Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Sitting high in the clouds at an elevation range of 2227m-4127m, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is, without doubt, one of the best Uganda safari parks most visited for mountain gorillas trekking. It is the smallest of all National Parks in Uganda, occupying a land area that measures only 33.7sq.km. The Park derives its name from “Gahinga”, a local word denoting to the piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foothills of Virunga Volcanoes.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was primarily founded to host the endangered mountain gorillas which range within its lush forests and together with a significant population of strikingly stunning golden monkeys. This is what makes it a unique place where gold meets silver. Mgahinga straddles within the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) and protects 3 of the 8 Virunga volcanoes; -Gahinga 3474m, Mt. Muhabura 4127m and Sabyinyo 3645m.

Location

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) is geographically lying in Kisoro District, the extreme Southwestern Uganda and bordered by Rwanda to the South & D.R. Congo to the West. Mgahinga is under the full management of Uganda Wildlife Authority and it was gazetted as a Game Sanctuary in 193 during the British administration. Its status later upgraded into a National Park in 1991 sheltering a section of 1063 mountain gorillas-the only remaining population that the world boasts of.

Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Vegetation cover

Over 6 unique vegetation zones all exist within Mgahinga National Park making an exceptional Uganda safari park. The 6 distinct vegetation zones make up part of the park’s diverse attractions and they range in the different altitudes including the Montane woodland, Afro-montane, Heathers, Montane Forest, Bamboo and former farmland/cultivated area. In each of these distinct vegetation zones, there reside a range of wildlife species that make Mgahinga Gorilla National Park an incredible Uganda safari destination.

Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects a range of significant mammal species including endangered mountain gorillas that share the same habitat with other wildlife species such as golden monkeys, buffaloes, bush bucks, forest elephants, golden cats, patas monkeys, blue monkeys, black fronted duikers, spotted hyenas, leopards, giant forest hogs, colobus monkeys.

Bird species

Mgahinga is without doubt a bird watcher’s haven! The Park has bird species record of 180 which makes it one of the best bird watching safari destinations in Uganda and East Africa. As an Important Birding Area, birders on Uganda safari should expect great sightings of interesting birdlife such as Kivu ground thrush, Malachite, Fire finch stone chat, Red necked spur fowl, Rwenzori turaco,Olive pigeon, Striped breasted tit, Doherty’s bush shrike, Greater double collared sunbird, Cape robin, White starred robin, Cinnamon bracken warbler, Rwenzori batis.

Other special avifaunal species to look out for on Mgahinga birding tour include the Paradise flycatcher, Scarlet tufted sunbird, Brown woodland warblers, Rufous chested swallow, Alpine chat, Black headed waxbill, Blue headed sunbird.

Tour Activities in Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking Mgahinga NP is without doubt a special safari highlight in this park. Mgahinga is exceptional of all the 5 mountain gorilla destinations, offering magical gorilla treks free of crowds. There is only one habituated gorilla group fully open for tracking in Mgahinga and takes only 8 visitors per day that is Nyakagezi group. Like Volcanoes NP, Virunga NP and Bwindi, tracking mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park is only for persons above 15 years and a valid gorilla permit is a must-have requirement.

Mgahinga Gorilla permits-Uganda

All visitors on plan to visit Mgahinga Gorilla NP for gorilla trekking can book for a gorilla permit in Uganda in order to track Nyakagezi at USD700 for foreign residents. The foreign nonresidents at USD600 and East African citizens UGX250,000, all these are obtainable via a ground tour operator, and don’t look any further than Maranatha Tours and Travel.

Gorilla Trekking Rules to observe at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

  • A maximum of 8pax are allowed to track one gorilla family (Nyakagezi group).
  • Keep a distance of 10m off from Nyakagezi gorilla family.
  • A valid gorilla permit is a must if you to be permitted to go track Nyakagezi gorilla family group.
  • Don’t go track gorillas in the park while sick or ill.
  • While tracking mountain gorillas (Nyakagezi family), always cover your mouth when coughing/nose while sneezing.
  • Maintain a low tone while in the natural environment/habitat tracking mountain gorillas.
  • Once you have located Nyakagezi group, the park officer lets you have 1 hour observing gorillas, take photos, learn about their behaviors.
  • You can only be allowed to go visit Nyakagezi mountain gorilla group if you are above 15 years.
  • Burry all human wastes as guided by your park guide while in Mgahinga NP.

What to pack for the Mgahinga gorilla trek tour Uganda

A lot is required when planning a gorilla tour but when packing, consider only essential items or gear. The important items not to miss from your packing list include a non-flashlight camera, long sleeved shirts, gardening gloves, daypack, rain gear/poncho, insect repellent, medical kit, plenty of snacks-preferably the energy boosters, bottled water, passport, sweater, hat, sunscreen, pair of socks- get cotton made, waterproof & sturdy hiking boots etc.

Golden Monkey Tracking

The Virunga Area is noted to shelter about 3000-4000 golden monkeys, with a huge portion of them already undergone through habituation in Mgahinga National Park. Golden monkey trekking is without doubt an exciting on-foot-walk primate experience Mgahinga has to offer the world. Over 40-65 golden monkeys have been habituated in this Uganda National Park ready for tracking which often begins after briefing at the park’s Ntebeko gate.

Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park-Uganda, is amazingly one of the outstanding birding sites. The park has distinct trails worth exploring while on birding tour including Bamboo and Gorge trails. Each of these birding trails expose you to Mgahinga National Park’s diverse birds including Cape robin chat, Black headed waxbill, Blue headed sunbird, Bronze, Red faced woodland, Banded prinia, Kivu ground thrush, Red necked spur fowl, Rwenzori turaco, Striped breasted tit, Cinnamon bracken warbler, Rwenzori batis, White starred robin, Greater double collared sunbird, Archer’s robin chat. You also stand a great sight of Chubb’s cisticola, Doherty’s bush shrike, Black headed waxbill, Paradise flycatcher, Rufous chested swallow, Alpine chat, Red throated alethe.

Nature walk

Nothing gets you exposed to Mgahinga N/Park’s hidden secrets than a Guided nature walk. There are amazing trails, each introduce nature lovers to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s attractions in different habitats including the unique vegetation zones, birds, and other wildlife. Enjoy great view of Lake Mutanda, Rugezi swamp especially while hiking via Gisozi Hill.

Volcano hiking

Mgahinga is a home to 3 scenic conical volcanoes of Virunga Massifs, making it one of one of the best places for hiking. It is possible to trek to the peaks of these 3 volcanoes while on Uganda safari in Mgahinga National Park; Mt. Sabyinyo 8 hours round trek, Mt. Muhabura 8 hours and Gahinga 6 hours.

Batwa trail

Mgahinga gorilla safaris can also be blended with Batwa cultural experiences which offer you opportunity to visit the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa stayed 500,000 years in the forest while only hunting and gathering, they were displaced at the time of gazetting Mgahinga N/Park to protect mountain gorillas. Hitting the Batwa trail should be a must while on Mgahinga to explore, experience more about the Batwa pygmies’ unique traditions, cultures, enjoy stories told by elders, get entertained by the dances, music performance from the Batwa.

Garama cave visit

Sitting 4kms off Mgahinga’s Ntebeko gate, Garama caves are among the very few special sites you shouldn’t miss to visit on Uganda safari. The caves are 200m long and noted to have played a remarkable part as a sacred site for the Batwa.

When to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Kisoro is always open to all nature lover for exploration all year-round. But, the best months to visit the park-either gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking or volcano hiking are June, July, August, September & December, January, February-these are the best dry months of the year. The wet/rainy months (March-May/October-November) of the year are also open for Uganda safari holidaymakers to explore Mgahinga though they are characterized by heavy rains. They are the best months bird breeding months or if you want to sight lots of migratory birds.

Accommodation in Mgahinga National Park

Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s accommodations range from budget, mid-range to luxury. They include Up-market/luxury Mount Gahinga Lodge at the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, Traveler’s Rest Hotel & Mucha Hotel Kisoro mid-range; Kisoro Tourist Hotel & Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp 7kms off Lake Mutanda.

Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kisoro-Uganda

By road: Mgahinga is positioned 8 to 9 hours’ drive away from Kampala, pass via Masaka, Mbarara to Kisoro. From Kigali Capital, drive for 3 to 4 hours pass via Chanika border to Kisoro or Katuna border via Kabale.

By air: Air transportation is the 3rd alternative of getting to Mgahinga N/Park, Kisoro. Scheduled/charter flights can be reserved which set from Entebbe/Kajjansi Airstrips up to Kisoro or Kihihi.