Want to learn about the monkey species found in Mgahinga? While Mgahinga is best known for its mountain gorillas, it is also home to other interesting primates, especially monkeys.
Deep in the jungles, there are mainly two monkey species — golden monkeys and blue monkeys.
Golden monkeys are the most well-known and are found mostly in the bamboo zones of Mgahinga Forest. They are easy to recognize by their golden-orange patches that stretch from their back to their tail and cheeks, with darker colors on the legs, arms, and face. This gives them a unique and attractive appearance compared to other monkeys.
Golden monkeys are social animals that live in groups of about 60 to 80 individuals. They are very playful and active, often jumping from branch to branch even when tourists are nearby.
Their diet mainly includes leaves, shoots, fruits, and small invertebrates. Their feeding habits depend on the season. During the dry season, they feed mostly on fruits, while in the rainy season, they eat more leaves.
Golden monkeys can live up to 19 years in the wild. The gestation period is about five months, and the young are born with their eyes open. Mothers take care of the young ones for up to two years before they become independent.
Visitors to Mgahinga can see golden monkeys during activities such as golden monkey trekking, which was introduced to increase tourism experiences in the park. A trekking permit costs around USD 100. Tourists can also see these monkeys during guided nature walks through the forest.
The other species found in Mgahinga is the blue monkey, which is considered the parent species of the golden monkey. Despite the name, blue monkeys are not actually blue but have blue-gray or dark olive fur.
Blue monkeys live in smaller groups compared to golden monkeys, and the groups are usually led by females. They feed on fruits, leaves, and small insects. Blue monkeys are rarely seen by visitors, making every sighting a special experience.
The survival of these monkeys depends on the continued protection of Mgahinga Forest. Conservation efforts such as law enforcement, regular patrols, research, and monitoring are helping to ensure their safety.
The presence of golden and blue monkeys adds more beauty and richness to the wildlife of Mgahinga.
