Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a beautiful and unique small conservation area home to the mountain Gorillas. Located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district bordering Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda to the south and Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established in 1991 covering an area of 33.9 km² (13.1 sq. mi) ² primarily as a game reserve with the sole purpose to preserve and protect the endangered gorillas which were on the brick of extinction. the park is part of the Virunga Mountains and has three inactive volcanoes: Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is renowned for its population of the endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti). Gorilla trekking is a major attraction, allowing visitors to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Besides the primates, the park is home buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, leopards, spotted hyenas and much more. The park also offers opportunities for gorilla trekking, experiencing the culture of the Batwa people, and hiking the Virunga volcanoes.

Attractions and activities in Mgahinga gorilla National Park.

Gorillas trekking. Mountain Gorillas are the top attraction in the park and are grouped in a number of families all found with in the mountains of the park for example the Nyakagezi family which is comprised of 10 members.

For visitors planning to visit the park, its compulsory to obtain gorilla trekking permits only obtained from Uganda wildlife Authority at a cost of $800 for Foreign Nonresidents, $600 for Foreign residents and 250,000 ugx for East African residents. Its advised to book these permits at least 3 months prior to your safari to Uganda since they are competitive and can easily be sold out according to the season and how many visitors purchasing them.

On the day of the trek, the park only allows 8 visitors per trek lasting for 1 hour. The treks are led by park ranges and during this time, visitors are able to take pictures of the primates, learn and ask question concerning the gorillas.

Gorilla Habituation: for visitors that prefer rather a challenging but more interesting experience up close to the gorillas, habituation is the best choice while at the park. During this activities, untamed families are selected then park rangers and visitors get involved in the experience trying to tame them. The process takes almost 5 hours with the gorillas. It involves eating with the gorillas, mimicking what they do, basically being part of the family.

Visitors interested in the activity, permits go for $1500 obtained form the Uganda wildlife authority. Visitors are expected to follow clearly guidelines and instructions from the park ranges in order to enjoy the activity because it risky.

Golden Monkeys trekking; these are found in the bamboo forest with over 6 habituated families. Permits for the activity cost $60 for foreigners both residents and non-residents. As with the gorilla treks, chimpanzee treks are led by park rangers and only 6 visitors are allowed on each trek for a duration of 3 hours where visitors get to trek through the bamboo forest and visit all the chimp families.

Mountain trekking and climbing: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies within the Virunga mountains of Congo, three of these mountains are in Uganda and for visitors that are interested in mountain hiking and walks, that can be performed on these mountains;

Mountain Muhavura; this is the highest among the three mountains at a height of 4127 meters covering a distance of 12 km. it takes almost 8 hours to reach the top and while there, hikers able to view the Rwenzori peaks, Queen Elizabeth National park, Bwindi forest and lake Edward.

Mountain Sabinyo: its name means the old man’s teeth referenced on the formation of deep gorges and riverine that dissects through the mountain. At 3645 meters, Mt. Sabinyo is the hardest mountain to hike among the 3. Its trails are covered with shrubs and rocky grounds and it takes almost 8 hours to reach it top.

Mountain Gahinga: the smallest among the three with a height of 3474 meters covering an area of 8 kms. It’s easy to hike and while at the top, hikes find a swampy crater surrounded by stone and rocks.

Bird watching: Mgahinga national park is a great place for birding with over 184 bird species. Bird watching in the park is best done in the morning hours. Visitors are expected to meet up with birding guide in the wee hours and follow trails in the montane and bamboo forest between Mt Sabinyo and Mt Gahinga. During bird watching in Mgahinga national park, you will be able to view different bird species such as Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Handsome francolin, Kivu ground, Black-headed waxbill, Bronze Sunbird, Brown Crowned Tchagra, Cape robin chat, Western green tinker bird, Brown woodland warbler, Malachite sunbird, Striped breasted tit, White starred robin, Olive pigeon among others.

Nature walks / hiking: This is an interesting activity in Mgahinga national park where visitors walk on foot around the park with the park ranger. Nature walks in Mgahinga national park is done around the edges of the volcanic mountains through the bamboo forests, Rugezi swamp which is a great destination for beautiful views of the agricultural villages, lakes like lake Mutanda where you will be able to view bird species, vegetation type such as afro-montane, montane forest, bamboo montane, woodland, farmland, tree heathers among others. Nature walk in Mgahinga national park provides you with a cool environment for relaxation and refreshment of the mind.

Cultural encounters: besides the primates, the park is home to the Batwa people (pygmies). These live in co-existence with the wild of the park, the hunt small animals from the forest, gather fruits and medicine and live among the forest. Visitors will be able to visit, experience and spend time among the Batwa people. While on the Batwa trail, visitors will get a chance to see the Batwa hunt, sing, dance and listen to their folk story-telling. Visitors will as well tour the Garama cave. This is the ancestral home of the Batwa people, acts like a granary and storage for their food stuffs.

How to get to Mgahinga National Park?

The park can be accessed by two means;

Road transport. Uganda’s road infrastructure is in place straight to the park from Kampala city, through Masaka city, Mbarara city, Kabale and finally Kisoro the last town to the park in duration of over 10 hours on road.

Visitors can also pass via Rwanda from Kigali city connecting to Uganda through the Cyanika border, drive to Kisoro and then to the park. This route takes only 3 – 4 hours.

Air transport: the park can be accessed by air, flights to Kisoro can be booked at Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi Airstrip.

Perfect time to Visit Mgahinga National Park.

The park is open to tourists and visitors everyday throughout the year, so visitors can go to the park anytime. The dry(summer) season happens to be the perfect time to visit the park

In the months of December to February, June to August. During this time, there are no or few rains, the primates tend to move more in the dry as they are feeding. The walk ways are also dry which makes trekking easier than in the wet season when they are slippery. The rain also stops animals from moving since they want to keep warm and dry.

Accommodation facilities in Mgahinga Gorillas National park;

Through a number of efforts taken to promote tourism in the area, a number of accommodation facilities have been set up to cater for the huge number of visitors that hope to see the mountain gorillas and see the wonders of the park throughout the year. These offers 24-7 hours’ room service, all types of dishes served around the world, clean and secure.

From budget facilities to mid-budget to the top luxury lodges around the park, in towns of Kabale and the surrounding parks like Bwindi Impenetrable park, visitors can fail to acquire a lodge depending on their budget.

Conservation and sustainable Tourism.

The sole reason for the creation of the park was to protect the endangered Mountain Gorillas, golden monkeys and the overall eco-system in and around the park. Visitors choosing to visit the park support the efforts towards the sustainability, preservation and protection of the park. This ensures perseverance of the park eco system limiting on the climate effects with in the park.