Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Established in 1991, Mgahinga Gorilla national park features among Uganda most exceptional national parks that you should consider visiting during your next vacation in Uganda and Africa at large. The park covers an area of about 33.7 square kilometers making it the smallest protected in Uganda. Its establishment was mainly to offer refuge to most of its dense forests, mountain gorillas, the rare golden monkeys, bird species and many more.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

About 80 rare mountain gorillas call this park their home and only one group is habituated and ready for visitors to track each day. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies at altitude of about 2.227m and 4.127m, south western Uganda. Besides, the park also features 3 (three) of the eight Virunga Mountain ranges (Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura). These mighty Virunga volcanoes stretch up to the Virunga Volcano range of the East Central Africa, Albertine rift in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Uganda border.

Mgahinga National Park is popular for its thick vegetation, a reason why the area is one of the most rainfall catchment destinations in the country with several crater lakes on the mount Muhabura and swamp crater on the mount Gahinga summit as well as amazing swamps that lie within the 3 volcanoes. The park is also surrounded by the Batwa pygmies-the famous forest dwellers who are believed to have stayed in the jungles for over 500.000 years and left without any effect.

Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park can be reached by road or air.

By road, you will take the Kampala, Kabale, Kisoro and you will spend about 8 to 10 hours’ drive. For visitors who will opt for air means of transportation, you can fly from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi and then land into Kisoro airstrip. From here, connect to your lodge / hotel or to the park by road, less than an hour drive.

Access from Kigali – Rwanda

Instead of driving for 10 hours from Kampala, some visitors fly to Kigali International Airport and cross to Mgahinga National park through Cyanika boarder crossing and this is less than 4 hr drive. This route has become very popular ever since the price of Rwanda gorilla permits doubled to USD1500 per person. Mgahinga Gorilla Park now receives many guests especially for short trips like 1 day gorilla trip from Kigali or 2 day gorilla tour.

Where to stay in Mgahinga National Park?

Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge

While on safari to Mgahinga National Park, you will expect to spend a night in one of the most comfortable safari lodge that leaves a memory in you. The best accommodation facilities for you to spend night include mount Gahinga safari lodge in Ntebeko managed by Volcanoes Safaris; lake Mutanda chameleon hill lodge in Mutanda; Lake Chahafi Resort, Kisoro travelers rest hotel and river much hotel in Kisoro and many more.

Tourist activities in Mgahinga National Park

Mountain gorilla trekking

A visit to Mgahinga National Park rewards visitors with lifetime travel experiences in mountain gorilla tracking adventures. Mountain gorilla adventures in this park attract about 75% of the travelers from across the world mainly to strike their imaginations with these rare apes while in their natural habitat. In Uganda, Mgahinga National Park is the second gorilla destinations after Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park that you can pay a visit to track the gorillas. For interested visitors, you will track the Nyakagezi habituated gorilla group and your treks start from the Ntebeko entrance gate.

Nature walks/hiking adventures

Hiking adventures at Mgahinga National Park offer you a chance to hike through the thick forest to the Sabyinyo gorge that also features as the best site for birding safaris and interestingly, visitors can catch a glimpse at the Rwenzori Turaco. The hikes through this park last for about 4 hours through the Rugezi the popular spot for birding. The hikes also allow you to explore the transcending vegetation zones along the Congo borders where you will glace several calderas. Other incredible wildlife species for you to spot out include the rare golden monkeys at the Bamboo jungle.

Birding safaris in Mgahinga

If you love birding, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is undeniably one of the birders paradises that you shouldn’t miss to pay a visit. The most popular birding area is mostly the gorge trail between the Sabyinyo and the Gahinga. Visitors on birding adventures in Mgahinga National Park reward visitor with spectacular views of the Dusky turtle dove, cape robin chat, black headed waxbill, streaky seed-eater, blue headed sun bird, regal sun bird and others.

Volcano climbing

Mgahinga National Park refuges all the 3 mighty Virunga Mountains and volcano climbing features among the safari highlights in the park especially on the summit of mount Sabyinyo about 3669 for 8 hours is such amazing adventure for you; you can as well do mountain climbing in mount Gahinga about 3474m and chance to glace swamps full of craters and giant lobelia. Most interestingly here is that you will glace the rare golden monkeys as they head to the Bamboo jungle or you can choose to climb mount Muhabura one of the highest peaks of about 4127m and experience a lot of clear scenic views of the lake Edward, Virunga volcanoes and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as well as the several peaks of the Rwenzori mountains.

Cultural encounters

After mountain gorilla adventures at the park, never miss to pay a visit to one of the cultural communities adjacent at the park and interact with the Batwa pygmies. There is Batwa trail, that takes you through cultural exploration with the Batwa the famous forest dwellers, hunters and gatherers to explore more about their ancient lifestyles. Your presence in the cave is such an incredible moment that you will never wish to leave but rather opt for yet another return to the destination.

Golden Monkey Tracking

The other incredible activity that you shouldn’t miss out in this park is golden monkey tracking. Besides the rare mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is also famous as one of the areas where silver meets gold due to its striking golden monkeys.
In conclusion therefore, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park that rewards visitors with variety of natural wonders. The park features wide range of attractions right from primates, volcanoes to bird life.