Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Mgahinga Gorilla national park is the smallest national park located in the southwestern region of Uganda in the Kisoro district. The national park spans over a radius of 33.7 square kilometers and was gazetted as a national park in 1991. It is well known for its mountain gorillas and golden monkey species. In addition to this, the national park is home to about 390 bird species; with over 184 recorded in the park. Among some of the commonly sighted bird species in the park include; the Ibis, Pin-tailed Whydah, Wax bills, Yellow-vented Bulbul and the Rwenzori Batis among others.

Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

For tourists visiting the national park, there are a couple of interesting activities that you can do along with friends and family. Here are some of the interesting activities offered by Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda;

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga national park.

Aside from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking in Uganda is also done in Mgahinga Gorilla national park. The park has two habituated mountain gorilla groups which are Nyakagezi and Hirwa gorilla groups. The Hirwa gorilla family just recently migrated from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Tourists visiting the park can also track this group and the revenue collected from visitors trekking this gorilla groups, is equally shared between the countries of Rwanda and Uganda.

Gorilla trekking activities in the park begin from the visitor center at Ntebeko at exactly 8am every day. Visitors are advised to be at the park by 7am for a short briefing from the head ranger at the park.

A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga national park cost USD 700 dollars per person for foreign non-residents, USD 600 dollars for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 shillings for East African Citizens.

Trekking gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla national park is not as difficult as compared to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. Gorilla trekking activities in the park take place in groups of a maximum of 8 members, and tracking can last between 2-5 hours. Once visitors have located a gorilla group, they are given only an hour to spend with the gorillas. Make sure that your camera is ready because you do not want to miss this moment.

Golden Monkey Trekking:

Golden monkey trekking in Uganda is only conducted in Mgahinga Gorilla national park. There is an estimated 3000-4000 individuals in the Virunga Massif of which 42-60 are found in Mgahinga national park. A golden monkey trekking permit costs USD 60 dollars for both foreign residents and non- residents alike.

Volcano Climbing:

Volcano climbing in Mgahinga gorilla national park is among one of the unique activities offered by the park. There are three volcano mountains in the park which visitors can climb, and these are; Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura. Climbing each of these mountains will take climbers an entire day.

Visitors climbing Mount Gahinga will take about 6 hours to ascend and descend the mountain, which stands at an altitude of 3,474 meters. Climbers have the chance to sight wonderful attractions such as bamboo forests, the caldera, golden monkeys and giant lobelia.

Alternatively, visitors can opt to climb Mount Muhabura which stands at an altitude of 4,127 meters. Climbers will take a 12km round trip up and back down the mountain, which will take approximately 8 hours. While at the summit of this mountain, climbers will be able to have clear views of Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Virunga Volcanoes, and peaks of Rwenzori Mountain.

Visitors interested in climbing Mount Sabyinyo will have to physically and mentally prepare for the eight hours climb. The mountain stands at an altitude of 3,669 meters above sea level, and a round trip ascending and descending the mountain covers a total journey of 14km.

Volcano climbing in the park cost USD 80 dollars per person. The climbing fees include park entry fees and visitors who wish to hire the services of a porter will have to pay an extra fee.

Hiking and Guided Nature Walks in Mgahinga National Park.

Hiking and guided nature walks in Mgahinga Gorilla national park offer visitors an opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery and wildlife in the park. Hiking activities and nature walks always begin at the park’s headquarters in Ntebeko. Hiking activities involve visitors walking around the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes. While hiking, visitors have the opportunity to spot amazing attractions in the park like forest birds, the Rugezi Swamp, bamboo forests and the surrounding lakes such as Lake Mutanda. Hiking and day nature walks in the park cost USD 30 dollars per person for foreign non-residents and USD 15 dollars for foreign residents.

Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Birding in Mgahinga gorilla national park is ideal for bird lovers. There are over 390 bird species in the park and visitors can sight these birds during a bird watching activity. Birding activities in Mgahinga offer visitors an opportunity to sight birds like; the Olive Thrush, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, and the Blue headed Sunbird among others. Birding activities in the park cost USD 30 dollars.

Cultural Encounters/ Community Tours in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Cultural encounters or community tours in Mgahinga gorilla national park offer visitors a unique and memorable experience. Visitors on community cultural tours in Mgahinga national park have the chance to interact with the local and indigenous tribes like the Batwa who reside near the park. During such cultural encounters, visitors get to learn a lot about the culture, history and daily lifestyles of the local people. Also, visitors are entertained by performances from the locals and told folk stories.

Visitors who wish to go on a cultural encounter in the park will have to embark on the Batwa Trail. Visitors get to visit the Batwa people, who are also known as pygmies. The Batwa have inhabited the forests in the park for centuries, and are well known hunters, gatherers and fierce warriors. Most of these people were evicted from the national park when it was first established. Despite this, they are still hired as local guides, taking visitors through guided nature walks in the dense forests of the park.

Where to Stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Accommodation within and outside Mgahinga gorilla national park include; Amajambere Iwacu Camp and Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Bird nest Bunyonyi Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Countryside Guesthouse, and Mountain Gorilla Safari Hotel to mention but a few.

Best time to visit the National Park.

Mgahinga national park in Uganda can be visited at any time of the year; although the best for tourists to visit the park is during the dry season which is between June to October and mid-December to February.

How to Access the National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be accessed by means of road and air transport. The national park is located about 15 kilometers south of Kisoro town, and about 55 kilometers west of Kabale district. Visitors can also access the park from Kampala city, which is located approximately 494km using the Kabale- Mbarara road. Visitors travelling from Kampala will have to drive for about 8½ hours to reach the national park.

Alternatively, visitors can charter domestic flights by Aerolink Aviation from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield in Kampala to Kisoro airstrip which is about a 15min drive to the park.