At a size of just 33.7 square kilometres, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda and the second home to the endangered mountain gorillas as well as the endangered golden monkeys that is why it is referred to as a place where Silver meets Gold.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the corner of south western Uganda in Kisoro District, 12.5km south of Kisoro Town council. The park forms the northeastern part of the Virunga Volcano ranges which extends into DR.Congo and Rwanda, and it comprises of three volcanoes that is Mount Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.
The summit of Mount Muhavura is the highest point of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at 4,127m and has a smaller crater lake that tourists may wish to visit. The view from the summit is often obscured by the cloud, The Park is dominated by a range of vegetation types including montane, alpine and sun-alpine flora at the different levels up the volcano’s varying altitude. it is possible to climb to the peaks of Mount Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhavura, although you need to be abit fit to summit.
Traditionally, Mahinga was used as an over-flow gorilla tracking destination in Bwindi, but that has changed for two reason. The first is that the increase in the cost of the Rwandan gorilla permits to $1,500 per person has prompted visitors to explore Rwanda and then cross the border to Mgahinga where the treks cost $800per person.
The second reason is that Mgahinga is such as a wonderful place to visit. Situated closelu to Lake Mutanda and Lake Bunyoni.
In addition to gorilla treks and golden monkey trekking (both the standard and the longer habituation experience) – Mahinga is an excellent general trekking destination.
Flora and Fauna in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is relatively small and much of the original Afro-montane forest has been lost to tree felling and cultivation, but the biodiversity remains high. The park hosts 76 recorded mammal species including the endangered mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys.
Mgahinga’s habituation gorilla family - Nyakagezi is known for moving between Uganda and Rwanda. The golden monkeys are a distinctive species found only in the Virungas which a population between 3,000 and 4,000, with about 60 being habituated to human contact in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The park’s avifauna is less diverse, with a current species list of 115 birds including several localised forest species and 12 Albertine Rift endemics. Birds in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include the Ibis, Pin-tailed Whydah, Speckled Mousebird, Stone Chat, Grey-capped Warbler, Wax Bills, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Firefinch, White-naped Raven, Black Kite, Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Coucal, Paradise Fly-catcher, Rwenzori Batis, Double-collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Nightjar among others.
Uganda Safari Activities to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the highlight activity of a Mgahinga Safari, the park hosts one habituated gorilla family – Nyakagezi. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga departs in the morning at about 9 am and the length of the trek before you make contact with the gorilla depends on the location of the gorilla family. You are allowed spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas observing them play, feed and groom, all while keeping a distance of 7 meters.
When an hour elapses, you return to the park headquarters to pick your gorilla trekking certificates and return to your lodge where you will spend the rest of the day reminiscing about the day’s encounter.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s only habituated gorilla family – Nyakagezi group has five silverbacks, two adult females and three young gorillas. between 2004 and 2012, after being attacked by a lone silverback, the family spent most of the time on the Rwanda side of the border. However, since 2012, they have been a regular presence on the Ugandan side. In the event they move again after purchasing your gorilla permit, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has committed to moving the treks to Bwindi or refunding the money.
Just like in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga can be tough and challenging. You need to be physically and mentally prepared and adequately dressed.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is ranked as the best place to see the rare golden monkeys in Africa, the golden monkeys are large, inquisitive and mischievous old world monkeys living in the bamboo zone of the Virunga Volcanoes. They are a bright orange – gold body, cheeks and tail, with black limbs, crown and tail-end.
On a gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga, you trek a habituated gorilla group which is used to humans and while in their presence, you will watch them continue their foraging and playful interactions without pause.
The golden monkeys are found above 2,500 meters, and the trek can be challenging, but not as tough as gorilla trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers standard golden monkey trekking as well as golden monkey habituation experience.
Guided Volcano Treks
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is dotted with beautiful Virunga Volcanoes offering thrilling volcano climbing experiences. The treks depart daily at 7:30 and all last from 7 to 9 hours depending on the fitness and interest of the trekkers.
The shortest route is the 1,100 metre climb from the park gate to Gahinga’s peak. The route to Sabyiyo’s peak involves a 1,300-metre climb on an 8-hour round route. Climbers should note that the final approach to the summit uses a ladder climb up the three consecutive rock faces.
The greatest climb is to the 4,127m summit of Muhabura Peak. Hikers should lookout for symptoms of high altitude sickness following an ascent of 1,793m from the trailhead. No rock faces are involved, but the trek doesn’t take grit and determination as you trudge across Afro-montane moorland.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is approximately 14km on rough roads from the town of Kisoro, the main entry point to Southern Uganda. The park is also accessed from Kampala – the capital city of Uganda by road and air.
By road the park can be reached on a journey of 8-9 hours and by air, there are domestic/charter flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip and connect to the park by road.
When to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Due Mgahinga Gorilla National Park as well as Uganda’s location near the equator and the increasingly variable climate, you should always expect rain when visiting Uganda with the heaviest rainfall normally occurring from mid-March to the end of May and then again at the end of September through to November.
While the rains in March to May are often short, those in September to November are more often characterised by hours of soft drizzle.
Mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be tracked at any time of year, but it does become harder when the trails are muddy and water is running down soaking you through. So the most popular times to track mountain gorillas is the drier months of June to mid-September and December, January and February.
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
There is a range of accommodation options in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park ranging from budget, midrange to luxury, these include
- Mgahinga Gorilla Lodge
- Lake Mutanda Lodge
- Chameleon Hill Lodge
- Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge
