Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is set in southwestern Uganda, in Kisoro district, and is Uganda’s smallest national park. It belongs to the three national parks within the Virunga conservation area, the other two being Virunga National Park in the DRC and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established officially in 1991 and is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It covers approximately 33.7 sq. km and accommodates three of the Virunga chained mountains, including Mt. Muhavura, which stands at 4,127 meters above sea level, Mt. Gahinga, which stands at 3,474 meters above sea level, and Mt. Sabinyo, which stands at 3,645 meters.

 

 Mgahinga Gorilla National park was created for the sake of protecting endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a stunning place in Uganda, accommodating three of the Virunga chained volcanoes, and hiking to the top offers an unforgettable encounter. Mount Gahinga protects an awesome swamp at the top; Muhavura offers a crater lake at its top; and Mount Sabinyo offers the best experiences. Hiking to the Mount Sabinyo summit makes tourists set foot in three countries at once, including Uganda, the DRC, and Rwanda. 

 

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects over 39 mammals, including endangered Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, buffaloes, forest elephants, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, black-fronted duikers, leopards, spotted hyenas, and 79 species of birds.

 

Mgahinga gorilla national park there only offers one mountain gorilla group, the Nyakagezi mountain gorilla group that is being tracked. Years ago,  the Nyakagezi mountain gorilla family was mobile, moving from one country to another, then finally making the Mgahinga gorilla national park their permanent home. 

 

How to Get to Mgahinga

Mgahinga gorilla national park is situated 510 km from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, and tourists can always get there by either road or air. By road, traveling takes about a 9-10hours drive from Kampala to Mgahinga gorilla national park. Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be easily accessed by air with a chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airfield. The use of flights saves time but is tiresome.

 

Top things to do in Mgahinga gorilla national park

 

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga’s breathtaking tourism most done activity offering only Nyakagezi mountain gorilla family that is being tracked. Mountain gorilla tracking begins in the morning with a briefing about the do and don’ts of tracking the endangered gorillas, Mgahinga gorilla national park’s guides and park rangers are all experienced about mountain gorillas and the park at large. Mountain gorilla tracking involves moving deep into the dense forest and up steep slopes and valleys. Mountain gorilla tracking periods take approximately 2-4 weeks, depending on the location of these gorillas.

 

Volcano/Mountain Climbing

Mgahinga Gorilla national park offers thrilling and adventurous hiking to the tops of the three Virunga-chained volcanoes. Travelers can hike each volcano to the summit in just one day, these three Volcanoes include;

 

Mountain Muhavura 

Mountain Muhavura stands at 4,127 m, and climbing to the summit takes approximately 8 hours while covering about 12 km. This volcano is mostly covered with small shrubs, grasses, and rock, offering the best views in Uganda. Mount Muhavura's top gives travelers endless views of the Rwenzori mountains, Virunga chained volcanoes, Bwindi impenetrable forest, Lake Edward of Queen Elizabeth national park.

 

Mountain Gahinga

Hiking mount Gahinga takes about 6 hours, climbing this volcano takes all along to the Bamboo forest as travelers reach the summit, this volcano protects a swamp, and the distance covered is approximately 8 km.

 

Mount Sabinyo

The hike to the summit of Mount Sabinyo takes about 8 hours, and the gorges and ravines are the most adventurous encounters while hiking Mount Sabinyo. Mount Sabinyo summit offers a remarkable experience with endless views of the 3 countries which include Uganda, Rwanda, and the DR. Congo

 

Birding

Mgahinga Gorilla National park offers different bird species with approximately 79 species. Bird watching can take place in the bamboo forest, in the gorge between Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga, and within the montane forest. Within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, unique bird species include the Rwenzori Turaco.

 

Hiking and Nature walks

Hiking and nature walks are done on the outskirts of these mountains, making it an interesting tourism activity where hikers move in the wild vegetation on foot (think bamboo forests) around the Rugezi swamp, offering a chance to view a beautiful scenic of agricultural areas, nearby lakes like Lake Mutanda, and forest birds.

 

Golden Monkey Tracking

Mgahinga gorilla national park protects Uganda’s endangered golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are amazing to view as they climb different trees. Golden monkey tracking should not be missed out on your mountain gorilla tracking safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla national park.

 

Cultural Encounters

The thickets of Mgahinga Gorilla national park thickets also protect an indigenous group of people called the Batwa, where they used to stay, feed, hunt, and do all their other activities in the forests. Travelers to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can visit the Batwa people’s homes to see their way of living, eating, dressing, and dancing, among others. The Batwa offer a unique cultural encounter.

 

Where to Stay

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Nkuringo Safari Lodge

Traveler’s Nest Hotel

Mt. Mgahinga Rest Camp

Mount Mgahinga Lodge