Get to Know Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Witness this remarkable park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest Park, on an area of about 33.7 square kilometers located in South Western Uganda in Kisoro district. The Park is the most scenic National Park. Second home to the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. Mgahinga National Park is bordered by is bordered to the south by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and to the west by the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The park harbors unique birdlife over 250 bird species. Whether you are a seasoned mountain climber or starter, hiking Volcanoes is an experience that you will not forget among these three mountains including Mt. Sabyinyo, Mt. Gahinga and Mt. Muhavura. The Garama cave is also among the major attractions within the Park that you should not miss while on your safari in Mgahinga National Park. Garama Cave lies beneath a plateau northern edge of the park former home for the Batwa people.
What to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga National Park.
Feel like an expert getting guided by a local guide on your gorilla trek in Mgahinga National Park. Visit Nyakagezi gorilla family with over 19 members. Trekking Nyakagezi family is awesome experience which normally begins in the early the Park headquarters (Ntebeko visitor center) with dos and the don’ts while trekking gorillas. The time takes approximately 1 to 5 hours while trekking this rare endangered apes in their natural home.
Golden Monkey Trekking Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Golden monkey trekking is the second tourist pulling activity within the Park, the Park hosts over 5000 golden monkey species making it the best place to see this endangered apes which are distinguished from other monkey species by a golden fur on the back. Golden monkeys live in large groups of 60-80 members compared to mountain gorillas, which make an encounter with them more interesting and enjoyable.
Volcano/Mountain climbing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Saddle up on a volcano climbing experience, the most exciting and adventurous activity which carried out on three mountains that is Mt. Muhavura, Mt. Gahinga and Mt. Sabinyo that lies within the Virunga volcano bordering Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. The hiking to the top of the summit takes you 4 to 8 hours in a day and it doesn’t require any climbing experience or equipment this offers you perfect experience and it needs one to be physically fit. While at the summit you will have an opportunity explore the three countries at once which is memorable rewarding experience within the Park.
Batwa Cultural Experience
Meet and mingle with the Batwa people. The indigenous group living around Mgahinga National Park. Demonstrate their hunting skills, and immerse in their daily activities in the forests. So while visitors are in Mgahinga they can have a visit to the Batwa’s home steads to see how they live, dress, eat, dance among others, it’s purely a local experience that will leave you with memories.
Best time to Visit the Park
Mgahinga National Park is open for gorilla trekking and golden monkey all year around, the best time is from June to August and December to February. There is less rain during this time making gorilla trekking easier. March to April and September to November are usually very wet month, although they make the best bird watching time, during these months, it is usually misty and wet making Gorilla trekking challenging.
Where to stay in the Park
Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge.
The Mt. Gahinga Safari Lodge is situated at the foot of the Virunga chain of lodges. Rounded by Mounts Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura, this unique lodge has stunning scenery around it and its nine Banda huts. Every room’s design is got from ancient traditional Batwa culture paired with world class comfort as well as beautiful garden with rustic styles setting
Kisoro Tourist Hotel.
Kisoro Tourist Hotel in Kisoro town, ideal option for anyone visiting the southwest of Uganda, on the way to Rwanda, Congo and Bwindi for gorilla tracking. The region of Kigezi is well known as “The Switzerland of Africa” for its evergreen forests, lush valleys, and numerous lakes and hills.
Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel.
Travelers Rest Hotel is a colonial-style hotel located just 14km from the Park outside Kisoro Town, in the extreme southwestern part of Uganda, providing a perfect point for trips into the Park. When the visitor is just entering, he or she is welcomed by the ibis typical sound. The wonderful-green surrounding garden is the home of various birds species.
How to get to the Park.
The Park is 510km away from Kampala, by road it is approximately between 9 to 10hours’covering 434km to Kabale town and more 76km to Kisoro town, this route is tarmacked and a bit mountainous and steep. From Kisoro to the park it’s around 14km to Ntebeko the park headquarters.
By flight, from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro airstrip. Usually there is only one morning flight departing at 0700AM flights saves more time and it is less tiresome.