Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is set suitably in Kisoro district, Southwestern Uganda about 8-10 hours’ drive away from Kampala and approximately 4 hours from Kigali. From Kisoro, it is 10kms drive and borders Rwanda to the south and DR Congo to west. It is Uganda’s smallest national park with an area coverage of about 33.7sq.kms but regardless of its size, it is one magical safari destination not to be missed to explore while on Uganda safari.
Mgahinga National Park makes up part of the vast Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) which extents to cover Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in eastern side of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mgahinga National Park was gazetted in 1991 and it straddles between altitude 2227 and 4127 meters. Its elevation is defined by its scenic volcanoes that make up the Great Virunga Massifs-Gahinga Volcano which stands at elevation of 3474 meters, Sabyinyo volcano at 3645 meters and Muhabura at 4127 meters. It derives its name from Kinyarwanda word Gahinga denoting pile of volcanic lava stone heaps where farming is usually conducted. This park largely comprises of bamboo forest, Ruwenzori Virunga montane moorland with tree heath, alpine zone on higher elevation, Albertine rift montane forest.
Wildlife species in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers refuge to about 39 mammal species which include some of the mountain gorillas that are fewer than 1004 in the world today; buffaloes, elephants, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, black fronted duikers, giant fronted hogs, bushbuck as well as 115 species of birds.
Bird species in Mgahinga National Park
With about 115 bird species, Mgahinga National Park is of no doubt a birder’s paradise. While on Uganda safari, the birds to identify in this park include black kite, pin tailed whydah, white necked raven, alpine, archer’s robin chat, blue headed Coucal, waxbills, fire finch stonechat, grey capped warbler, paradise flycatcher, ibis, doubled collared sunbird, olive pigeon, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori turaco, dusky crimson wing, kivu ground thrush to mention but a few.
Activities to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking
In Uganda, Mgahinga National Park is second after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where gorilla treks in the pearl of Africa are only done. Visitors on Uganda gorilla safari usually commence their adventures with briefing from Ntebeko and Nyakagezi is the only gorilla family set for tourism purposes. To take part in this lifetime experience in this park, you need to reserve your permit early enough because it is limited to only 8 visitors but it is a perfect place for trekkers who do not want crowded places. You can secure a gorilla permit in Uganda at $600 although this is due to change to $700 starting 2020.
Golden monkey tracking
If you miss to view mountain gorillas, do not miss to strike your imaginations with golden monkeys. These striking creatures thrive only in the Virunga Conservation Area and they are trekked in Mgahinga National Park or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Alternatively, you can embark on golden monkey habituation experience a unique experience which is offered only in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Birding
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the best birding sites in Uganda and while you are on birding safari, there are many unique birds to look out for. The birds to identify while on Uganda birding safari tour in Mgahinga National Park include pin tailed whydah, white necked raven, alpine, archer’s robin chat, blue headed Coucal, waxbills, fire finch stonechat, grey capped warbler, paradise flycatcher, ibis, doubled collared sunbird, olive pigeon, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori nightjar and Ruwenzori turaco among others.
Mountain or volcano climbing
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is comprised of three scenic volcanoes making it a perfect place to embark on hiking/volcano hiking while on Uganda safari. Mount Muhabura that denotes the guide is 4127 meters high and a complete hike through this volcano can take 8 hours. Because it is exhilarating adventure, don’t forget to come with bottled water, energy giving snacks.
Hiking through Mount Gahinga is such a thrilling experience that any hiker shouldn’t miss while on Uganda safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You need 6 hours to make a complete hike through this volcano and you will wind through its beautiful bamboo forest.
Mount Sabyinyo denotes old man’s teeth. It takes hikers eight hours to complete hiking through this magnificent volcano and while on top, you will have breathtaking view of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo.
Hiking/nature walks
Nature walks involve exploring the different habitats of Mgahinga National Park. You will explore the lush bamboo forest, Rugezi swamp vegetation and while on a nature walk you will enjoy the views of the farmlands, Lake Mutanda and other surrounding areas.
Batwa trail
For a thousand years, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers inhabited the Batwa pygmies-the renowned hunters and gatherers whose life depended on the forest for medicine, shelter, food and many more. The Batwa trail also takes you to Garama cave
Accommodation in Mgahinga National Park
The nearby safari lodges in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and they include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and this is found in the southern side of Bwindi along Nteko ridge; Nkuringo safari lodge in the stunning shores of Lake Mutanda, Mount Mgahinga Rest Camp, Traveler’s Nest Hotel and Mount Mgahinga Lodge.
Best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open to visitors on Uganda safari throughout the year. For starters, the dry season is a perfect period to visit this park for gorilla trekking or hiking and it begins in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January, February. In case you are interested in bird watching then visit Mgahinga National Park in the wet months of the year March to May and from October to November.
How to get to Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is found in southwestern Uganda about 540kms away from Kampala, approximately 8 to 10 hours’ drive. Your journey will begin from Kampala via Kabale route and the park is reachable through Ntebeko part gate. Fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and connect to the park.