Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the premier gorilla safari parks in Uganda. It is situated in the extreme Southwestern Uganda, about 8-10 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city. It borders the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. It is also part of the extensive Virunga Conservation Area and it derives its name from Gahinga volcano where the word Gahinga locally denotes piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmlands. This stunning gorilla trekking park sits between elevation range of 2227 to 4127m and features 6 unique vegetation types; the tree heathers, bamboo, montane woodland, Afromontane, former farmland and montane forest.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was founded in 1991 and today, it occupies an area of 33.7sq.kms which makes it the smallest safari park of the 10 national parks in Uganda. Its creation was purposely to protect mountain gorillas and in addition, it also features 3 of the 8 Virunga volcanoes that is Mount Sabyinyo (3674m), Mount Muhabura (4127m) and Gahinga Volcano (3474m) which makes it also an exceptional hiking tour destination.
Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the best safari parks in Uganda which is worth visiting to explore its untold wealth of wildlife species. It hosts a section of the endangered mountain gorillas, bush bucks, elephants, golden monkeys, forest buffaloes and a lot more.
Birds of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park hosts an estimate record of over 115 avifaunal species which makes it one of the most incredible bird watching spots in Uganda. A birding trip in this gorilla trekking safari park lets you identify variety of birds including among others the yellow vented bulbul, double collared sunbird, paradise flycatchers, white necked raven, Ruwenzori nightjars, Archer’s robin chat, white starred robins, stripped breasted tit, grey capped warblers, waxbills, Kivu ground thrush, olive woodpeckers, Ruwenzori batis, cinnamon bracken, malachites and scarlet tufted.
A side from wildlife and birds, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also features unique attractions such as Garama caves that cover the length of about 200m and they known sacred place of the Batwa pygmies. They are accessible about 4kms from Ntebeko park offices. This gorilla safari park also hosts magnificent Virunga volcanoes like Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo which can be explored on hiking adventures.
Safari activities to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla trekking is a prime safari activity offered to travelers on gorilla tours to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It involves trekking to view mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, learn more about their daily behaviors and for you to take their pictures. Like other 3 mountain gorilla parks, a gorilla trek in Mgahinga begins with briefing on the set guidelines to be followed while on a search for these endangered apes at Ntebeko park offices.
Visitors on Uganda gorilla safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have Nyakagezi gorilla group to trek since it is the only habituated gorilla group open for trekking in this protected area. However, it is also possible for you to track Hirwa group which moved from Volcanoes National Park to Mgahinga.
However, you require a valid gorilla permit to be in position to trek mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which you can purchase at $600 in case you fall under category of foreign non-residents, $500 foreign residents and shs.250000 for those under category of East African citizens. The current prices are applicable till 30th June, 2020 and the new rates will be effective beginning 1st July 2020 where you need $700 if you are a foreign non-resident, $600 for foreign resident and shs.250000 remains for the East African citizens. We make it easier for you to reserve your gorilla permit and also plan your gorilla trekking trip.
Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Golden monkeys are some of the rare wildlife species which you can track on Uganda safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Trekking to view these apes in their natural habitat is remarkably one of the most life changing experiences.
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
A bird watching trip in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with a camera and pair of binoculars is such a memorable experience. It allows you to identify birds such as yellow vented bulbul, paradise flycatchers, white necked raven, Ruwenzori nightjars, Archer’s robin chat, white starred robins, stripped breasted tit, grey capped warblers, waxbills, Kivu ground thrush, double collared sunbird, olive woodpeckers, Ruwenzori batis, cinnamon bracken and a lot more.
Guided nature walks in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
A nature walk is what lets you uncover the hidden treasures in and around the varied habitats of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on your Uganda safaris. This involves you visiting Rugezi swamp, the bamboo forest which presents opportunity for you to enjoy amazing view of beautiful Lake Mutanda, farmlands and sight several bird species.
Volcano hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Hiking adventures in Mgahinga National Park are best done in Sabyinyo volcano which stands at elevation of 3674. The word Sabyinyo locally means old man’s teeth and the other 2 volcanoes that you can explore include Gahinga (3474m) and Muhabura Volcano (4127m).
Cultural experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Cultural tours in Mgahinga National Park are best carried out while on the Batwa trail. The trail lets you interact with the Batwa pygmies for you to learn more on their hunting and gathering techniques, lifestyles then enjoy the rare dances and music performances.
Best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park features a favorable weather and climatic conditions which make it an all year-round Uganda safaris destination. However, the dry season is considered to be the best time to visit this safari park for gorilla tracking, golden monkey adventures and this occurs starting June, July, August, September and December, January, February. This doesn’t mean that there no safaris carried out during the wet or rainy season. Bird watching in particular is ideal during the wet months of the year that is March, April, May and October, November.
Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The key accommodation facilities to consider for a night stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include Travelers Nest Hotel, Mount Mgahinga Lodge, Mount Mgahinga Rest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge and others.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be reached either by road or by air. By road, your journey can commence from Entebbe or Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara to Kisoro route which covers between 8 and 10 hours of driving. The other route takes you from Kigali capital city through Katuna or Chanika border to Kabale/Kisoro then connect to Mgahinga and this covers between 3 and 4 hours of driving.
By air, there are flight services offered starting from Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro/Kihihi airstrip.