Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Park of the larger ecosystem “Virunga Conservation Area”, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds at an altitude between 2227m and 4127m. It was established mainly to provide habitat to the rare species of Mountain Gorillas.
Besides Gorillas, this Park is home to the Golden monkeys primates. The Park’s most striking features are the three extinct volcanoes that are part of the incredible Virunga range. This range lie along the border region of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.
Aside from Gorillas and Golden monkey primates, there are other mammal species including Elephants, Bush bucks and bird species. Some of the common bird species in Mgahinga are; Rwenzori turaco, yellow-billed kite, grey crowned crane and horn-bills.
On top of being prominent for Wildlife, this park holds a huge cultural significance. On a visit, you can have grand cultural encounters with the Batwa pygmies.
Mgahinga National Park is also home to three of the eight Virunga volcanoes including Mount Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Mount Muhabura. All these three volcanoes can be hiked in one or two days basing from the Park surbubs.
Getting to the Park
This Park can be easily accessed via a route that passes through kabale and kisolo, this 434km journey from Kampala to kabale can be completed in about 8-9 hours on a good tarmac road.
It is then a further 76km to Kisoro town on a mountainous tarmac road with steep ascents and descents. An alternative route leaves the main road at kabale and follows the shoreline of the scenic lake Bunyonyi to rejoin the Kabale – Kisoro main road at its halfway-point at Muko.
Ntebeko the main entrance to Mgahinga National Park is 14km from kisoro town at the end of a dirt road. Mgahinga can also be reached by air for does who are sick about long distance drives. Daily private charters are arranged from Entebbe airport to Kisoro airfield.
Activities in the Park
- Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is every ones dream, it grants travelers the opportunity to meet face to face with the rarely seen species of Mountain Gorillas.
Usually before the trekking journey, a briefing is first conducted to highlight tourists about the Dos and Don’ts while in the Jungle with the Gorillas. Always each Gorilla family is allowed to be visited by one group that consists of eight individuals.
Time taken and distance moved in the Jungle usually depends on where these apes spent their last night – After discovering their location, you are allowed to be in their presence for only one hour.
It is not free of charge, therefore to be part of it, you must buy a permit which costs $600 USD per person usually booked in advance.
- Birding
If its listing best bird watching hotspots in Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can’t miss. It is recorded with a range of different bird species. The best way to observe these species is to be part of 3-4 hour Gorge trail between Gahinga and Sabyinyo.
Some of the common species to expect include Cape Robin-chat, Kivu-ground Thrush, Olive Thrush, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Black-headed Waxbill, Streaky Seedeater, Dusky turtle Dove and more.
Along Uganda – Congo border you can sight species like Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Banded Prinia, Doherty’s Bush-shrike and more.
- Cultural encounter
The Mgahinga Forests were a home to the Batwa tribes who depended on forests for food ,Medicine and Shelter.
After establishing the park, these Batwa people were denied from the forest and ordered to vacate the areas occupied by the Park.
Some were only allowed to re-enter the forest as tour guides on the Batwa Trail. While on this trail, visitors discover the magic of the Batwa’s ancient home while enjoying nature walks and learning about the cultural norms.
These Batwa people as well demonstrate hunting techniques, gather honey, point out medicinal plants and how to make bamboo cups.
Tourists are invited to the sacred Garama Cave, once a refuge for the Batwa. From this place, women of the community perform a song which echoes around the depths of the dark-cave, and leave visitors with a moving sense of this fading culture.
- Hiking and nature walks
A hike through the forest to the deep Sabinyo Gorge in the flank of Mount Sabinyo awards great birding sights including the unique Rwenzori Turaco.
It takes 4 hours winding through the Rugezi Swamp, a paradise for bird watchers, most of the bird species are sighted here.
An alternative walk heading to the Congo border passes different vegetation zones. Hikers can admire the scenic views of calderas on top of the Gisozi hill, Kisoro and Bunagana towns and Lake Mutanda.
- Mountain climbing
All the three volcanoes in Mgahinga (Mount Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo) can be hiked. Of the three, Muhabura is the highest peak at 4127m.
Once at the top of these volcanoes, you will not stop taking in breathtaking views of stretching Bwindi forest, Rwenzori Mountain peaks and Lake Edward. For Gahinga it takes about six hours to hike up to the top and Sabyinyo takes about eight hours.
How to get a Gorilla permit
Its very secure when you book for your Gorilla permit with a Tour operator than booking it your self because you may incur extra costs most especially when you book for a gorilla family which is very far from your hotel of residence. There fore you can book with us and a gorilla permit costs up to $600 per visitor.
