Golden monkey trekking in Uganda is carried out in Mgahinga National park located in the southern part of Uganda also known for gorilla trekking with only one recognized gorilla family Nyakagezi and Hirwa family (the visitor from Rwanda) which recently migrated from Rwanda while Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is carried out in Volcanoes National park which is situated in the north western part of Rwanda also known for gorilla trekking with over 10 habituated gorilla families.
Golden monkey trekking permit in Uganda currently cost 50 US dollars for foreign nonresidents, 40 US dollars for foreign residents and 20000 for citizens while golden trekking permit in Rwanda goes up to 100 US dollars.
Golden monkeys of Volcanoes National park in Rwanda are in two groups all situated in mountain Sabinyo where one group has over 90 individuals while golden monkeys in Mgahinga National park are not in group but stay in Nuclear families.
The driving distance and time from Entebbe airport to Mgahinga National park is approximately 9-10 hours drive while the driving distance from Kigali airport is approximately 2-3 hours drive which makes easy to trek golden monkeys in Rwanda compared to Uganda. However Mgahinga National park can also be accessed by air means from Entebbe airport to Kisoro airstrip for one hour and then drive to Mgahinga. There is also an option of flying in to Kigali airport and trek golden monkeys in Mgahinga National park in Uganda – driving hours, 3-4.
There is Golden monkey habituation in Mgahinga National park at a cost of 100 US dollars. You are given four hours in the presence of Golden monkeys – see their behaviors, daily activities, take pictures and videos compared to one hour golden monkey trekking in Rwanda where there is no Golden Monkey Habituation.