Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Discover Uganda’s premier primate safari site, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with Silverback Gorilla Tours by Maranatha. This small park is located in Kisoro, southwestern Uganda, close to the borders of Rwanda and Congo. It is well-known for its mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and three impressive conical volcanoes. Mgahinga, which is a part of the expansive Virunga Conservation Area, provides distinctive safari activities, such as nature walks, gorilla trekking, and animal viewing. In-depth travel details, sights, safari activities, gorilla permit prices, lodging, and advice for first-time or returning visitors are all available. Mgahinga is a must-see location for anybody traveling through Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, because of its wildlife and natural beauty. 

General information about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park –facts

The endangered mountain gorillas are protected in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which was created in 1991. It connects tourists to Lake Mutanda, Lake Bunyonyi, Echuya Forest, and the three Virunga volcanoes. It is located in the Virunga area and covers 33.7 sq km. With elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 meters, the park offers a variety of landscapes, including wetlands, crater lakes, streams, and thick woods. The park’s natural beauty is enhanced by scenic rivers like Kabiranyuma, Nyabirerema, and Ntebeko that flow down its slopes. Mgahinga is a favorite site for gorilla trekking, bird viewing, and enjoying the breathtaking volcanic scenery because of its distinctive topography and abundant wildlife. 

What are the main attractions of Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga National Park’s Principal Attractions

Discover the park’s diverse wildlife, abundant birdlife, and the scenic Virunga Volcanoes on your Uganda safari.  

The fauna of Mgahinga

Spotted hyenas, endangered golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, forest elephants, blue monkeys, bushbucks, buffaloes, leopards, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, golden cats, vervet monkeys, African porcupines, mountain gorillas, olive baboons, and black-and-white colobus monkeys are just a few of the animals that visitors can see. Snakes, geckos, and chameleons are examples of reptiles. 

Mgahinga’s birdlife

More than 115 bird species can be found in the park, such as regal sunbirds, striped-breasted tits, dusky crimsonwings, blue-headed coucals, red-faced woodland warblers, purple-breasted sunbirds, double-collared sunbirds, speckled mousebirds, African paradise flycatchers, yellow-billed kites, cape robin chats, handsome francolins, streaky seedeaters, white-necked ravens, Rwenzori batis, bronze sunbirds, olive woodpeckers, brown crowned tchagras, dusky crimsonwings, red-throated alethes, western tinker birds, Rwenzori apalis, moorland chats, Kivu ground thrushes, striped-breasted tits, regal sunbirds, and mountain masked apalis. 

Mount Muhabura: A Magnificent Volcano Trek

The Virunga range is home to the magnificent volcano Mt. Muhabura. Ascending from 1,700 to 4,100 meters over the course of a 5-hour hike, hikers may experience breath-taking vistas and the rush of conquering this majestic natural wonder. 

The Sabyinyo

Substitutes and synonyms: Rugged Summit, Three-Peak Mountain, and Sabyinyo Volcano
The 3,669-meter-tall Sabyinyo, which forms the boundary between Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda, has three separate summits. With rocky slopes that resemble an old man’s teeth, this extinct volcano—whose name means “teeth” in Kinyarwanda—is ideal for daring explorers. 

Mount Gahinga: A Calm, Beautiful Volcano

At 3,474 meters, Mount Gahinga is renowned for its rounded peak and mild slopes. The volcano’s name, which translates to “small pile of stones” in Kinyarwanda, captures its serene, picturesque aspect and makes it the perfect destination for nature treks and quiet hikes.  

Activities to do in Mgahinga

Trekking with Gorillas

Gorilla trekking is the main wildlife activity available to tourists in Mgahinga. The park offers a personal gorilla trekking experience that enables up-close interactions with mountain gorillas. Nyakagezi, the only completely habituated gorilla troop in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, may accept up to eight tourists each excursion in accordance with normal guidelines for gorilla trekking. Mgahinga is the perfect location for your gorilla safari if you’re looking for a less crowded gorilla trekking experience. 

In Mgahinga National Park, gorilla trekking takes visitors far into the jungle to see a family of mountain gorillas under the guidance of an experienced park ranger. Although there is just about an hour of opportunity for up-close contact with the gorillas, the walk may take two to six hours. 

A valid gorilla permit, which costs USD 800 per person, is required for tourists to follow gorillas in Mgahinga. Like other gorilla sites, this unique trekking excursion is only open to people who are at least 15 years old. 

Treks with Golden Monkeys

Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys may be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is frequently referred to as “where gold meets silver” in Uganda. This makes it an ideal location for gorilla encounters and golden monkey tours. Golden monkey trekking is a unique experience that allows tourists to see how the monkeys behave and take amazing pictures. A golden monkey hike typically lasts two to four hours, including around an hour spent exploring the park’s verdant bamboo woods with a colony of golden monkeys. 

Habituation of Golden Monkeys

Additionally, visitors may accompany semi-habituated armies of these colorful monkeys for extended periods of time by participating in golden monkey habituation. This encounter is very useful for scientists or researchers who want to closely examine the behavior of the monkeys. This experience requires a valid golden monkey permit, which costs $100 per person. 

Trekking Adventure on Volcanoes

Visitors may start an exciting volcanic hiking adventure at Mgahinga. You will traverse the three magnificent Virunga Volcanoes on this trip: Sabyinyo, Muhabura, and Gahinga Volcano (3474m). Every volcano has unique and noteworthy characteristics at the top that provide amazing vistas and life-changing chances for exploration. 

An Expedition for Birdwatching with a Ugandan Guide

The wide range of avian species in Mgahinga may be discovered by visitors on a birding excursion. Bronze sunbirds, blue-headed sunbirds, black kites, montane double-collared sunbirds, red-faced woods, streaky seed-eaters, alpine chat, gorgeous francolins, dusky turtle doves, cape robin chats, and many more intriguing species may be seen with the help of a knowledgeable Ugandan bird guide.  

Batwa trail experience

In Mgahinga, any safari activity may be combined with a cultural experience. Visitors get a rare opportunity to learn about the customs and legacy of the Batwa pygmies through the Batwa Trail Experience. A local Twa specialist who has comprehensive understanding about Batwa lifestyles, customs, rituals, and ways of life leads guests on the journey. 

The Ideal Time to Go

Although Mgahinga National Park is open all year round, the dry season offers better weather. A brief dry time lasts from December to February, while the major dry period lasts from June to September. Golden monkey tracking, gorilla trekking, and volcano treks are all best done during these months. Mgahinga is a year-round safari attraction since it is accessible to tourists even during the wet season and frequently provides affordable chances. 

Best Places to Stay

Near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, lodging options range from affordable to opulent hotels and campgrounds. Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, Ikaze Cottages, Gahiza Island Retreat, Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Ntebeko River Camp, and Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp are noteworthy choices. For all kinds of travelers, these offer cozy overnight accommodations. 

How to Get to Mgahinga

By Road: Entebbe, Kampala, or Kigali City are the starting points for travelers. For the trip, a 4×4 vehicle is advised. With border crossings at Chanika or Katuna, the travel to the park takes around 9–10 hours from Kampala and 4–5 hours from Kigali. By Air: You may take domestic flights for easy transfers, and a local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.