Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda: Where & What to Expect

The endangered golden monkey lives in the bamboo forests of the Virungas.

Golden monkey trekking is one of Rwanda’s most delightful and underrated wildlife experiences. These rare, brightly coloured primates live only in the Virunga region, and tracking them makes a wonderful complement to gorilla trekking, shorter, easier, and more affordable. This guide covers where to see them, what to expect, and how to plan.

Meet the golden monkey

The golden monkey is a striking and endangered primate, named for the vivid golden-orange fur across its back and flanks. Found only in the high-altitude forests of the Virunga Massif, it is playful, lively, and endlessly entertaining to watch as troops leap and forage through the bamboo. Because their range is so small, seeing them is a genuine privilege and a highlight for wildlife lovers.

Where to see golden monkeys

Golden monkey treks explore the bamboo zone at the foot of the volcanoes.

In Rwanda, golden monkeys are tracked in Volcanoes National Park, among the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the volcanoes. Habituated troops there are used to visitors, allowing you to approach and watch them at close range. The bamboo zone where they live is lower and easier to reach than the gorillas’ forest, which is part of what makes the trek so accessible. See our Volcanoes National Park guide for the wider picture.

What the trek is like

Golden monkey trekking is a shorter, easier alternative to the gorillas.

A golden monkey trek is generally shorter and gentler than a gorilla trek, often taking one to two hours of walking, which makes it well suited to families and less experienced hikers. After a morning briefing, a guide leads you into the bamboo to find a habituated troop, where you spend a magical hour watching them feed and play. It is lively, fast-moving, and a joy to photograph, though the monkeys’ constant motion is part of the fun.

Permits and practicalities

A golden monkey permit is required but costs considerably less than a gorilla permit, making it excellent value. Wear sturdy shoes and long layers for the bamboo, bring a camera without flash, and consider hiring a porter. As with all Virunga treks, the drier months bring the easiest conditions, though the trek runs year-round. For a comparison of all the region’s permits, see our gorilla trekking cost and permits guide.

Combine with gorilla trekking

Golden monkey trekking pairs perfectly with the gorillas, since both take place in the same park. Many travellers do the gorillas one day and the golden monkeys the next, for two very different but equally special primate encounters. It is an easy, rewarding addition to any Rwanda trip. See our Rwanda gorilla trekking guide to plan the pair.

Plan your golden monkey trek

We can build golden monkey trekking into a wider Rwanda itinerary alongside gorillas and a safari. Explore our Rwanda safari guide, or contact us to plan your trip.