Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a whole package for primate lovers and if you expect to see mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in their natural habitat, this is the perfect place to be. This small verdant Protected Area lies along the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes sheltering two of the World’s most extraordinary and endangered primate species. Mgahinga National Park sits high in the clouds at an altitude of 2227 to 4127 meters above sea level.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Location and size
Hidden in the southwestern side of Uganda in Kisoro district is Mgahinga National Park lying within the Virunga Volcanoes, and bordering two countries (the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda). This National Park has been in existence since 1991 and the main reason for gazetting it was to shelter the mountain gorillas and the unique natural habitat.
One thing that amazes travelers about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the fact that it covers only 33.7 square kilometers yet it holds so much weight like the mighty safari destinations of Africa. This Protected Area derived its name from one of the Virunga Volcanoes (Gahinga) and is translated as “small lava stones” in the local dialect and these stones are common along the foothills of this Volcano. With its size, Mgahinga is the smallest National Park in Uganda.
What to see in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Wildlife
A total of 39 mammal species call Mgahinga National Park home and they include the endangered mountain gorillas (the main highlight of the National Park), golden monkeys, side-striped jackals, Olive baboons, golden cats, giant forest hogs, serval cats, blue monkeys, Patas monkeys, vervet monkeys, spotted hyenas, Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, bush babies, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, forest buffaloes, elephants, to mention but a few.
Birds
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has a list of over 180 bird species, some of which are endemic to the Albertine rift Valley. Southern red bishop, cinnamon bracken warblers, white-napped raven, Doherty’s bush shrike, White starred robin, African paradise flycatchers, brown-crowned tchagra, Shelley’s dusky crimson wing, banded prinia, Archer’s ground robin, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, Kivu ground-thrush, mountain masked Apalis, yellow-throated long claws, Dusky turtle dove, black kite, cape robin-chat, streaky seedeaters, regal sunbird, red necked spur fowl, paradise flycatchers, rufous chested swallow, blue-headed sunbird, fire finch, grey capped warblers, and the Alpine chat typify the extraordinary avifauna of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and birders can always look forward to sighting them.
Virunga Volcanoes
There are three of the eight Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and these include the 4127-meter high Muhabura Volcano, the 3669-meter high Mount Sabyinyo and the 3474-meter high Mount Gahinga which can be climbed during your visit to Uganda’s smallest National Park.
Interesting Adventures to enjoy in & around Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mountain Gorilla trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the four safari destinations where you can trek the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This Park has about 80 mountain gorillas and one gorilla family has been habituated for trekking. Only 8 gorilla permits are sold each day for Nyakagyezi Gorilla Family within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Before walking through the forest to search for these Giant Apes, first converge at Ntebeko Visitor Center at 7:00 am for registration and briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority Park Rangers. Gorilla treks take anywhere between 2 and 6 hours, including the one hour of observing and photographing these adorable creatures going about their daily routines. Before embarking on this life-changing adventure, first secure a gorilla permit at $700 per person for foreign non-residents, $600 per person for foreign residents and Shs. 250,000 for the East African Community residents.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey tracking trails start from Ntebeko Visitor Center and allow travelers to meet face to face with the beautiful endangered primates in their natural habitat. Get the chance to meet any of the two golden monkey troops that occupy the lower slopes of Virunga Volcanoes marked by bamboo forest.
Mountain climbing
The Three Volcanoes on the Ugandan side of the Virunga Conservation Area can only be climbed from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It takes only 6-7 hours to climb the 3474-meter high Mount Gahinga, 7-8 hours to climb the 3669-meter tall Mount Sabyinyo and 8 hours to take on the 4127-meter tall Mount Muhabura. Expect breathtaking views of the surroundings, other Virunga Volcanoes, wildlife and bird sights while climbing any of these Volcanoes.
Guided forest walks
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a phenomenal spot for guided forest walks where travelers can check out breathtaking spots with armed experienced guides who also share their rich knowledge of the forest as well as its flora and fauna. There are a number of forest walk trails in this Park and they include the 5-hour walk that leads to Gisozi hill while providing views of the verdant forest and mountain peaks. Alternatively, you can try out the Sabyinyo gorge trail that provides enthusiastic hikers with more challenging treks while encountering sights of birds.
Birding Tours
With over 180 bird species in its almost 34-square-kilometer landscape, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an Important Bird Area in Uganda. If you look forward to sighting Albertine Rift endemics such as strange weavers, Archer’s ground robin, Kivu ground-thrush, and others, then embark on a birding tour in Uganda’s smallest National Park.
The Batwa Cultural Trail
Mgahinga Gorilla National park is the best place to learn about the life and ancient lifestyle of Batwa pygmies, the first inhabitants of East and Central African rainforests before they were evicted in 1991 (when Mgahinga forest became a National Park). Before they were evicted, the Batwa lived peacefully with mountain gorillas and other animals, depended on plants for food and medicine. During this Cultural Experience, you will be entertained in cultural and musical performances, see how bamboo cups are made, practice their traditional hunting skills, learn about honey harvesting and learn about plant/tree parts that are used for herbal medicine.
What is the best time of the year to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is tropical all year round and therefore can be visited throughout the year. Nonetheless, the best months to undertake its activities is December to February and June to September because they provide favorable conditions (drier forest trails) for its outdoor activities (gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, mountain climbing and birding). While the wet months- March to May and October to November are avoided because of challenging conditions (muddy and slippery trails), treks (for golden monkeys and mountain gorillas) are shorter because these primates have much food thus don’t move far.
Where to stay
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has few accommodation facilities that include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Traveler’s Nest Hotel, Virunga Hotel, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Lake Mutanda Campsite, Ichumbi Hotel Kisoro, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, to mention but a few.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Ntebeko Visitor Center is 500 kilometers southwest of Kampala and 12 kilometers from Kisoro, the closest Town to the National Park. The best and most convenient way for travelers to reach Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is to take a scheduled/or chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport/or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip, which is just 45 minute drive away.
If you are hopping to go by road, take the 8-9-hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe via Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route with a 4×4 drive vehicle. Another road transport option is departing from Kigali to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park via Cyanika border for 4-5 hours.