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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Facts & Safaris
A visit to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda will undoubtedly reward you with a glimpse of the spectacular chain of extinct volcanoes whose forest-clad slopes host some of the world’s endangered primate species, including golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.
Whether you are looking at gorilla trekking, hiking the Virunga Volcanoes, or golden monkey tracking, we hope this guide will help you plan an exciting experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at a Glance
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest wildlife park, located in the southwest region. It sprawls 33.7km2 over the northern slopes of the three Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m).
The park is about 10 kilometres south of Kisoro and contiguous with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to the south and Congo’s Virunga National Park to the west, forming the much larger Virunga Conservation Area. The volcanoes’ forest-covered slopes are biologically diverse with various ecosystems, and their peaks offer a spectacular backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was created in 1991 to protect the endangered mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests. Only one habituated trans-boundary gorilla family is available for trekking. The endangered golden monkeys also inhabit this bamboo covered forest park.
It also has huge cultural significance and is home to the indigenous Batwa pygmies. These hunter-gatherers were the “first people” of the forest, and their ages-old understanding of its mysteries is still unmatched.
Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
1. Biodiversity
The park is comprised of Albertine Rift montane forest, bamboo forest, Ruwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands with tree heath, and an alpine zone at higher altitudes.
2. Wildlife
There are two prominent primate species in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: the iconic mountain gorillas and the charismatic golden monkey.
There is a population of about 30 gorillas divided between one habituated and two unhabituated groups while the golden monkey is an Albertine Rift Endemic whose distribution is currently limited to the Virungas and Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to over 76 mammal species such as elephants, buffalos, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, bush backs, leopards, black and white colobus, black-fronted duiker, several varieties of rodents, bats, and small predators.
There are over 180 species of birds, including the 14 endemic Albertine rift species, notably the Kivu ground thrush, handsome spurfowl, dusky crimson-wing, red throated alethe, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori batis, mountain masked apalis, and collared apalis, among others.
Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
1. Gorilla tracking
Although Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest protected area, it’s probably not the least popular of all parks. It is one of only two parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking is undertaken, the other being Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The park has one family called Nyakagezi that receives visitors on daily gorilla trekking excursions. The Mgahinga trek is a hike that is done along a range of ancient volcanoes, quite different from that of Bwindi. The park’s only gorilla group is a fascinating one with three adult silverbacks that quite impressively get along very well.
Like in Bwindi, gorilla trekking usually lasts between 1 and 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla group on any given day as well as the visitors’ fitness levels. Treks usually start at 8:00 a.m. with a briefing followed by a journey into the forest led by an armed ranger guide.
2. Golden monkey tracking
It is amazing how silverback gorillas and golden monkeys share a close range of habitat (gold meets silver). Golden monkeys are a unique species that can only be found in this part of the world – the Virunga Mountain ranges.
A community has become habituated to tourist visits and is fascinating for tourists to see as they sing between the bamboo reeds while feeding, playing, and nursing their young. Visitors on golden monkey tracking adventures also get a full hour with the primates.
3. Volcano hiking
Three extinct volcanic cones, Mt. Muhavura or Muhabura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabyinyo (3,645 m) offer unique and exciting hiking experiences. They are easy to see from miles away on clear days when the clouds aren’t covering them.
These three volcanoes are extensions of the Virunga massif, which is shared among the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All hikes are accompanied by a team of armed rangers, and each of the three volcanoes can be summited in one day. These single-day hikes are an excellent addition to a gorilla trekking safari.
Muhavura, with its crater lake, is the highest of the three mountains, although Sabyinyo proves to be the toughest and most famous. Visitors who reach Sabyinyo’s third peak are rewarded with the opportunity to stand in three countries at the same time without necessarily needing a visa.
4. Bird watching
Mgahinga is a perfect safari destination that offers excellent birding opportunities. At least 12 Albertine endemics, including the Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Regal Sunbird, handsome francolin, and Rwenzori Turaco, have been recorded.
5. Batwa experience
A safari to Mgahinga brings you closer to the Batwa pygmies, who were once forest hunters and gatherers. For thousands of years, this primitive tribe inhabited this area of the country and depended on this rich forest for their shelter, medicine, and food.
While on your trip, you will take the Batwa trail which is a cultural experience led by experienced Batwa guides. They will take you through the forest as you explore some of the secrets that kept them going for millennia.
6. Nature Walks
Mgahinga offers a series of impressive nature walks to visitors including the most popular Sabyinyo Gorge walk. It leads through the park’s incredible vegetation and landscape and climaxes at one of the most stunning waterfalls. Visitors will most likely sight some of the park’s wildlife along the way, such as chameleons, primates, giant earthworms, duikers, and bird species.
Best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in the dry months of June to August and December to February. There is little or no rainfall and the trails remain relatively drier, thus making it easier for travelers to hike through the dense forest jungles and steep slopes to search for the primates.
The months of March to May and September to November are characterized by heavy rainfall so expect muddy and slippery trails which make it challenging to hike while searching for these apes. However, the wet season is a perfect time for bird watching, with both endemic and migratory birds.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
By Road
Travelers visiting Mgahinga Gorilla National Park make a 9-hour drive from Kampala to reach the park in Kisoro. Local tour operators normally use 4WD vehicles, which are highly recommended. The route circles one of Uganda’s most picturesque areas, a journey that appeals to all senses.
A daily bus service is available for tourists who aren’t traveling in a private vehicle. Keep in mind that to get from Kisoro town to the park’s boundary, you will need to hire an extra shuttle. However, most visitors on a Uganda safari usually have these services arranged for them by tour operators as part of their safari package.
By Air
The park is also connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip. A typical flight lasts about one hour and ten minutes. From this point, visitors will transfer over a dirt road to get to the park.
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodations in Mgahinga range from budget, mid-range to luxury options. This great diversity caters for all travelers within the park irrespective of their safari budget. Please refer to where to stay when gorilla trekking in Uganda for detailed options.
- Lake Mutanda Resort.
- Birdnest Bunyonyi .
- Chameleon Hill Lodge.
- Gahinga Lodge.
