Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest park, covering an area of just 34 sq kms, located on the south western tip of the country on the border with Congo (Zaire) and Rwanda, 510km from Kampala. The park derives its name from “Gahinga Kinyarwanda word for a pile of volcanic lava stone heaps around which cultivation is carried out.”Mgahinga” is named after Mount Gahinga plus the initial of Mount Muhavura.
This small national park protects the Ugandan portion of the Virungas, chain of six extinct and three sporadically active volcanoes which follows the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area. Mgahinga National Park is the second home to one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorilla found on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. It is bordered by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and the Virunga National Park of DR Congo.
Access to visit the gorillas is strictly controlled, with only small groups being allowed at any one time and always accompanied by a ranger. Booking to see the gorillas must be made well in advance. Other wildlife found in the park include bushbuck, elephant, leopard, aardvark, honey badger. jackal and a wealth of birdlife. Three extinct volcanos rise within the park, Mt. Muhuvura, Mt. Gahinga and Mt Sabinyo. The peak of Muhavura has a small crater lake and is the highest point in the park rising to 4,127 metres.
A selection of Volcano Tours is available from the park offices. Accommodation: There are motels in nearby Kisoro and Kabale. We have several community accommodations including Mgahinga community camp at the gate, Lake Mutanda campsite, and Golden monkey guest house in kisoro. Other up-class hotels and available in Kisoro and near to the park.
Mgahinga National Park is premier mountain gorilla safari destination, located in Kisoro district. This is Uganda’s smallest park extending up to 33.7sq.km and is endowed with natural wonders including the endangered mountain gorillas. Other faunal species include bushbucks, elephants, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, golden monkeys, black fronted duikers, side-striped jackals, and more.
Quick Facts
Size: 38.6 sq Km
Location: Far south west, bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 14km from Kisoro town.
Activities:
Gorilla tracking depends on whether the gorillas are around (they some times-not often-move across the boarder). Permits must be booked at the UWA office in Kisoro or Kampala. Guided walks to the volcanic peaks require an early start. Enroute to Kisoro lies lovely Lake Bunyonyi, hemmed in by steep mountains and studded with small islands.
Visiting Time: Any time but check that the gorillas are around.
Species
The vegetation is the one typical of afro-montane areas, with a consistent bamboo forest. There are 76 mammal species recorded, including buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, golden monkeys, leopards. 115 bird species have been recorded, including Rwenzori Turaco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crowned crane. Mgahinga hosts a population of golden monkeys and a few families of mountains gorillas called Nyakagezi a trans-boundary species to Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. You can book a cheap and memorable Uganda gorilla safari to Mgahinga National park through a local tour operator.
Things to See in Mgahinga
Mgahinga is part of a larger ecosystem, the Virunga Conservation Area (434km sq) which includes two adjacent parks in Rwanda and Congo. The park which is a cultural heritage featuring in the history, folklore and traditional healing practices for local people, covers the north slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.
Mgahinga was proclaimed with the primary aim of providing sanctuary to the rare mountain gorilla, some 300 of which live in the Virungas, and gorilla tracking remains the most popular activity. Here, though it is dependent on the seasonal movements of the habituated groups. Mgahinga supports a diverse forest and moorland fauna, notably the localized Golden monkey and at least 12 bird species endemic to the Albertine Rift but also small populations of elephant, leopard, buffalo and black and white colobus monkey. The spectacular setting at the base of the volcanoes, the tallest of which reaches an elevation of 4, 507 m, is among the most stirring in East Africa.
Birds of Mgahinga National Park
The park supports a total of 180 species of birds. These include white starred robins, Rwenzori turacos, Western green tinker bird, Archer’s robin chat, striped breasted tit, cinnamon bracken warblers, scarlet tufted sunbird, olive pigeon, Rwenzori turacos, black headed waxbills, Kivu ground thrush and more.
Things to Do in Mgahinga
A trip to Mgahinga comes with plenty of opportunities for you to explore and experience the best of what the park offers. Mgahinga is a premier destination in Kisoro District, thanks to its unique attractions like the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Here are some of the exciting safari activities to do;
Gorilla trekking
The main attraction is the “Gorilla tracking” to the only one habituated family of mountain gorillas which at times cross to Volcanoes of Rwanda and Virunga National Park of DR Congo. Gorilla trekking is Mgahinga’s iconic experience and shouldn’t be missed while on a vacation in Kisoro. From Supa’s Guest House, you can easily connect up to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to track mountain gorillas. A gorilla trek in this park rakes about 2-6 hours and includes an hour of up close and personal with a family of endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. A maximum of 8 guests are accepted to embark on a trek to visit one habituated gorilla families.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey is one exceptional primate adventure awaiting you on Uganda safari in Mgahinga National Park. With more than 3000-4000 individuals all distributed across the Virunga region, a visit to Mgahinga is a great opportunity to explore in depth about these apes’ behaviors.
Golden monkey tracking is a special and unusual primate experience awaiting you to enjoy in Mgahinga National Park. Golden monkeys are distinct species thriving in the Virunga region and Albertine rift area. The Virunga Area in particular encompasses Mgahinga National Park and other protected areas like Virunga National Park, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park. You can opt for a normal golden monkey trek or golden monkey habituation experience –all offered in Mgahinga NP.
Bird watching
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers unforgettable birding experience, and particularly, it is an ideal location to find several of Albertine rift valley species. Some of the birds to expect to search for while at this park include the Shelly’s dusky crimson wings, Cape robin chat, Dusky turtle dove, Bronze sunbird, Cinnamon bracken warblers, Brown woodland warblers, Greater double collard sunbird, black thrush, olive pigeon, Black headed waxbills, Archer’s robin chat to mention but a few.
Hiking
Each of the three volcanoes can be climbed with a day trip hike as recommended by the lonely planet, without special mountain equipment. Visits are organized to the Garama Cave, near the Park Head Quarter in Ntebeko, which is 432 m. in length and was once inhabited by the pygmies’ population.
Day Walks
A number of one day nature walks are available from the gate at Ntebeko (the Sabinyo Gorge trail and Rugezi Swamp trail), especially for bird watching activities, visit to the Batwa cultural centre and the Golden monkey trekking is now famous.
Batwa trail experience
The Batwa trail experience offers typical of African cultural experience, particularly the Batwa cultural encounter/interaction. The walk through this trail brings you the best of the history, cultures and traditions of the Batwa pygmies. The entire experience will be led by one of the Batwa pygmies’ member.
The Park covers 38 kms in size, is the Ugandan part of the bigger Virunga Conservation Area, which is a jointly protected area with Congo and Rwanda. It includes three extinct volcanoes: Mount Sabinyo (3.669 m.), Mount Gahinga (3.474 m.) and Mount Muhavura (4.127 m.).
Accessibility
Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by road or air transport. Kisoro Town at the foot of Mt. Muhavura is about 540km from Kampala and takes about 8 hours via Kabale on an excellent paved road surface. Public transport by bus is available on a daily basis. Mgahinga is located 13 km from Kisoro town and can be accessed by Public transport. Kisoro Town can also be accessed by air. The town boasts of a bitumen runway Airfield at Nyakabande.
Accommodation facilities
For clients who want to visit this park accommodation can be organized from the basic Camp-site to the luxurious full board hotels, these include Traveler’s Rest, Sky Blue, Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp, Virunga Hotel, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, Rugigana Campsite and Mubano Hotel.
An up market lodge, community-run bandas and camping are available at the entrance gate. There is plenty of accommodation in Kisoro town