archer's ground robin, marsh harrier, African Rwenzori, double-collared sunbird, grey-throated tit, Ruwenzori turaco, red-faced woodland warbler, and Ruwenzori nightjar.

After your mountain gorilla safari or golden monkey trekking safari in Rwanda, you can participate in other Rwandan tourist attractions for an unforgettable lifetime experience, such as these.

Game viewing at Akagera National Park gives tourists an opportunity to watch the big five animals of Rwanda and other rewarding wildlife species such as elands, gazelles, and African rhinos grazing within the savannah plains, impalas, and many more. Akagera National Park also offers tourists a chance to enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, which allows tourists to observe the endangered shoebill stork and kingfishers catching their prey in the water.

Participate in a chimpanzee trekking experience at Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest National Park is the only national park in Rwanda offering chimpanzee trekking, which allows tourists to observe chimpanzee behavior in the wild. Chimpanzees are also playful primates in the jungle. 

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park takes travelers to look for the habituated mountain gorilla families in the African jungle and spend an hour watching them play and groom each other in their natural habitat. 

Golden monkey trekking involves Searching for the habituated golden monkey community in the forest, once you have spotted the allocated family, travelers are only given an hour with the golden monkeys. 

Volcano climbing, Hike to the top of one of the five Volcanoes National Park's three extinct volcanoes for the endless views of the surrounding area; tourists can choose from many volcanoes to hike from, such as Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Sabyinyo, among others.

Dian Fossey's grave hike, hiking to the grave of the greatest primatologist and zoologist who contributed so much to protecting mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. 

Musanze Cave: Move on foot through an underground cave using strong torches and walking sticks to explore where the Rwandan government used to store food during wars back in the day.

Cultural tours: Learn about Rwanda’s local cultural practices through guided walks and community visits at Iby’iwacu cultural experiences near Volcanoes National Park. 

Birding, or birdwatching, can be done at Volcanoes National Park in the tropical rainforest. Bird species that can be seen include the red-faced woodland warbler, Lagden’s bush shrike, Rwenzori batis, and Rwenzori turaco, among others. 

The best time to explore volcanoes national park is in the long dry seasons. The dry season starts from June to September and again in December to February.