Welcome to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda
Mgahinga National Park is also the best safari destination to explore in Uganda due to its unique navigable forest vegetation habitat that makes it appropriate for travelers to take clear photos of the Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. Mgahinga Gorilla Park comprises of the unique majestic Mountain Gorillas (One Gorilla Group) as well as the rare Golden Monkeys that are fond of the Bamboo which covers almost the whole Park.
Mgahinga National Park is located in the South West of Uganda after the busy town of Kisoro in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District covering an area of 33.7 kms2 hence the smallest National Park in Uganda. The Term Gahinga means a pile of volcanic stones in the local language. Within the Park are Mountain Volcanoes that can be hiked and these include; Mountain Muhavura Volcano, Mountain Sabinyo Volcano and Mountain Gahinga Volcano.
Mgahinga National Park adjoins with Volcanoes National Park Rwanda in the South and Virunga National Park DR Congo to the West. The Park includes the stunning viewpoint of the three Mountain Volcanoes just 15 minutes off thee Ntebeko Gate.
The Park comprises of one habituated Mountain Gorilla Group (Nyakagezi group) which is fun to watch as the Gorillas are unique with many characteristics and behavior on how they handle themselves in their forest vegetation habitat.
Other than the Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, the Park is known to offer amazing Batwa Cultural Encounters where you engage in unique Cultural traditions and customs of these local indigenous tribe.
The remarkable National Park occupies a place in the clouds within an altitude of 2,227m and 4,127m.
Mgahnga National Park comprises of more than 76 mammals like elephants, giant forest hog, bush pigs, bush back, Buffalos, leopards and bird species i.e 180 recorded.
Safari Activities to do in the Park
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is the most prominent safari activity to do in at Mgahinag National Park and this requires you to transfer with a valid Gorilla trekking Permit to the park headquarters for briefing on conduct around the Mountain Gorillas by a Mgahinga National Park ranger.
The guide informs you about the stunning Mgahinga National Park, wildlife species and Gorilla groups that inhabit the green forest vegetation habitat. After your short briefing, you are distributed into groups of 8 with a park ranger who leads you into the green forest to trek the Gorillas for 3-5 hours and when you meet the Gorillas stay in their presence for an hour taking many photos to keep.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Other than Gorilla Trekking, Golden Monkey Tracking is also very exceptional in the Park and involves transferring to the Park headquarters for short briefing on conduct around the Golden Monkeys than later in groups with a park ranger, follow different trails behind the Golden Monkeys taking photos of these as they jump from one tree branch to another for 2-4 hours.
After your Golden Monkey tracking Adventure, return to the park headquarters for your olden Monkey Tracking Certificate to take with you.
Bird Watching
Mgahinga National Park is very exceptional for all Bird watchers that are interested in watching the various bird species that inhabit the forest vegetation habitat. The Best Time to visit the Park for Bird watching in Mgahinga National Park is during the months of April to Mid-May and October to November.
The Bird species you watch include; the Black Kite, Pin-tailed whydah, Double-collared sunbird, Speckled mouse bird, Paradise flycatcher, Ibis, Speckled Mouse birds, Fire Finch Stonechat, Waxbills, Grey Capped Warbler, Archer’s robin chat, Blue-headed coucal, Dusky crimson wing, Kivu ground-thrush, Olive pigeon, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori turaco, Alpine, Yellow-Vented Bulbul mentioned but few.
Cultural Encounters
Mgahinga National Park is a perfect safari destination for all travelers looking for Cultural Adventures as they explore and visit the local Batwa people. Batwa people are the indigenous people that live in the green dense forest and were hunters, fruit gatherers as well as very tough warriors that depend on the forest for shelter, food and medicine.
Visit their traditional communities as well as interact with them as you learn about their rich culture as you transfer to the Batwa’s original Home. While on the nature walks, watch numerous species of wildlife, primates as you get enriched into their culture.
Mountain/Volcano Hiking-Trekking
Mgahinga National Park is perfect for all hikers/ trekkers from all over the globe as the park comprises of three different Mountain Volcanoes that can be hiked and these offer varying adventures. They include;
- Mount Muhavura Volcano which is a volcanic cone capped by a candid lake requiring you 5 hours to trek. It elevates from 1700 m to more than 4100 m and takes 6 hours to complete.
- Mount Sabinyo Volcano includes three differing peaks requiring you to hike to the top in 8 hours. While at the top of the Mountain Volcano, you are able to view all the three countries i.e Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Mount Sabinyo Volcano has climbing ladders on which hikers follow to get to the top of this challenging yet exciting hike.
- Mount Gahinga Volcano is the less challenging to hike as it can be hiked by all travelers interested even those that are not avid hikers. It requires 3 to 4 hours to hike to the top.
When to visit Mgahinga National Park for Gorilla Trekking
Mgahinga National Park can be visited anytime of the year however, the Best Time to visit the Park for Gorilla Trekking is during the dry season in the months of June to October the December to March. This is the Best Time since the grasses are not overgrown hence watching the Gorillas is quite easy and photography is clear.
How to get to Mgahinga National park Uganda
Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by use of both Road and Air Transport.
By Road;
Mgahinga National Park can be accessed By Road as you transfer in a 4×4 vehicle for Entebbe or Kampala via the Kampala-Masaka –Mbarara -Kabale to Kisoro then to Mgahinga National Park.
By Air;
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can also be accessed by use of Air as you fly from the Entebbe International Airport or the Kajjansi Airstrip where you board a domestic flight to the Kisoro Airstrip where you are picked up by a driver who transfers you to Mgahinga National Park.
Is Gorilla trekking Worth the Money at Mgahinga National Park
Gorilla Trekking at Mgahinga National Park is worth the Money as you get to trek the Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. You get to enter the green forest with clear cameras then trek/ search for the Mountain Gorillas for 3-5 hours and after you get to meet them, take many photos to keep.
How Much Does it Cost to watch Gorillas in Mgahinga National Park
Gorillas at Mgahinga National Park can be watched in their natural forest habitat with a valid Gorilla trekking Permit that costs US $700 per person interested. The Gorilla Trekking Permits can be accessed at the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through booking them with an authentic Tour Operator Agency who book and obtain this document on your behalf.
