Rwanda Golden monkey permits 

Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is carried out in Volcanoes National Park, which is best associated with Mountain gorillas. It harbours the endangered golden monkeys darting from one corner of the national park to the next in their playful nature. Rwanda, just like Uganda, offers an unforgettable golden monkey trekking experience with two habituated golden monkey communities. Golden monkey trekking is extremely flexible, unlike gorilla trekking, which is limited, and to participate in the exercise, you have to purchase a golden monkey trek permit, which can be purchased from the Rwanda Development Board or through a local tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris. 

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The golden monkey permit 

This is a document that is printed by the Rwanda Development Board for travellers 15 years and above to have access to the golden monkeys and the natural habitat where they are found. The trekking permit can be purchased from the RDB directly or through a tour operator, and after purchase, it gives you an hour with the primates, taking photos and learning about their behaviours. 

The cost of the golden monkey permit: The cost of the golden monkey trek permit in Rwanda differs depending on the category of tourists you belong to, including foreign non-residents, foreign residents, East African citizens and Rwandan citizens. The cost of the golden monkey trekking permit in Rwanda is:

$100 international visitors (foreign non-residents)

$65 for foreign residents (adults) and $45 for children

RWF 4000 for adult Rwanda citizens and RWF 2000 for children

$65 for adults and $45 for children-East African citizens

$80 and children pay $45- East African foreign residents.

The cost of the permit is set by the Rwanda Development Board, and in cases where there are changes, communication will be done on the official website.

How to book and purchase the golden monkey trekking permit in Rwanda:

The purchase of the golden monkey trek permit in Rwanda is much easier as compared to Uganda because it can be done online directly through RDB and through a tour operator. We advise tourists to always book through a trusted operator like Encounter Africa Safaris because it will not only help you book the permits, but it also helps with planning other services involved in the safari, some of which include accommodation and transport.

Get in touch with Encounter Africa Safaris with your trek dates in advance so that the availability of the permits can be checked. If the dates provided are already booked, you will be asked to choose from the available dates. After checking the availability, if the response is positive, you will be required to make payments for the permit.

After the payments have been made and confirmed, the tour operator will proceed to book and purchase the permits on your behalf, and a copy will be sent to you for record purposes.

Note that as the permits are being purchased, you will be required to send details about how many permits are being purchased, a copy of your valid passport with your photo, name, passport number and nationality visible.

When to book the golden monkey trek permit

The golden monkey trek permit in Rwanda needs to be booked at least 3 to 6 months before the trek date. This is to allow easy and proper planning of the safari, and to ensure that you have your place among the trekkers since the permits are always in demand throughout the year.

Inclusions and exclusions of the trek permit: The golden monkey permit in Rwanda includes an hour with the golden monkeys, ranger guide fees, armed ranger fees, security during the trek, and park entrance fees. The permit fee does not include accommodation, personal purchases, costs of other additional activities, transport and many others.

Who is eligible to get the trek permit? The golden monkey trek permit can be purchased by anyone across the world for as long as they are 15 years and above. You have to provide details of your passport to ensure that your age is verified before the purchase of he golden monkey permit is made.

The golden monkey trekking experience in Rwanda

Golden monkeys in Rwanda are playful creatures and can be seen moving all over the national park in search of food. The trek starts at the Kinigi park headquarters with a briefing from the guides about the dos and don'ts of golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After the briefing, each group of trekkers, together with a guide, will set off into the forests in search of the golden monkeys. Since the golden monkeys are always on the move, it might take 3o minutes to 6 hours before you locate them, and after finding them, you have an hour with the golden monkeys. In this hour, you will be able to record videos, take photos and learn about the golden monkeys and their daily behaviour.

What are the rules (regulations) for golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park? 

Just like Mountain gorillas, the golden monkeys are an endangered species which needs to be protected at all times, and this is where the trekking rules and regulations come in. These are recommended by the Rwanda Development Board to protect the golden monkeys and the trekkers. Below is a list of rules and regulations for golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. 

• A maximum of 8 people (12 years and above) are allowed to trek the golden monkeys per troupe. This is to limit the number of people as a means of protecting the environment, and to reduce the spread of diseases. 
• Each group has a limited time with the golden monkeys to avoid stressing them and limit disease transmission from humans to the golden monkeys. 
• No trash is allowed in the national park. Make sure that you dispose of the rubbish in the designated areas. Rubbish can greatly negatively affect the golden monkeys.
• Waste from humans is supposed to be buried in a hole 30cm deep. This is to make sure that the monkeys do not dig it up.
• Adhere to the distance limit that was put, which is 7 meters between you and the golden monkeys after you have located them. This ensures that you do not disrupt their day-to-day activities and reduce disease transmission. 
• No flash photography is allowed as this disrupts the golden monkeys. When taking photos, ensure that you use natural light. 
• Feeding the golden monkeys is strictly banned because it affects the natural balance of the monkeys, as they are supposed to hunt for their own food. 
• Smoke negatively affects the golden monkeys, and it has been strictly prohibited.  
• Touching and having any physical contact with the golden monkeys is banned and restricted for the safety of the monkeys and the trekkers. 
• Follow all the guidelines/restrictions given by the guides. These have enough experience with the golden monkeys and the natural habitat and know which routes to take and avoid. 
• Avoid leaving the trekking group and wandering around the national park. Volcanoes National Park is home to other species, and you might cause disruptions to their day-to-day lives. 

What can I bring for the golden monkey safari in Volcanoes National Park 

Several essential activities should be packed for an unforgettable golden monkey safari in Rwanda and these include long-sleeved shirts and trousers all in neutral colour, comfortable knee-length waterproof hike boots, waterproof rain jacket, warm sweaters, socks, garden gloves, gaiters, waterproof backpack, sunscreen, a camera with extra lenses, memory cards and batteries, refillable water bottle, energy snacks, first aid kit, insect repellent, and a walking stick among others. 

Is golden monkey trekking safe in Rwanda? 

Yes, golden monkey trekking is safe in Rwanda, and this is because of the rules and regulations that were set up to make sure that both the trekkers and golden monkeys are protected. You must also be vigilant by having personal safety measures like not walking around with a lot of cash on you and other valuables, avoiding walking at night and keeping close to the trek group. 

Is golden monkey trekking in Rwanda difficult? 

Volcanoes National Park is made up of different topographies, and this includes steep slopes and rocky areas. Trekkers are advised to have some level of physical fitness before embarking on the golden monkey trek in Volcanoes. You also need to follow all the guidelines given by the guides to be able to have a more friendly safari. 

What is the cost of the golden monkey safari in Volcanoes NP in Rwanda? 

The cost of the golden monkey safari in Rwanda differs depending on the safari package you have chosen, and these are luxury, mid-range and budget packages. There are other factors that need to be considered when determining the cost of the safari, and these include: 

The number of people in a (size of the group)  group: The higher the number of people in a trek group, the lower the cost of the safari per person because the people in the group share the costs of some services, including transport and accommodation. 

The number of days spent (length) on the safari: The more days you spend on your golden monkey safari, the higher the cost of the safari, because service providers charge per day for the services that they provide throughout the safari. 

Additional activities: The more additional activities that you add to your golden monkey safari, the more money you are going to spend and this is because each activity is billed differently, increasing the cost of the safari. Some of the activities you can join with Golden Monkey Trekking include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, game drives, bird watching and canopy walks, among others. 

The season/time of travel: When you book for the safari during the peak/dry season, you end up spending more on your safari because many service providers end up hiking their fees due to the high number of tourists during this period. And when you travel during the low season, you are bound to get a few discounts, especially from accommodation. 

How many people are allowed to trek the golden monkeys in Rwanda? 

Although golden monkey trekking is not as strict as gorilla trekking, there is a limit to the number of people trekking per troupe, and this is 8. The limit was set to reduce infections from humans to golden monkeys, to reduce the stress on the primates and at the same time protect the natural habitat of the golden monkeys. 

When to go for golden monkey trekking in Rwanda

Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda can be done all year round but the best time to go for the exercise is during the drier season, June to August, and December to January. The trails are clearer and much easier to use, the weather is pleasant as compared to the rainy season, and it is easier to enjoy the trek without distraction from the rain that the drier season is also the peak season in Rwanda which means that the lodges fill up easily and there are a lot of tourists in the country inc,reasing the cost of the safari. Tourists must book for the golden monkey permit in advance if you plan to go for the safari during the drier months.

If you are feeling adventurous, consider the low/rainy season, March to May, but expect rains, mist in the forests and slippery and muddy trails. Although it might not be conducive for many tourists, there are perks about travelling during the rainy season, and these are fewer crowds and discounts on some of the lodges.

What other activities can I carry out in Rwanda?

There are so many activities that you can combine with golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, and these include chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, game drives in Akagera National Park, canopy walk in Nyungwe, guided nature walks, bird watching, boat rides and gorilla trekking, among others.

Get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris to customise your golden monkey trekking safari in Rwanda by securing your permit, accommodation options and planning your transport to and from the park.