Mgahinga National park is located in the extreme South – Western corner of Uganda and covers an area of 33.9km that straddles political boundaries to include Parc de Volcanoes in Rwanda and Parc de Virungas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Three extinct Volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga range, lie within the boundaries of the Ugandan portion of this biologically rich area. The park takes its name from “Gahinga” the local word for piles of the volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes. Despite being the smallest national park, Mgahinga is breathtakingly beautiful just behind the dramatic volcanic skyline in front of Bwindi impenetrable forest.
Mgahinga boasts of different wildlife species including the endangered mountain gorillas that form the main attraction at Mgahinga National Park, variety of bird species, mammals and the three Virunga volcanoes of mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and mount Sabinyo which form an imposing string of nine free standing extinct and active volcanoes that runs along the border with Rwanda and the Congo.
The montane-woodland, montane-forest and large swathe of bamboo forests supports a large population of golden monkeys found in Uganda.
When to visit Mgahinga national park
Mountain gorillas can be tracked at any time of the Year, full tracking experiences are achieved when tourists visit during the dry season (June to September and December to February) tracking during these months is less hectic as there is easy movement within the forest trails. However because the tracking conditions during the wet season (March till May and October till November) are not favorable when the tracking trails are muddy.
Top activities / attractions to do t Mgahinga national park
Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park.
Mountain gorilla trekking is an amazing life time experience that refers to visiting the rare mountain gorillas in their natural environment as you watch them go about their daily lives. Mountain gorilla trekking is the main activity to do in Mgahinga gorilla National park and undoubtedly the main reason tourists Visit the park.
There is one habituated gorilla family which you can track, the Nyakagezi gorilla group which frequently roams in the forest of Rwanda and Congo making them easy to track. This activity starts in the morning. Only eight visitors are allowed to visit per day for only one hour of viewing and taking pictures once you find the gorillas. During this exciting adventure, you are able to sit with the gorilla family and watch them go about with their daily activities.
You are required to have a valid gorilla permit secured from Uganda wildlife Authority for your desired date of trek at USD700 for foreign non-residents, USD600 for foreign residents and Uganda shillings 250,000 for East African citizens.
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National park
Golden monkey tracking is another amazing activity in Mgahinga national park. It’s estimated that Mgahinga has between 300 – 400 golden monkeys grouped in troupes of 30s led by a principal adult male Other than mount gorilla trekking in the park. Golden monkey Tracking requires you to walk along various trails in the park searching for them and when you meet them you will be impressed since you will spot them jumping from one branch to another.
The golden monkey tracking Permit in Mgahinga costs USD60 per person and these can be obtained on ground at Ntebeko visitor centre. The tracking begins in the morning at 8:00am.
Golden monkey Habituation Experience in Mgahinga national park.
Golden monkey Habituation experience is yet another amazing activity to do in Mgahinga National park. Here tourists get a chance to accompany the researchers in the morning or afternoon to track the golden monkeys and stay with them for four hours. You will have a unique chance to get close to these little primates and study their behaviour in their natural habitat. A unique experience that will enhance your primate safari in Uganda. Golden Monkey Habituation Experience is USD I00 per Person.
Bird watching in Mgahinga National park.
Mgahinga national park is home to over 200 species of birds making it one of the best destinations for birders and some of the birds seen include; Ibis, White necked raven, waxbills, speckled mouth bird, Rwenzori turaco, dusky crimson, grey capped warbler, fire finch, fly catchers among others. The best months for bird watching in Mgahinga is during the months of April to May and October to November when birds are breeding and the forest has plenty of food that attract migratory birds. The area experiences two wet rainy seasons: February to May; and September to December. The average monthly rainfall varies from 250 mm (9.8 in) in October to 10 mm (0.39 in) in July.
Hiking in Mgahinga National park.
Mgahinga national park is also known for hiking especially for hard adventure lovers. One can hike Gahinga and Muhabura but hiking Sabinyo will give you an opportunity to be in 3 countries (Uganda, democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda) at the same time without needing a visa. Hiking Sabinyo takes you through the lush vegetation in the gorge of Sabinyo. It’s moist with a dense vegetation. A small river at the bottom of the gorge is responsible for creating this paradise overtime. Giving a very good view of all the peaks.
Nature walks in Mgahinga National park.
Nature walks in Mgahinga national park give one an opportunity to learn about different plant species in this park and how some are useful to the local people in the curing different diseases. With the help of a local guide or on your own through the gardens and villages of the Bufumbira and Bakugambye tribes. On your way you will learn a lot about how the people live and work. Often there is a possibility to eat at a local place or sometimes with a family.
Batwa cultural experience in Mgahinga national park.
Batwa cultural experience is yet another amazing experience in Mgahinga national park. Batwa are a group of indigenous belonging to the Ituri forest of Congo. The Batwa are known to be the shortest clan of people who were forest dwellers within Mgahinga where they stayed alongside gorillas and used to survive through hunting animals and gathering fruits. While on this encounter the Batwa will demonstrate their hunting styles, dance and way of life.
Garama caves in Mgahinga National park.
There are numerous caves but the most significant of all is Garama caves located 4 kilometres from Ntebeko visitor centre. The 200meter long caves are sacred places for the Batwa who were evicted from their ancestral forest in 1991.
Canoeing Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe.
These are lava-dammed small fresh water lakes nestled in the Foothills of the Virunga Mounting Ranges and do not attract any fishing activity because of their depth.
Lake Mutanda is one of the most popular destinations for canoe trekking in the country. More cultural activities await you at the islands. Some Nature walks take you over the hills of Lake Mutanda on a dugout canoe to the python island and see birds near the swamp.
Where to Stay
While at Mgahinga national park, travelers can stay at mount Gahinga safari lodge, mountain gorilla lodge, mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Kisoro tourist hotel, Amajambere Iwacu camp, Kisoro travelers rest hotel, mount Muhabura climbers nest, mount Gahinga rest camp, Virunga hotel, sky blue hotel, land mark guest house, Mutanda island lodge, Bwindi jungle lodge and many more.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga National Park can be reached by road or air:
By road, you will take the Kampala, Kabale, Kisoro Road and you will spend about 8 to 10 hours’ drive.
By air transport means: The Park is connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi air strip to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip. From here, connect to your lodge / hotel or to the park by road, this is less than an hour drive.
Access from Kigali – Rwanda
Instead of driving for 10 hours from Kampala, some visitors fly into Kigali International Airport and cross to Mgahinga National park by road through Cyanika border taking about 3 to 4 hours drive to reach Mgahinga gorilla national park.
