For travellers longing to enjoy jungle experiences in exclusivity, book a trip to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where your breath will be taken away.
Location of Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is nestled high in the cloud of Virunga Volcanoes (between 7306 and 13540 feet above sea level, in the extreme south-western side of Uganda. The Park is part of the extensive Virunga Conservation Area that sprawls the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, meaning Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is bordered by these two countries in addition to protecting the verdant and densely forested slopes of three magnificent Virunga Volcanoes that include Mount Gahinga (3474 meters), Mount Sabyinyo (3645 meters) and Mount Muhabura (4127 meters).
Mgahinga National Park size
Extending for only about 3400 hectares, Mgahinga Gorilla National Par is the oldest Park in the country and for a Park as small as 3400 hectares, nothing much can be expected but Mgahinga Gorilla National Park always shocks and marvels visitors at the same time. It was named after one of the Virunga Volcanoes within the Park-Gahinga, to mean pile of small volcanic stones cleared from cultivated farmlands found at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. Mgahinga was first gazetted as a Game Sanctuary in 1930 and gained its National Park status in 1991 (same year as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park).
Highlights
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a natural wonderland of 34 square kilometers characterized by varying vegetation types across the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. The lower slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes are marked by Bamboo forest and also expect montane forests, Rwenzori-Virunga Montane moorlands with heath and the magnificent Alpine zone in the higher altitudes.
Mountain gorilla trekking
Mgahinga National Park is one of the few places on Earth where mountain gorillas can be trekked and with about 40 mountain gorilla in this Park, you can’t be disappointed. The Park’s only habituated gorilla group (Nyakagezi) can only be trekked by 8 visitors each day through the dense rainforest as well as hilly terrain hence making trekking here special. Typical gorilla treks start with briefing at Ntebeko Visitor Center by 7:00am followed by entering into the forest by 8am.
Golden monkey tracking and Habituation Experience
Much as the golden monkeys are overshadowed by mountain gorillas, guided Golden monkey trekking adventures are provided in Mgahinga National Park. This adventure is less demanding physically as gorilla trekking, and also starts by 7:00am with briefing and venturing into the forest by 8am to search for the frisky and colorful primate species. A permit that all0owsd you to trek golden monkeys cost only $90 per person.
Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is another excellent way to explore Mgahinga National Park There are different climbing trails that allow visitors to tackle three of the eight Virunga Volcanoes (Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura). For travellers with stamina, determination and moderate physical fitness can scale and summit the peaks of any of these Volcanoes. Spend several hours with reward of mind-blowing scenery, rich flora and fauna and great deal of other indescribable experiences.
Batwa Cultural Experience
Mgahinga National Park’s diverse cultural mix means travellers are provided with a wide range of exciting cultural activities that include traditional dances, beautiful art and crafts, outstanding housing structures and many others. Expect to learn about traditional hunting techniques, undertake tours to the traditional medicine man, learn about Bamboo cup making and this is climaxed by visit to Garama Cave.
Bird watching
Mgahinga National Park is one of Uganda’s best bird watching spots, with numerous Albertine Rift endemics, Afro-montane highland endemic species and many others. Different species of feathered beauties can be seen and heard all over the forest (even at the comfort of your place of lodging) at any time of the day. Some of the unmissable species in this Park are Kivu Ground Thrush, Black-headed waxbill, streaky seed-eater, blue-headed sunbirds, Archer’s ground robin, pin-tailed whydah, Rwenzori batis, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Rwenzori Turaco, Yellow-billed Kites, Grey-capped warblers, yellow-vented bulbul, strange weavers, Grauer’s swamp warblers, Dusky crimson-wing, Olive woodpecker, Paradise flycatcher, to mention but a few.
Guided forest walks
Undertaking guided forest walks is the most perfect way to explore the hidden treasures of Mgahinga National Park. There are several well-maintained walking for all preferences and physical abilities winding through Rivers, varying vegetation types, wetlands, Valleys and many areas. Grab your hiking boots, snacks, drinking water, binoculars and camera to experience these trails that provide sights and sounds of forest birds, beautiful landscapes and spectacular tree species. Take on the guided walk to the Congo border, the rewarding Golden monkey track and hike through Sabyinyo gorge among others.
How do i get there ?
By Road
Mgahinga National Park is about 540 kilometers/ 8-10 hours’ drive from Kampala and the main route goes through Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and Kisoro Towns before branching-off to a murram road that continue until Ntebeko Visitor Center.
By Flight
Your Scheduled or even chartered flight can be booked from Entebbe International Airport (main Airport in Uganda) or Kajjansi Airstrip (in Kampala) to Kisoro Airstrip (nearest Airstrip), then continue visitors connect to their places of lodging by road.