Located along the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mgahinga is one of the most treasured national parks in Africa. This small but beautiful park lies in the far southwest of Uganda. The park is part of the larger Virunga Region that is an incredible home to mountain gorillas. If you are looking for great wildlife experiences, you should not miss visiting this amazing place on earth that is home to an endangered ape species that is only found in the volcanic mountains of Africa.
Where is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga National park is located in South Western Uganda. The park lies on the northern slopes of the mountains Muhabura, Mgahinga and Sabyinyo. These three volcanoes give the park an unforgettable view. The park can be accessed from both Kampala (Uganda) and Kigali (Rwanda).
Great Scenery
Mgahinga is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The parks is located in the “skies” with its fascinating peaks rising high. The park is formed of three of the six Virunga volcanoes that define the southern boundary of the Albertine Rift Valley. These volcanoes spread across Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.
The Virunga Mountains are home to more than half the last remnant population of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. On the slopes of the volcanoes, there are about 480 individuals wondering through the hilly forested jungles, while the remaining 420 live in the nearby Uganda’s Bwindi National Park. The mountain gorillas of Mgahinga roam freely within the two adjacent gorilla parks in Rwanda (Volcanoes NP) and DRC (Virunga NP).
Nyakagezi
The Nyakagezi Gorilla family has 10 members; the leader is a Silverback by the name of Mark. This group has the highest number of Silverbacks in a single family, five; there are 2 adult females and 3 young members. The last birth recorded in this family was on October 19, 2013, but the infant died two weeks later.
Things to Do in Mgahinga National Park
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the main highlight of visiting Mgahinga National Park. There is one habituated gorilla family that tourists visit on a gorilla trek within the park. The habituated group is called the Nyakagyezi group and consists of 11 members including 2 silver back gorillas. You can book a gorilla tour to this park with a local tour operator in Uganda or Rwanda and the booking of a gorilla permit is done by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Although mountain gorillas, are the biggest attraction forms of the park, there is other wildlife that live in the park. The park has no fewer than 76 species of mammals, including the golden monkey (local and rare breed from blue monkey), black and white colobus monkey, leopard, forest elephants and the large forest hogs. Golden monkey tracking is another interesting adventure one can take in Mgahinga National Park. For birders the park has a good number of bird species inclduing rarities and endemics.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden monkeys reside within the Virunga region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda, East-Central Africa. They are the sub-species of blue monkeys that can be spotted around the Albertine rift area and Virunga area. The 2 options to encounter golden monkeys include the normal golden monkey trek and golden monkey habituation. A normal trekking permits cost USD 60 per person and habituation permit go for USD 100.
Volcano Hiking
All the three volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park can be climbed/hiked with the lead of an experienced guide. They include Sabyinyo Volcano, Muhabura and Gahinga Volcanoes. These come with irresistible views from the surrounding areas at the summits.
Birding
Mgahinga Gorilla NP offers the best birding experience with birders having a chance to identify lots of Albertine rift endemic species. Of the 180 species of birds living in this park, expect to sight birds such as Western green tinker bird, Yellow-vented bulbul, White napped raven, Wax bills, Striped breasted tit, white starred robin, Archer’s robin chats, banded prinia, fly eagle, handsome francolins, Kivu ground thrush, crowned hornbills, alpine chat, bronze sunbird, blue headed coucals, double collared sunbird, scarlet tufted sunbirds, to mention but a few.
Community Tours
Around the park there are several different local communities where one can go for a local community tour. These include the Batwa Pygmy tribe, an ethnic group that lived in the forest. The Batwa were food gatherers that shared the forest with the mountain gorillas. To protect the mountain gorillas these people were relocated from the forest without compensation and were moved to outside the park. You can take a Batwa Local Community tour and get them earn a living from tourism.
Tips for Mgahinga Visitors
The habituated gorilla family within the park moves between the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. Therefore booking your gorilla trekking tour you need to get a confirmation from a local tour operator about the presence of the group within the park. For the last 2 years the group has been in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity! You need to be physically fit in order to enjoy your gorilla trek in Mgahinga National Park. Remember to come with the right gear for your adventure into the wild.
Getting There
You can take a bus from Kampala to Kisoro. The park is located just a 30-minute drive from Kisoro and you can take an organized car service from Kisoro. It is possible to reach Kampala from Mgahinga in one day, but the distance is very far. There are many tour operators who offer an organized gorilla safari that you can join to explore the park in depth!
Accommodation Facilities
The available safari lodges to book in and around Mgahinga National Park include Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Travelers Nest Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, Virunga Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Lake Mutanda Campsite, Kisoro Hotel, and many others.
For more information visit the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park website.