Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a national park in southwestern Uganda. It was gazetted in 1991 and and this was to offer refuge to a section of today’s endangered mountain gorillas. It is located in Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda, and features as the smallest park with an area coverage of 33.7 sq. km. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies in the extensive Virunga Conservation Area, and adjacent to it is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and the Congo’s Virunga National Park. Mgahinga is spectacularly set in the Virunga Mountain region, hosting 3 conical Virunga volcanoes. It is a special destination with a diverse ecosystem for nature enthusiasts to explore on a Uganda safari.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is strategically located, with the possibility for you to explore other nearby amazing tourist destinations like Lake Bunyonyi, Echuya Forest, and Lake Mutanda. Mgahinga is lying at an elevation range of 2,227 to 4,127, and the landscape is generally characterized by scenic afro-alpine moorland, Albertine rift montane forests, small valleys, volcanic slopes, and Garama Cave. The varying landscapes come with diverse habitats where the Park’s abundant animals reside, and the Park generally boasts of its breathtaking misty mountainous terrains.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the Virunga Mountains and encompasses three inactive volcanoes, namely Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo.
It is contiguous with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the southern sector of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The park is about 15 kilometres by road south of the town of Kisoro and approximately 55 kilometres by road west of Kabale, the largest city in the sub-region.
The national park experiences two wet rainy seasons: February to May; and September to December. The average monthly rainfall varies from 250 mm in October to 10 mm in July.
The national park encompasses bamboo forest, Albertine Rift montane forests, Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands with tree heath, and an alpine zone at higher altitudes.
Along the Mgahinga slopes, there exist stunning rivers including Ntebeko, Nyabirerema, and Kabiranyuma. Let us explore Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, including its diverse wildlife, birdlife, and safari activities etc.
Mgahinga’s Wildlife
Mgahinga is blessed with abundant wildlife, and interestingly, it is the only destination in Uganda where gold meets silver. The Park boasts of 39 mammal species, including both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. The lush forests and other habitats shelter wildlife such as the cape buffalo, forest elephants, patas monkeys, bush babies, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, leopards, golden cats, African porcupines, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons. Mgahinga also protects many geckos, snakes, chameleons, and black and white colobus monkeys.
The birds present
An estimate of 115 bird species reside in the Mgahinga National Park, making it one of the very Important Bird Areas in Uganda. Birds of interest in Mgahinga include the double-collared sunbirds, Archer’s robin chat, streaky seed-eaters, Mountain masked apalis, Shelley’s crimson wings, Rwenzori apalis, olive woodpeckers, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Kivu ground thrush, red-throated alethe, malachite sunbird, purple-breasted sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, speckled mousebirds, yellow-billed kite, and African paradise flycatchers.
Mgahinga also protects birds such as the blue-headed coucals, olive woodpeckers, grey-crowned hornbills, scarlet-tufted malachite, Kivu ground thrush, striped-breasted tit, Brown crowned tchagra, Dusky crimson wing, strange weaver birds, and Grauer’s swamp warblers.
Activities to do in Mgahinga National Park
At Mgahinga, expect to indulge in diverse experiences. The popular safari activities to engage in include hiking adventures, gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, birding, golden monkey habituation, and Batwa cultural experience.
Hiking
Mgahinga National Park is an incredible spot to consider for hiking safari adventures. All three Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga are open for hiking, including Mt. Muhabura, which is set at an elevation range of 4127m, and getting to its summit requires approximately 5 hours. Mount Sabyinyo, lying at an altitude of 3669m, has three conical peaks. Mt Sabyinyo is suitably located at the point that joins Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. Sabyinyo Volcano is an extinct mountain and is one of the most rugged Virunga Mountains. Explore Mt. Gahinga, a spectacular Virunga Volcano where Mgahinga takes its name.
Gorilla trekking
Embark on an adventure to encounter Mgahinga gorillas without crowds. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is an iconic experience, offering you a unique opportunity to explore mountain gorillas. At Mgahinga, the Nyakagezi gorilla group is the only group you should expect to visit.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga extends for 2-6 hours, and visitors begin their treks at the Ntebeko area with a briefing. When you come across the Mgahinga gorillas, the park ranger guide allows you to stay with these large apes for a maximum of 1 hour. You should have a valid gorilla permit to allow you to engage in the Mgahinga gorilla trek. Mgahinga gorilla permit costs USD 800 per guest under the category of foreign non-residents. The foreign residents book Mgahinga permits at USD 700, and East African citizens at UGX 300,000.
Golden monkey trekking adventures
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga offers a remarkable chance for you to meet golden monkeys, the most charming primates in the wild. 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 Mgahinga golden monkey habituation.
Golden monkey habituation offers you adequate time to embark on an adventure to see the semi-habituated troops of golden monkeys. Golden monkey habituation is primarily 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 or conservationists familiarize the troop with human presence. The golden monkey habituation permits are open for reservation at USD 100 per visitor.
Birding (Bird-Watching)
Birding in Mgahinga allows you to identify interesting bird species, including rare/endemic, Albertine rift species, and more. The notable 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.
Cultural safari tours (Bakiga & Batwa)
The Batwa and Bakiga cultural experience offers a great deal for you to learn about the unique traditions, cultures, and practices of Ugandans. 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 ideal time to visit Mgahinga
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 (Camps/Lodges) at Mgahinga
List of lodging choices to consider for overnight stay in and around Mgahinga National Park includes Mutanda Lake Resort, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Ntebeko River Camp, Ikaze Cottages, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Travelers Rest Hotel, and Kisoro Tourist Hotel.
How to get to Mgahinga
Getting to Mgahinga by road and air is possible under the arrangements of local experts –Bujuku Eco Tours and Travel. Take about 9-10 hours, mainly driving, and expect to navigate via the Mbarara-Kisoro route. Other available options include departing from Kigali and driving to Uganda via the Chanika border crossing.
When you opt for air transportation, you can depart a bit early from Entebbe Airport and one and a half hours to get to Kisoro Airstrip. From Kisoro Airstrip, you can safely be transferred to Mgahinga or a hotel in Kisoro,
Conclusively, Mgahinga National Park offers both golden monkey treks and gorilla trekking. A visit to Mgahinga is a great way to unearth the unique wonders in Uganda. Start your planning stages and book a vacation with Bujuku Eco Tours and Travel.