Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga gorilla National Park is one of the few places on earth where you can do gorilla trekking in the wild. Located in the south westernmost tip of Uganda on the edges of the Virunga ranges in Kisoro district. The main wild animals that attract travelers in Mgahinga are mountain gorillas and golden monkeys which are endangered species. Mgahinga is located in the Virunga area, its dormant volcanoes namely Mt. Muhabura, Mt. Sabinyo and Mt. Gahinga also attract hikers.

The protected area is surrounded by dense population of people that include BaTwa pygmies. Also called forest people, Batwa pygmies were chased out of their original home (forest) to protect gorillas. Batwa pygmies face many challenges such as poverty, diseases and homelessness. However, the Batwa trail was set up as a way of developing community and cultural tourism. this benefits people living around the park and visitors can take village walks to learn Uganda culture.

A place where “gold meets silver”. This park offers primate tracking safaris with gorilla trekking the main activity allowing tourists to spend an hour with Nyakagezi, the only habituated gorilla family in the park. In addition, there are golden monkeys and a lot to do for Uganda safaris including hiking, birding, BaTwa community tours.

History of Mgahinga Gorilla National park

Mgahinga was declared a game sanctuary in 1930 and gazetted as a national park in 1991 mainly to protect and conserve mountain gorillas. The park headquarters are located inside the forest at Ntebeko visitor center which is convenient for accessing attractions and activities in the park.

Covering an area of about 37 km sq, Mgahinga is the smallest park in Uganda located on the southwestern slopes of Virunga volcanoes. The Virunga area is a chain of 8 volcanoes shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo which form the transboundary Virunga Conservation Area (434 sq km).This area also includes volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park eastern Democratic Republic of Congo which share borders with Mgahinga.

As part of the Virunga area, Mgahinga shares three dormant volcanoes with trails allowing hiking to the scenic crater lakes on their summits. Mgahinga volcanoes include Mount Muhabura (4,127 meters), Mount Gahinga 3,474 meters and Mount Sabinyo (3,645 meters). Each of the three is unique in its own way, for example, Muhabura is locally referred to as a guide. Gahinga means a pile of rocks while Sabinyo means old man’s teeth because of its jagged peaks.

Wildlife

Due to high altitude the park contains different types of vegetation including tropical and large bamboo forests which provide habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Though its mainly a habitat for mountain gorillas, the park also has diverse wildlife. These include golden monkeys, more than 170 species of birds as well as large mammals such as forest buffaloes, warthogs, bushbucks and small cats that include African wild cat and jackals. Plants include and sub-alpine giant lobelias and groundsels. The local people around the park include the BaTwa pygmies, the forest people hunter gatherers. BaTwa are minority in this southwest part of Uganda which is largely dominated by the Bafumbira and Bakiga.

Activities and attractions

Ntebeko is the center for travelers to start all the activities and also learn more info at the exhibits showing the Virunga ecosystem. Gorillas are the main attractions with one gorilla family habituated for tourists. Gorilla tracking is the main activity in Mgahinga. In addition to gorillas, you can also track beautiful golden monkeys as well as nature walks, volcano hikes, birding, camping, BaTwa cultural trails

Mountain Gorilla trekking

Mgahinga has one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi with 9 individuals including a silverback. There are 8 permits per day available and as a result most people prefer Bwindi. Butfew travelers who make it to Mgahinga will enjoy trekking gorillas in a few groups of less than 5 people at times. Rangers spend 24/7 monitoring the gorillas ensuring they stay within the park’s borders. It is not that gorillas often cross over to Rwanda or Congo. Visiting Mgahinga motivate rangers to keep their ranger patrols which isthe reasons why you are guaranteed to see gorillas in this park.

Golden monkey tracking

Besides the famous gorillas, there are also golden monkeys which are endemic to the Virunga conservation area. Mgahinga in particular, is home to several stronghold troops of these beautiful primates including two groups that have been habituated, allowing for golden monkey tracking and habituation experience. Observing golden monkeys is another wonderful experience. Golden monkey treks take place in the morning at 07:00am and afternoon at 2 p.m. Unlike gorilla treks, searching for golden monkeys is straight forward hiking to the bamboo forest where these primates live takes about 1 hour and hopefully find them swingingand chopping on bamboo shoots.

Volcanoes Hiking

Mgahinga comprises of three dormant volcanoes and are accessible within a day excursion. Trails leading to their summits takes hikers through lush tropical and bamboo forests which are filled with a variety of birds, plants such as epiphytes, giant lobelias. From the peaks, scenic views stretch across Albertine rift valley and Virunga mountains into DRC and Rwanda.

Mount Gahinga

Mount Gahinga boasts a swamp crater on its summit standing at 3473 meters. The hike to the top is moderate and goes through beautiful bamboo forest where you may spot golden monkeys.

Mount Sabinyo 3,669 meters

Though, it has rugged peaks divided by steep gorges and ravines which locals refer to as an old man’s teeth, mount Sabinyo is the easiest to hike of all Mgahinga’s volcanoes. The hike is gentle and takes 5-6 hours but includes climbing some steep ladders to the summit crater where you can stand in three countries at once.

Mount Muhabura4127 meters

Mount Muhaburais the tallest in the park and hikers will navigate through different zones of vegetation such as bamboo, rare giant lobelias and groundsels to the summit. The hiking trail takes 9-8 hours and it has steep ladders with difficult steep inclines. However, the views from the summit are breathtaking and on a clear day you can see the Rwenzori snowcapped peaks.

BaTwa cultural trail

If you are searching for a traditional cultural life experience, the BaTwa trail is not to be missed. Referred to as forest people, the BaTwa pygmies depended on the forest through hunting, fruit and honey gathering. Sadly, in1991, they were evicted out of forest which led to suffering and loss of their cultural values. However, through community tourism Batwa trail was set up to preserve their unique traditional way of life. So, you can have quality interactions by walking with BaTwa as they demonstrate their forest skills such as hunting, fire making, identifying herbal plants. The highlight of this walk is the rhythm of the BaTwa traditional dance performances and exploring the Garama caves, which were the original seat of their king.

Lake Bunyonyi

Located outside the park about 2-hour drive from Ntebeko, Lake Bunyonyiis a beautiful lake with 19 islands surrounded by rolling hills. Be sure to add this destination to relax and enjoy boat ride, swimming, canoeing and birding.

Where to stay

Accommodation can be found in Kisoro town about 12 km to Ntebeko the park center. Kisoro is the nearest town where you can find a few lodges and hotels. The furthest but good luxury lodges are found on lake Mulehe and Lake Mutanda about 25km to Ntebeko. The dirt road from Kisoro to the park require 4 WD because of volcanic rocks.

Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern Uganda which about 434 km (9-hour drive) from the capital Kampala. From the southern gorilla sectors of Bwindi Rushaga and Nkuringo, Ntebeko is about 44 km and 4-hourdrive from Buhoma.

Use charter flights the quickest way to get to Mgahinga from Entebbe airport and other destinations in Kenya and Tanzania. Aircrafts land at Kisoro airstrip located 30 km away from Mgahinga. From there you drive a vehicle on a tarmac road first. The final 15 km stretch of the road leading to Ntebeko park headquarters is rough and require 4WD car.