What to expect on a Golden Monkey trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park in 2025-2026.

What to anticipate from a 2025–2026 golden monkey trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park. One of the distinctive safari pursuits offered in northwest Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is golden monkey trekking. The only other location for golden monkey trekking is Mgahinga National Park in southwest Uganda.

The only other location in Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park, which is a part of the Virunga region. In order to encourage tourism within Rwanda, the government offers discounts on permits if you book to visit two additional locations, such as Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park. Volcanoes National Park is the most popular safari destination for visitors.

A dominant male leads groups of 60 to 100 golden monkeys, which are slightly larger than average. They are particularly distinctive and easily recognized by the yellow-gold hue of their fur. Although they occasionally attack community gardens for food, golden monkeys primarily eat bamboo shoots and wild fruits.

What to anticipate on the day of the trek

At the park headquarters, golden monkey trekking begins early in the morning with a briefing on the guidelines to be followed. The expedition will formally begin once groups have been assigned to a golden monkey family following the briefing. Following the routes that the golden monkeys have left behind, such as bamboo shoots and leaves, is the simplest method to trek them.

Trekking requires patience because golden monkeys are gregarious animals that move around a lot. Depending on whose family you are assigned to, it could take anything from thirty minutes to five hours. You can see a variety of wildlife species at the Volcanoes National Park while trekking, including endemic and foreign bird species, vervet and red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, mountain gorillas, baboons, and tree and plant species.

After the knowledgeable tour guide helps you find the golden monkeys, you spend an hour with them, learning about their habits, taking pictures and films, watching them eat, hopping from tree to tree, and tending to their young.

Permit for Golden Monkey Trek

There are a few things to consider when buying Golden Monkey Trek permits, and these are: Since a deposit is not accepted, the permit must be reserved in advance and paid for in full. Visitors must present their permits at the Visitor Center for validation, which entails presenting a copy of their trek permit or the reference number they were provided at the time of booking.

What does the trek permit cover? An hour with the golden monkeys, an expert guide, and two armed rangers for security are all included in the Golden Monkey trip permit. However, it excludes any personal purchases, lodging, refreshments, and tips.

Price of a Golden Monkey trekking permission: Compared to a gorilla permit, the Golden Monkey trekking permit is less expensive, though this also depends on the type of traveler you are. Each journey costs 4000 RWF for Rwandans, $100 for foreign visitors, $80 for foreign residents, and $65 for East Africans.

Even during the busiest times of the year, Golden Monkey permits are more readily available and easier to obtain than gorilla trekking permits. This does not imply, however, that you should take your time making reservations. In addition to buying your permits in advance, we always urge our guests to make reservations well in advance and combine the golden monkey safari with other activities into a single, large trip.

Can I obtain Golden Monkey trek permits at the last minute? Because there aren’t many people interested in the activity, last-minute permits are accessible. However, we recommend that travelers make reservations well in advance, particularly if gorilla trekking is one of the activities they want to do. You can obtain both the Golden Monkey and gorilla trekking permits on the days you want to travel if you make your reservations in advance.

How to reserve a Rwandan safari permit for the Golden Monkey Trek

You may reserve Golden Monkey hiking permits in Rwanda directly from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) by email, phone, or their official website (IREMBO website). For assistance in scheduling the permit and planning your Golden Monkey safari, get in touch with us as well.

The first step in the simple booking procedure is to get in touch with us and provide all the information you need, such as your name as it appears on your passport, the date, month, and year you would like to travel to the country for a Golden Monkey walk safari. After that, we verify if the permit is available on the date you have selected.

If it is, you will be asked to pay a deposit, and the permits will be reserved as soon as the money is received. The best course of action is to make a reservation with us since we assist with obtaining the permit and planning your safari, which includes transportation, additional activities, safari to other locations, and lodging.

Is it worthwhile to trek Golden Monkeys in Rwanda?

Because you may observe endangered animals and other wildlife in the national park and contribute to the preservation of the natural habitat that the locals once damaged through poaching and encroachment, golden monkey trekking is well worth the money.

The bamboo trees that the golden monkeys often eat are protected with the money raised from golden monkey trekking. Through the government, the local community benefits from the money paid at the national park entrance.

Guidelines for the Golden Monkey Trek in Volcanoes National Park

The Rwanda Development Board created trek guidelines for all hikers to adhere to in order to prevent the extinction of golden monkeys, which are an endangered species. Among the rules are:

All visitors must be at least 15 years old to trek the golden monkeys; anyone younger than that is not permitted.
Before entering the national park, all visitors are required to provide a copy of their permit.
Once you have located the family to whom you have been assigned, you must maintain a 7-meter distance from the golden monkeys in order to safeguard them.
The golden monkeys cannot be fed by tourists.

It has been forbidden to eat or drink around the monkeys.
After finding the monkeys, visitors can spend an hour with them.
The golden monkeys’ behavioral routines will be disturbed by sudden noises, so turn off your phone or put it on flight mode.

You should only volunteer to stay off trekking if you are feeling ill, especially if you have the flu or a cough. The primary concern is that once the monkeys are impacted, hundreds more could be wiped out.
You must carry all of your trash with you until you locate a dustbin since the national park needs to be kept clean at all times.

Since there are no restrooms, if you would like one, dig a hole 30 cm deep (guides typically provide digging equipment), and then cover the hole completely to prevent infection.
Turn down your camera’s flash before snapping pictures of the golden monkeys. The flashlight may scare golden monkeys away because they are not accustomed to it.
When among golden monkeys, refrain from smoking. Only if you are more than 300 feet away from the golden monkeys is this permitted.

How many days are required for the Rwandan Golden Monkey Trek?
The suggested number of days is three, however it will depend on your vacation budget and other itinerary items. In Volcanoes National Park, you can choose between a 4-day golden monkey and gorilla trip or a 3-day golden monkey safari.

Packing list for a Rwandan golden monkey safari
Because you want to avoid packing extraneous stuff, safari packing lists are always crucial for a fun-filled adventure. For that reason, we have created a list to assist you with packing.

Ankle-length hiking boots that are sturdy for the national park’s terrain.
clothing in neutral hues (the best options are long-sleeved shirts, undershirts, and pants).
A rain jacket that is waterproof (for both the dry and wet season)
A cozy sweater for the winter
By tucking pants into the socks, you can prevent insects from creeping on your body and stay warm.
Glasses with a sun hat
A decent camera with extra batteries and lenses. The point-and-shoot camera is the greatest option if this is your first time.
Binoculars
Water, a prepared lunch, and some snacks
Sunscreen and insect repellent to prevent insect bites
A daypack to assist in carrying everything you’ll need for the hike, such as water, food, sunscreen, bug repellant, and photographic gear.
You can be given a walking stick, particularly in muddy and slick conditions.
A package for first aid
Wet wipes, biodegradable toilet paper, footwear, refillable water bottles, and amenities for use after the hike.

The ideal time of year to trek golden monkeys in Rwanda

Golden monkey trekking is an activity that may be combined with other safari pursuits in the nation, making it possible to do it year-round. However, because the trek trails are easy to use and easy to identify during the dry season, this is the ideal time of year for Golden Monkey trekking. Even though it is regarded as a favorable time for travelers who prefer fewer crowds, the rainy season is an excellent time to go golden monkey trekking, but you must be prepared to battle the rains and muddy and slippery terrain.

Options for lodging during a Rwandan golden monkey trek
During a Golden Monkey Trek safari, a number of lodging options are available, ranging from basic or inexpensive lodging to mid-range and luxury lodging. Kingi Guest House, One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Garden Place Hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Five Volcanoes Boutique, Virunga Lodge, Garr Hotel, Le Bamboo Gorilla Village, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, La Palme Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Faraja Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, and Ruzizi Tented Lodge are a few of the establishments in the vicinity of Volcanoes National Park.

Additional operations in Volcanoes National Park
In addition to trekking golden monkeys, you can engage in the following other activities when visiting Volcanoes National Park:

Gorilla trekking: With roughly ten habituated gorilla families, this is the primary activity conducted at Volcanoes National Park. Once the designated gorilla family has been found, visitors can spend an hour with the endangered mountain gorillas.

Climbing mountains: The three volcanic mountains that make up the Virunga region are located in Volcanoes National Park, and each one offers visitors stunning and distinctive landscapes. Mount Muhabura, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Karisimbi—the tallest mountain in the Virunga region—are all suitable for hiking.

Cultural excursions: Have the opportunity to see the local people and discover more about Rwanda’s distinctive culture. Additionally, you get the chance to take part in the Kwita Izina, which is held every year and is when infant gorillas are given names.

Accessing National Park Volcanoes
It takes around two hours to drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, which is situated in the northwest of Rwanda. A safari car with a driver’s guide will be waiting for you at Kigali International Airport (if you made a reservation with us) to take you to the park’s headquarters for your golden monkey safari.