Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park is about 33.7 Square kilometers making it the smallest part in the park. It is a home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, various bird species as well as other wildlife. The park takes its name from “Gahinga” the local word for piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the feet of the Volcanic Mountains. The best time to visit the park is during the dry seasons, usually June to September or December to February. However this period is a peak season and requires prior booking of up to 6-12 months in advance.
Location:
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is nestled in the South-Western part of Uganda in Kisoro District. The park is located on the Ugandan slopes of Virunga Mountains-a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The Virunga mountains are a chain of eight volcanic mountains in East Africa shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The drive from Kampala to Kisoro the closest town to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can take up to 9 hours via Kabale. From Kigali, Rwanda it can take up 3.5 hours to the park.
What to do at the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park is endowed with a great variety of wildlife and natural resources. This rewards the park’s guests with a great variety of activities:
1) Mountain Gorilla Trekking:
The park is a home to one habituated mountain gorilla family-Nyakagezi. The trekking can last for about 3 hours or more depending on the location of the mountain gorillas. Other factors affecting this time period can be the weather conditions and pace/physical conditions of the group members. Alongside the mountain gorillas, you’ll also encounter blue monkeys, olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, elephants, warthogs, bush bucks, various bird species and so much more.
2) Golden Monkey Trekking:
This activity is exclusively available in Mgahinga and usually begins at 8:00am. View the playful golden monkeys in their natural habitat. This activity can take up to about 5 hours and 1 hour of viewing the golden monkeys once you spot them. The time period can be affected by the group’s physical fitness or pace, weather conditions or the monkeys’ location. However there is also a special Habituation experience where you can observe the golden monkeys for 4 hours. Tour packages usually combine golden monkey trekking with gorilla trekking, hence the title, “where gold meets silver.”
3) Bird watching:
At Mgahinga, you can view over 180 species of birds. You will encounter the turaco, Kivu ground thrush, dusky turtle dove, Regal sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, olive woodpecker, Alpine swift, Dusky Crimsonwing, crowned hornbill and so forth. A guided birding tour will lead you into the best spots for viewing a wide variety of different bird species.
4) Nature Hikes:
Hike to the summit of Mt. Muhavura from the Ntebeko Visitor Center-the headquarters of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This activity can last up to 8 hours hiking to the summit and back down. The hike will give you panoramic views of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a small crater lake at the peak, other Virunga volcanoes and Lake Bunyonyi.
5) Batwa Cultural Experience:
Explore the indigenous Batwa tribe and enjoy their enthusiastic cultural dance, hunting-gatherer skills and expertise in traditional herbs. The visit gives you an insight into the history, ancient forest life and everyday life of the Batwa-a marginalized group of indigenous people. Proceeds from your visit will be used for the betterment of the Batwa community.
What to Bring during your Visit to the park:
- Sturdy Hiking shoes
- A Camera
- Water bottle
- A Raincoat or Umbrella
- A long sleeved shirt and trousers