In Which African Country is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
In which African country is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? Where is Mgahinga located? Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest African safari park located in the far Southwestern Uganda. Mgahinga is found in Kisoro District and bordering it is Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Established in 1991, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) is a spectacular gorilla safari park occupying the land area of only 33.7sq.km. The protects over 39 mammal species which include African forest elephants, golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, buffaloes, and several bird species. 3 of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes all exist within Mgahinga National Park and include Muhabura Volcano (4127m), Gahinga (3474m) and Sabyinyo (3645m).
Where is Mgahinga found?
Mgahinga is found within Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda about 9-10 hours’ drive from the heart of Kampala/Entebbe city. And 4-5 hours’ drive starting from Kigali capital of Rwanda. Getting to Mgahinga NP is best using a 4×4 tourist vehicle considering the nature of the countryside landscape characterized by undulating hills.
Where do gorillas live in Africa?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is amazingly one of the 4 African parks where mountain gorillas freely roam in the wild. These are the park’s iconic attractions and only Nyakagezi family is open for gorilla trekking in this park.
Which countries are gorillas found in?
Africa boasts of different gorilla species –Eastern and western gorillas, but mountain gorillas specifically live in 3 countries. The only African countries to consider visiting to see mountain gorillas include Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo. These are the East-Central African countries where over 1063 endangered mountain gorillas survive from.
Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?
Rwanda and Uganda are unique destinations all offering unmatched gorilla trekking experiences. Visiting the 2 countries for gorilla trekking each rewards visitors with distinct experience. What differentiates the two though are a few factors including the number of habituated gorilla families, accessibility from the city centre, cost of gorilla permits and others.
Rwanda alone holds up to 12 habituated gorilla groups and Uganda has 21 gorilla families all open for trekking. While on gorilla tour in Uganda, visitors choose between 2 gorilla parks to start their gorilla trekking adventures that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda as of 2024 stand at USD 1500 per person and in Uganda, you can purchase or obtain a gorilla permit at USD 700 for foreign non-residents, USD 600 for all foreign residents and shs. 250,000 per person visiting Bwindi or Mgahinga as Ugandan or East African citizen. Booking a Rwanda gorilla permit or gorilla permit in Uganda is easier with Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd info@premiumafricasafaris.com | +256782045763, +256781376747.
What is Mgahinga National Park -MNP famous for?
Mgahinga National Park is most famous not only for its rare mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, but also chain of Virunga Mountains including Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga all open for volcano hiking. The park also shelters a significant bird population, especially Albertine rift endemic species and forest birds including Kivu ground thrush, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird,
Rwenzori batis, Cape robin chat, brown crowned tchagra, Bronze sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Streaky seed-eaters, Blue headed sunbird, Montane double collared sunbird, Black kite, Olive thrush, Handsome francolins to mention but a few.
What is the history of the Mgahinga National Park?
Mgahinga was officially declared as a Game Sanctuary by the British administration in 1930 and later, upgraded into a National Park in 1991. The park features one habituated gorilla group –Nyakagezi and this is visited by a maximum of 8 guests per day.
Top 4 Exciting Activities to do inside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga has several amazing safari activities worth undertaking by nature enthusiasts on Uganda safaris. Here are the top 4 activities to do inside Mgahinga National Park; mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, birding, and volcano climbing.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the leading primate experience awaiting you on a vacation in Mgahinga National Park Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla treks primarily take you on memorable search for the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The trekking to see mountain gorillas in the jungles of Mgahinga starts immediately after briefing from Ntebeko Visitor Centre by the park official. The entire adventure runs between 2 and 6 hours inclusive of an hour of up close and personal with these large apes.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey trekking/tracking is a special primate adventure enjoyable within the Virunga region where golden monkeys live. Golden monkey trek entirely involves immersing yourself into African jungles in search for golden monkeys. It is 2-4 hour primate trek with an experienced park guide leading you through the entire adventure circle. On locating golden monkey troop, there is a maximum of an hour for up close and photography with golden monkeys. Treks are not as strenuous as actual gorilla trekking adventure.
Birding
Visiting Mgahinga for birding is a great opportunity to look out for diversity of birds including Albertine rift endemic species. The ideal locations for bird watching in this park include bamboo belt, montane forest and gorge trail between Sabyinyo and Gahinga Volcanoes. The birds to identify in this park include among others the black kites, Rwenzori batis, streaky see-eaters, Cape robin chat, Dusky turtle dove, Brown crowned tchagra, handsome francolins, montane double collared sunbird, red faced woodland, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, dusky turtle dove, and more.
Volcano climbing
If you enjoy adventure challenge then you have every reason to consider Mgahinga NP a must-visit for volcano climbing/hiking. All the 3 Virunga Massifs in this park can be hiked and include Sabyinyo 3669m, Gahinga 3474m and Muhabura 4127m.
When to visit Mgahinga Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an all year-round African park. But the best time to experience the most of gorilla trekking or volcano hiking is during the peak/dry months of the year –June, July, August, September, December, January and February.
Where to stay
Available accommodation alternatives inside and around Mgahinga include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Traveler’s Nest Hotel, Lake Mutanda Campsite, Virunga Hotel and more.