In the extreme Southwestern Uganda lies the scenic Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, an outstanding destination that features the most stunning forested volcanoes. Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest park but remarkably, boasts of its abundant biodiversity species that make it an exceptional National Park.
If you have always wanted to observe both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, then Mgahinga is the right place to spend your next holiday. It being home to these great primates makes it truly a unique place where silver meets gold.
Location, size & formation
Mgahinga NP is located in Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda and forms part of the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA). This is a compact protected area with land area coverage of 33.7sq.km and it became a National Park in 1991. The park is bordered by two other Virunga protected areas including Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the West and to the south, there is Volcanoes National Park.
Mgahinga together with the rest of the Virunga protected areas protect the Greater Virunga Ecosystem. It boasts of its breathtaking landscapes, biodiversity and supports a significant population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
The park’s topography is dominated by the spectacular chain of 8 Virunga Volcanoes with 3 of which extend into Uganda’s Mgahinga NP. They include Sabinyo rising up to 3645m, Gahinga 3474m and Muhabura 4127m. These support myriad of life at their forested dominated areas including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and variety of endemic species of birds.
Regardless of the size, Mgahinga features varied habitat including steaming swamps, the lush bamboo forest the dense Albertine rift montane habitat and alpine zones plus moorland.
Faunal & floral species
Mgahinga National Park protects variety of forest and Albertine rift endemic species. It accounts for over 76 mammal species, diverse bird species, reptiles and colorful butterfly species. The park’s high concentration of wildlife include the rare mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, black-fronted duikers, leopards, elephants, bush pigs, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, black and white colobus monkeys.
Bird species –a check list of avifaunal species at Virunga National Park comprise of the grey-capped warblers, pin-tailed whydah, paradise fly-catchers, Rwenzori nightjars, yellow-vented bulbul, double-collared sunbird, black kite, Rwenzori turacos, stone chat, speckled mouse bird, black headed coucal, white napped raven and wax bills.
Things to do in Mgahinga Park
Mgahinga is a preferred destination in Uganda thanks to its diverse safari activities. A visit to this park guarantees everyone something to do on Uganda safari. Here are the key most amazing safari activities/things to do in Mgahinga Park;
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga like Bwindi takes the same process. At Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, visitors first gather at Ntebeko for briefing about gorilla trekking regulations. The actual search for the park’s gorilla group begins around 8:00am and lasts for 2-6 hours. On a trek to see Mgahinga gorillas, there will be an experienced guide who leads you throughout the adventure.
Note, on a single day, a maximum of 8 guests are assigned to track one habituated gorilla family. On locating a group of these apes, you have an hour to observe how they behave and taking pictures. As you interact with these apes, a social distance of 7-8 meters must be kept at all times.
Golden monkey tracking & habituation
Golden monkeys are unique species and they range within the scenic bamboo dominated areas of the Virunga region. Luckily, Mgahinga is one important home to these strikingly stunning primates. They come with bright orange-gold body, black limbs, cheeks and more. Naturally, they are playful creatures and when photographing them, some keenness must be taken because at times, they jump from one tree to the other. Aside from normal golden monkey treks, there is also a chance to engage in a guided golden monkey habituation experience.
Guided treks
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers an enriching guided walking experiences through its designated trails. The key trails worth exploring here include the 1100m hike from Mgahinga NP gate to Mt. Gahinga peak; the trek to Sabyinyo peak which includes 1300m hike about 8 hour round hiking trail. The Muhabura peak route 4127m and other trails.
Birding
Birding in Mgahinga is a great opportunity to look out for the park’s abundant bird species. This protected area supports variety of forest and Albertine rift endemic species of birds. They include the Archer’s robin-chat, speckled mouse bird, pin-tailed whydah, paradise flycatchers, black headed coucal, grey capped warblers, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, turtle dove, cinnamon bracken warblers, red faced woodlands, brown crowned tchagra, strange weaver birds, handsome francolins, Rwenzori turacos, olive thrush, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, and others.
Batwa trail experience
Embark on the Batwa pygmy trail experience, get to interact with the Batwa pygmies –the original inhabitants of Mgahinga and Bwindi forests. The walk through this trails is done with the lead of an experienced Twa guide. During the entire experience, you will be amazed by the unique cultures and traditions of the Batwa. The guide will demonstrate to you the ancient hunting and gathering techniques used by the Batwa then, fire making using stones.
Best time to get there
Mgahinga enjoys favorable weather and climatic conditions thus making it an all year-round destination. The best time of the year to get there for primate adventures or hiking experiences is during the dry season which occurs from June to September, December to February. These are also referred to as peak months of the year, a period when there is high demand for gorilla permits. The park also records low or off months (rainy season) from March to May and October to November.
Accommodation options
Visitor overnight stay on Uganda safari in Mgahinga is guaranteed in any of the comfortable lodges distributed in and around the park. They include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and more.
Getting there
Mgahinga N/Park is easier to reach by road or air. Taking road transportation, there is a long route which starts from Kampala via Mbarara-Kisoro, about 9-10 hours’ drive or take a short drive route from Kigali via Cyanika border to Kisoro, 4-5 hours’ drive. By air, this is best for visitors who don’t wish to spend long hours on the road. Take about 2 hours on a flight starting from Entebbe airport to Kisoro airstrip.
