Nyakagezi Gorilla Family
The Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only habituated mountain gorilla group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district. It is one of the most popular groups for gorilla trekking in the Virunga Massif. Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest national park in Uganda covering an area of 33.3km2
Nyakagezi gorilla group currently consists of 18 members following the birth of a new infant in November 2025. The family is famous for having an unusually high number of silverbacks (often 4 or 5) living together peacefully.it is led by the dominant silverback Mark, who took over from his father, Bugingo. Bugingo the oldest silverback in the group is believed to be more than 54 years old and still lives in the family which is a rare and interesting fact about the nyakagezi gorilla group because once the dormant silverback is overthrown from the group, he is banished and dies in isolation or seeks refuge from other gorilla groups.
Trekking The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family
The Nyakagezi gorilla group was known for their migrant behaviour across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. However, this gorilla group has today settled in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda where tourists are assured of gorilla trekking experiences. This gorilla group is considered the easiest to track in Uganda because they are found in areas of low altitude and prefer a small home range for relaxing, nesting, and feeding because of abundance of food.
A total number of eight gorilla permits are available for trekking this gorilla family each day and one is advised to book in advance. Travellers to this particular park are very few thus the congestion is reduced to give room for a great experience. The family often stay in an open area with less vegetation which makes photography easy. Trekking nyakagezi gorilla group usually starts at 8am with briefing at Ntebeko offices and takes about 2- 7 hours.
Other Tourist Activities in Mgahinga National Park
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga offers an extraordinary opportunity for you to meet golden monkeys, the most charming primates in the wild. Golden monkeys are a rare species that are endangered at the moment and they are found in Mgahinga national park in Uganda and in Virunga national park in Rwanda. They are easily recognized due to the yellow patches that can be seen all over their bodies. Golden monkey treks involve exploring a habituated troop of these unique apes along the Mgahinga’s Sabyinyo slopes. A total of 2-4 hours can be enjoyed in search of golden monkey troops, but covers the one hour for an up close and personal encounter experience and photography
Guided Golden Monkey Habituation.
Golden monkey habituation gives you satisfactory time to embark on an adventure to see the semi-habituated troops of golden monkeys. Golden monkey habituation is mainly intended to help the golden monkeys get familiar with the presence of guests in the jungle. It is a step-by-step process in which trackers and conservationists familiarize the troop with human presence. The golden monkey habituation permits are open for booking at USD 100 per visitor.
Birding in Mgahinga allows you to identify interesting bird species, including rare/endemic, Albertine rift species, and more. The prominent birds to expect identifying in Mgahinga include scarlet-tufted, Rwenzori batis, strange weaver birds, Mountain masked apalis, Shelley crimson wing, Kivu ground thrush, and many dusky turtle doves.
Bakiga and Batwa Cultural experience in Mgahinga
The Batwa and Bakiga cultural experience offer a great deal for you to learn about the unique traditions, cultures, and practices of bakiga and batwa. The Bakiga and Batwa communities reside adjacent to Mgahinga, and during the cultural tour, you can be safely led by a local guide.
What Is the Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Mgahinga National Park ?
Gorilla trekking in all gorilla national parks requires you to have a valid gorilla permit to allow you engage in gorilla trekking. Mgahinga gorilla permit costs USD 800 per guest for foreign non-residents, foreign residents book permits at USD 700, Rest of Africa book permits at USD 500 and East African citizens at UGX 300,000. Gorilla permits can be booked either directly through Uganda wildlife Authority or by a trusted tour operator preferably in Uganda. We advice travellers to book gorilla permits in advance at least 3- 6 months before their date of arrival to avoid disappointments
When is the best time to visit Mgahinga National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an all-year-round Park, but is best visited during the peak dry seasons, which occur twice a year. The first and longest dry season extends from June to September, and the shortest phase begins from December to February. The peak dry months offer ideal conditions for gorilla trekking, volcano hiking, and golden monkey tracking. There is also an option of traveling during the wet or rainy season, that is, from March to May, or have your tour around the short rainy season from October to November.
Where to Stay at Mgahinga national park?
There is a range of perfect lodging facilities near Mgahinga national park which includes Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Ntebeko River Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Ikaze Cottages, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Travelers Rest Hotel, and Kisoro Tourist Hotel.
How To Get to Mgahinga National Park?
Mgahinga gorilla national park is very accessible and one can choose to travel by road or by air to Kisoro airstrip. For travellers coming from Rwanda, it is easily accessible since the park is near Cyanika the Uganda -Rwandan border. It takes about 9-10 hours, mainly by driving, through the Masaka – Mbarara to Kisoro.
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