Golden Monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda
The species of Golden monkeys belong to the ole world monkeys that reside in the Virunga volcanic section of East Africa and Central Africa.
Golden monkeys belong to the family with a botanical name (Cercopithecus Kandit). If you visit Rwanda, golden Monkeys are found in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, the best gorilla safari destination in Africa. In Uganda, golden monkeys are found in Mgahinga National park, another home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda. In other words, it’s noted that Golden Monkeys are sighted in highland forests of East and Central Africa.
It’s also important to note that, Golden monkeys are among the seriously endangered primate species. Rwanda has two troops of Golden monkeys, one batch rises up to 100 members while the other one, constitutes of fewer members. The first group rests upon the foot of the Mountain Sabyinyo.
Golden Monkey Habitat
They prefer staying in the bamboo and forest Zones and their movement is determined by the climatic changes and the prevailing season. Golden Monkeys move from areas of low food supply to where food is in abundance.
Social Behavior of Golden Monkeys
Golden monkeys stay in groups ranging from 60-80 members. Golden Monkey tracking was introduced in Mgahinga national park to supplement gorilla trekking of Nyakagezi group.
Endemic to the Albertine Rift, the golden monkey is characterized as a bright orange-gold body, cheeks and tail, contrasting with its black limbs, crown and tail end. The aim was to diversify tourism in the park and to attract more visitors in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Golden Monkeys keep on moving from one place to another to look for foods. They leave their sleeping areas and go in the jungle searching for food then later, they return to sleep. They highly concentrate and stay in areas with mixed bamboo and fruits. Golden monkeys sleep up in the bamboo trees in groups of four or more members.
Golden monkeys are playful as they jump from tree to tree and their playful behaviours make the time spent with them amazing. This means that travellers should keep a distance from the wild species, they can behave wildly at any time.
Food and Diet
The golden monkey has a diet that consists primarily of young bamboo leaves, fruits, bamboo branchlets, bamboo shoots, invertebrates, flowers, and shrubs. However, the golden monkey is an opportunistic feeder and diet can easily be influenced by the availability of fruit.
