Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
At the extreme Southwestern Uganda lies the country’s smallest park – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is one of the unspoiled Uganda safari parks where mountain gorillas and golden monkeys can be spotted right in their natural environment.
Location of Mgahinga in Uganda
Mgahinga G. National Park is a rain-forest Uganda safari protected area, located in Kisoro district. The park is found at the extreme Southwestern side of the country, bordering Rwanda and Congo. It occupies the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA), an exceptional region that also encompasses Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Congo and Rwanda respectively.
The size of Mgahinga & when it was gazetted: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is compact by size, occupying around 33.7sq.kms of land area. Its status quo as a Uganda safari or National Park in Uganda were attained in 1991 after upgrading from being a Game Sanctuary. Mgahinga National Park was officially recognized as a Game Sanctuary in 1930 under the British administration.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (also popular as place where gold meets silver) takes its name after “Gahinga”, a local word that denotes to the piles of volcanic stones from cultivated land at the Virunga foothills. The altitude range of Mgahinga is 2227 to 4127m.
Within Mgahinga National Park, expect to explore more than massive mountain gorillas or golden monkeys. Three of the eight Virunga volcanoes make Mgahinga a desired volcano hiking destination in Africa. Enthusiastic hikers/trekkers on Africa safaris or Uganda safaris, trekking experiences in Mgahinga are possible while at Mount Muhabura (4127m), Mt. Sabyinyo (3645m), Gahinga Mountain (3474m).
Tourist Attractions in Mgahinga National Park, Uganda
Wildlife/Animals – Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a home to a total of 76 mammal species. These consists mainly of the massive mountain gorillas and worldwide, less than 1063 of these creatures are left. Mountain gorillas occupy the Virunga region and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – these are all Africa safari parks. ‘
Additionally, the park supports spotted hyenas, elephants, black fronted duikers, bush bucks, buffaloes, South African porcupines, golden cats, bush pigs, golden cats, golden monkeys and more.
Birdlife
180 bird species in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park make it is a desired birding safari destination. These consist of paradise flycatchers, stone chat, pin tailed whydahs, blue headed council, gray capped warblers, double collared sunbird, firefinch, Rwenzori turaco, waxbill, white napped raven, Rwenzori nightjar, ibises and others.
3- three Virunga volcanoes
Mgahinga has for long and still the desired trekking paradise. A home to three Virunga volcanoes -Mt. Sabyinyo, Mt. Muhabura and Mt. Gahinga. For great trekking challenge, no remarkable place is worth exploring than Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Activities to do on visit to Mgahinga G/National Park
Gorilla trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking or tracking makes up the top reasons why most Uganda safari or Africa safari travelers consider Mgahinga their bucket-list destination. Visiting endangered mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a dream come a true. These massive primates live in only Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. At Mgahinga, Nyakagezi group is the only family to be visited.
Visiting Mgahinga gorillas is only possible for adults above 15 years and they have valid gorilla permits. The standard price for Uganda gorilla permits costs USD700 (foreign non-residents), foreign residents pay USD600 and shs. 250,000 for East Africa community.
Birding expeditions
One hundred eighty bird species all reside within Mgahinga and birding safaris here are a great deal to identify unique birds mostly the Albertine rift endemic species. The birds of avifaunal enthusiasts’ interest include the Rwenzori nightjars, dusky crimson wing, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori nightjars, Ibis, yellow vented bulbul, white necked raven, Rwenzori turacos, etc.
The key birding regions of Mgahinga include the Gorge trail. This trail comes with astonishing bird sightings such as Rwenzori batis, dusky turtle dove, cape robin chat, streaky seedeater, bronze sunbird, brown crowned tchagra, Rwenzori batis, Kivu ground thrush, black headed waxbill.
The bamboo belt (2500m) and the montane forest (2660m) are potential birding spots with birds such as Rwenzori turacos, banded prinia, Chubb’s cisticola, red faced woodland warblers, Doherty’s bush shrike, etc.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga is a lifetime chance to encounter golden monkeys in the wild. Golden monkeys feature a distinct patch of silver/golden hair and capturing their pictures is a little tricky because they are naturally jumpy.
Batwa cultural visit/trail
The Batwa cultural trail is what ushers you into the Batwa pygmies’ communities to explore a lot about the Batwa cultures, traditions, practices and how they lived in the forest for years. Tourists are accompanied by experienced Batwa themselves and you will learn even plants of medicinal value.
Guided nature walk/hiking
Trekking through Mgahinga National Park is thrilling experience. You will explore the Virunga volcanoes and these come with opportunity to sight birds. The potential sites for nature walking here include bamboo forest, Rugezi swamp, Sabyinyo gorge, etc.
Garama cave excursion
Garama caves are among the many caves that make Uganda generally a desired caving spot. Located 4kms away from Ntebeko are Garama caves – lengthy caves stretching 200m. These are also sacred places for the Batwa who were displaced when Mgahinga and Bwindi were founded as National Parks.
When to visit – Mgahinga- Uganda safaris
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies in a region that enjoys favorable weather/climatic conditions. This makes it an all-year-round travel destination; however, the dry season is the best to go Uganda safaris. The lengthy dry season to enjoy a gorilla safari or hiking in Mgahinga runs from June to September, while the shortest dry spell starts from December to February.
Accommodation – Mgahinga National Park, Uganda
Mount Gahinga Lodge – This is a luxurious Uganda safari lodge built close to Mgahinga Park gate. The lodge features 6 luxurious cottages equipped with en-suite bathrooms, hot water, restaurant, bar, fireplace and other amenities.
Travelers Rest Hotel – This is a standard/midrange hotel set up found in Kisoro town, 100m off from offices of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Other nearby places to stay on African safari/Uganda safari in Mgahinga include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge.
Getting to Mgahinga National Park- Uganda by air or road
By air: Flights to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be arranged. All flights to Mgahinga set off from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip. This is 2 hours’ flight and by road, 9-10 hours’ drive from Kampala or take 4-5 hours connecting from Kigali city via Katuna/Chanika border.
More Facts About Mgahinga G/National Park
What is the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park famous for?
Lying in Kisoro District, Mgahinga is most famous not only for its unique primates –golden monkeys and mountain gorillas, but also as a great birding destination. The park supports diversity of bird species, especially endemic rift species. The main habitats of Mgahinga’s birds include bamboo belt, montane forest, gorge trail, and more. Mgahinga is most famous for its iconic experiences including gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, birding, golden monkey habituation, nature walks, Batwa cultural trail and more.
How much is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) fees?
If you are visiting Mgahinga for gorilla trekking, then gorilla permit fees cover even the park entrance costs. Each gorilla permit for Mgahinga gorilla trekking experience costs USD 700 per person (for foreign non-residents), USD 600 per visitor traveling as foreign resident to see Mgahinga’s gorillas, and shs. 250,000 for all East African citizens.
How many gorillas are there in Mgahinga?
Mgahinga is one of the only 4 parks on earth where mountain gorillas live from and remarkably, only one group lives here that is Nyakagezi group family. About 80 mountain gorillas live in this park and these are open for trekking.