Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Mgahinga National Park) visitor guide covers general information, attractions, safari activities, lodges, best time, and how to reach the park. Located in Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda, is a lush Mgahinga National Park, one of the best places to visit for you to experience both gorilla and golden monkey trekking. Mgahinga was declared a National Park in 1991, and today, it lies in an area of 33.7 sq. km.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park stretches in the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) and also comprises 3 Virunga peaks, making it one of the scenic parks in Uganda. The scenic Virunga Volcano cones include Sabyinyo, Gahinga Volcano, and Mt. Muhabura. Mgahinga National Park is situated at an altitude of 2000-4000m. The park also comprises the stunning Lakes, Swamps, and Crater Lakes. In the surroundings, the park features spectacular Lake Mutanda, Echuya, and Bwindi.
What to see in Mgahinga –explore the park’s iconic attractions.
Mgahinga covers a compact portion but prides itself of diverse attractions including interesting wildlife, birds, and more. About 39 species of mammals reside in Mgahinga National Park, including spotted hyenas, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, patas monkeys, leopards, red-tailed monkeys, golden cats, and African porcupines. Mgahinga National Park is also inhabited by geckos, vervet monkeys, chameleons, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, forest elephants, and bush babies.
Mgahinga’s Bird Species
Mgahinga National Park is listed among the important bird areas in Uganda, home to about 180 bird species. The park’s abundant birds comprise Albertine Rift endemic species. The possible bird sightings on Mgahinga safari include yellow-billed kits, double-collared sunbirds, olive woodpeckers, bronze sunbirds, western tinker birds, streaky seed-eaters, African paradise flycatchers, grey-crowned hornbill, white-necked raven, and moorland chats.
Mgahinga also supports birds such as scarlet tufted malachite, montane double collared sunbirds, crowned cranes, cape robin chats, brown crowned tchagra, black kite, red faced woodland, blue-headed coucals, Kivu ground thrush, and mountain masked apalis, etc.
Explore the 3 Virunga Volcano cones.
Mgahinga National Park lies in the Virunga region, an area that shares some of the Virunga Mountain ranges with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. They include Sabyinyo Volcano Mountain 3669m, Gahinga 3474m, and Muhabura Volcanoes. All three Virunga Mountains that are present in Mgahinga National Park are open for trekking/hiking.
The vegetation zones vary depending on the altitude. The afro-montane forest lies at 2500m, bamboo 2500-3500m. and at over 3500 features, mainly the Afro-alpine moorland.
Things to do –Activities in Mgahinga
The main safari experiences to enjoy in Mgahinga National Park include mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey habituation, golden monkey tracking, birding, volcano climbing, nature walks, and the Batwa trail.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is a unique adventure that introduces you to the African jungle to visit mountain gorillas. Mgahinga is one of Uganda’s leading destinations that offers captivating mountain gorilla trekking. While in Mgahinga, expect to search for the Nyakagezi group, and your trek begins from Ntebeko reception after the orientation.
Treks with Mgahinga can go for 2-6 hours, and this also covers one hour of you observing how gorillas behave and taking photographs. After taking pictures, expect to get back to Ntebeko, and you can have a certificate that signifies your successful trek with Mgahinga mountain gorillas. A valid gorilla permit for Mgahinga is open for booking at US Dollars 800 per person, and the permits are valid for only single treks. The cost for Mgahinga gorilla trekking covers the park entrance fees, photography with gorillas, and observing their behaviors.
Golden monkey trekking
Mgahinga National Park also presents a rare opportunity for you to immerse yourself into the African jungle to explore golden monkeys. The park is blessed with already habituated golden monkey troops that reside along the slopes of the Virungas and a lush bamboo forest. A guided trek with Mgahinga’s golden monkeys takes about 2-5 hours, inclusive of one hour for watching these primates in their habitats.
Golden monkey habituation
Get a chance to interact with golden monkeys for a long time by embarking on a guided golden monkey habituation. Habituation permits are open for booking at USD 100 per person. With a permit at hand, expect to visit the semi-habituated golden monkey troop in the lush Mgahinga Forest. The permits for golden monkey habituation cost US Dollars 100 per guest.
Virunga Mountain hiking
Visitors can opt for a guided hiking experience in Mgahinga. Volcano climbing opportunities in Mgahinga National Park focus on conquering the high elevations of Mount Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo.
Birding
Mgahinga shelters a great profusion of birdlife that makes it a captivating destination. A guided bird watching tour in Mgahinga National Park allows you to explore a variety of birds that have been recorded in this park. They include cape robin chat, bronze sunbirds, Kivu ground thrush, and montane double collared sunbirds, etc.
The Batwa trail expedition
Get the opportunity to visit and interact with the Batwa pygmies on a tour in Mgahinga National Park. The Batwa cultural trail offers you a great deal to walk on a journey, learn more about the Batwa pygmies plus their distinct traditions and cultures. The Batwa pygmies are the original inhabitants of the Mgahinga and Bwindi Forests. They left the forest after the protected areas were declared National Parks in 1991.
When to visit the scenic Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers all year-round adventures due to its suitable weather conditions. But the peak dry season is the best time to enjoy most of the safari experiences, including gorilla trekking. The peak dry months on the Mgahinga calendar occur from June to September and December to February. They offer excellent conditions for tourists to enjoy Mgahinga’s gorilla trekking, Volcano hiking, and golden monkey tracking, etc.
The best places to book for an overnight
Different accommodation choices to consider booking for overnight stay in and around Mgahinga National Park, Kisoro, and the surrounding areas include;
Ntebeko River Camp, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Gorilla Heights Lodge, and Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp. Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
How to reach Mgahinga National Park
Drive off from Entebbe or Kampala for Mgahinga using a 4×4 safari car, and your journey can take about 9-10 hours. You can reach Mgahinga National Park on the Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route. On road transportation option, you can also cross from Kigali via Chanika or Katuna border crossing. Or you can connect to Kisoro Airport using the AeroLink domestic flights. You can meet the driver guide at the Kisoro Airport for transfer to Mgahinga National Park in Kisoro.