Only within this narrow highland strip do these animals exist. Sixty to seventy golden monkeys swing through the thick creaking bamboo. You don’t observe them, you try to keep up.
Where Only These Monkeys Exist
The estimated population of the Cercopithecus mitis kandti is 4,500 to 5,000 with only two habituated troops available for trekking. They are only found at altitudes of around 2,400 to 3,000 metres within the Volcanoes National Park, that is part of the Virunga Massif shared across Rwanda, DRC and Uganda.
The Golden Monkey Trek
A briefing at park headquarters before 7am. Groups of a maximum of 8 guests are assigned a specific habituated troop. The hike through the bamboo forest to the troops takes approximately 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on where the troop is ranging. The rangers track the troop daily, so it’s never far. Once found, visitors get one hour.
Conservation and the Communities Around the Park
Albertine Rift in the Volcanoes National Park is a biodiverse and threatened ecosystem, that sits on the edge of one of the most densely populated regions in Africa. The park boundary is on the literal edge of cultivated land. The monkey’s range is shrinking as the bamboo forest on the Virunga slopes contracts.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund partly established the habituated troops and was tasked with monitoring and research on these monkeys since 2003 alongside the Fund’s gorilla work. DFGF’s original camp Fossey was founded in 1967. DFGF operates out of the Karisoke Research Center, with nearly 60 years of unbroken presence inside the park. Community revenue-sharing from RDB permit fees, a percentage going directly to surrounding communities, has been credited with reducing poaching. This gives the local people a financial stake in the park’s wildlife.
Where to Stay Nearby
Amahoro Boutique Lodge is a family run lodge close to the park without the price of the big lodges.
Amarembo Boutique Retreat is found in Musanze. It is the closest retreat ABR has featured in the Volcanoes zone.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a member of the Governors’ Camp hotels with a revenue model that directly funds the community trust Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA). The lodge lease fee funds local projects and the conservation finance story is built into the room rates.
Planning Your Visit
Cost– USD $100 per person (golden monkey permit). Book via rdb.rw or through your lodge. Advance booking strongly recommended. Limited daily permits.
Access– Fly into Kigali International Airport. 2.5 hrs by road to Kinigi/Musanze (park entrance). Paved road most of the way. Most lodges arrange transfers.
Best Season– Jun–Sep, Dec–Jan (dry seasons) — better trails, clearer visibility
Clothing and Fitness
Moderate. Bamboo forest terrain with uneven ground, some steep sections. Lower altitude than gorilla trekking (starts ~2,400m). Good walking shoes or light hiking boots recommended. No specialist fitness required. Long sleeves and trousers recommended (bamboo and nettles). Minimum age: 12. No flash photography.
