Here is a guide to the permit costs for golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, along with cost considerations for other exciting primate experiences you can have in the country.
All prices are per person for Foreign Non-Residents. Prices are often lower for Rwandan citizens, East African citizens, and foreign residents.
1. Golden Monkey Trekking
Rwanda Primate Trekking: Golden Monkeys
This is a fantastic and highly recommended experience, often considered a great complement or alternative to gorilla trekking.
- Location: Volcanoes National Park
- Permit Cost: $100 USD
- Experience: This permit allows you to join a guided trek to find one of the two habituated troops of golden monkeys. These playful and active primates live in the bamboo forests on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. The experience usually lasts a few hours in the morning, including one hour of observation time.
2. Alternative Primate Experiences & Costs
Rwanda offers incredible primate diversity beyond golden monkeys and gorillas, primarily in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
A. Chimpanzee Trekking
This is the premier primate experience in Nyungwe Forest. It’s an early-morning activity where you track a large, semi-habituated group of chimpanzees.
- Location: Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Permit Cost: $250 USD
- Experience: The cost for this permit is higher as it is a more intensive trek. The fee typically includes the park entrance, expert guides, and trackers. Chimps are highly mobile and vocal, making this a thrilling and dynamic tracking experience.
B. Colobus Monkey Trekking
Nyungwe is famous for its massive, habituated troops of Angola colobus monkeys. It’s not uncommon to see troops of several hundred individuals, which is a truly unique and spectacular sight.
- Location: Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Permit Cost: ~$40 – $60 USD
- Important Cost Consideration: This trekking permit is often in addition to the Nyungwe Forest National Park entrance fee (which is approximately $100 USD for 24 hours). The total cost would therefore be around $140 – $160 USD. This is a less strenuous trek than the chimpanzee tracking and offers amazing photographic opportunities.
Cost Comparison at a Glance
| Primate Experience | Location | Permit/Activity Fee | Notes |
| Golden Monkey | Volcanoes Nat’l Park | $100 | A popular half-day activity. |
| Chimpanzee | Nyungwe Forest Nat’l Park | $250 | Fee generally includes park entry. |
| Colobus Monkey | Nyungwe Forest Nat’l Park | ~$140 – $160 | This is an estimated total, combining the trekking permit (~$40-$60) and the park entry fee (~$100). |
| Mountain Gorilla | Volcanoes Nat’l Park | $1,500 | The premier (and most costly) primate trek. |
Recommendation: Booking your permits in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak season. You can do this through the official Rwanda Development Board (RDB) portal or via a reputable local tour operator.
