Located in South-Western Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda and one of the most visited for gorilla trekking coming next to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Many visitors come to admire the vast, unique and stunning attractions and activities within this national park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was officially established in 1991 after the area had been a gazetted game reserve since the 1940’s. In preparation for park establishment, Batwa communities that were settling within that area were relocated to places where the national park boundaries could not stretch, the area was then set to reach national park standards.
Uniqueness of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area which stretches from Rwanda to Democratic Republic of Congo with two national parks from either country bordering with Mgahinga including Virunga National Park in Congo which borders to the West and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda which borders to the South.
There are 3 Virunga Volcanoes that share borders with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, including Mt. Sabyinyo, Mt. Muhabura and Mt. Gahinga. While here, without too much stretching you can have a unique overview of the entire area from the park’s view point which is only a few minutes walkable distance from the entrance at Ntebeko which makes the park a great location for nature photography.
Biodiversity of the park is incomparable. The Albertine Rift Montane forests together with bamboo forest all create a safe habitat of different park inhabitants, mainly the golden monkeys.
The park experiences two rainy seasons in a year i.e., between February and May as well as September to December which creates a montane climate and temperature favorable to the primate inhabitants.
Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and outrightly make a choice to be in the face of one of the most unique attractions you couldn’t find anywhere else in the world, such as;
Mountain Gorillas
With Mountain Gorillas being some of the world’s most endangered species, they can only be found in three countries all over the world. Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the other national park other than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that was gazetted as habitat for mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are actually the main reason why the park was created. Much as there are other types of gorillas such as cross river gorillas, Eastern Lowland gorillas and western gorillas, these are the most visited and rarest species of gorillas in the world.
Golden Monkeys
Also referred to as Ceropithecus Kandti, golden monkeys are a rare and ancient monkey breed that can only be traced to the Virunga Conservation Area which makes them endangered and not so common.
These golden monkeys unlike mountain gorillas that habitat in the mountain slopes, inhabit the bamboo plantations.
Virunga Volcanoes
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park occupies the northern slopes of three dormant volcanoes which include Mount Sabyinyo which has three peaks and borders three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo; Mount Gahinga which borders Rwanda and Uganda and from which Mgahinga national park got its name and then Mount. Muhabura which hosts a small lake at its peak.
Garama Cave.
The cave has a length stretching to 342 meters within the park. It is believed to have been used by the indigenous occupants “Batwa” an indigenous tribe, as their meeting place. This cave is located only 3 km away from the park’s headquarters.
ACTIVITIES IN MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the most famous activity and main pulling factor for people to visit the park. The experience is clearly incomparable with the park having one habituated gorilla family known as “Nyakagezi” that can be visited by tourists. Gorillas are close to humans and therefore can leave in the presence of humans but with such time restricted to only one hour. Tourists always move with tour guides who provide all the information about the life of mountain gorillas as they track down these gorillas.
Golden Monkey Trekking
This is a fun filled activity whose experience no one needs to miss out. Golden Monkeys define their own day which makes them unpredictable, this is why the activity is exciting as it gives tourists a chance to explore the monkey jungle in a bid to track down these golden monkeys. Golden monkey trekking is conducted throughout the year regardless of weather conditions in the park.
Mountain Hiking
With the park covering northern slopes of three Virunga volcanoes, it creates a scenic view that is so tempting for anyone interested in hiking any of these volcanoes. If you’re planning a hiking trip, obviously you could consider Mgahinga as it’s not just a hike but plenty of other tourist attractions during the adventure. All the volcanoes are available for hiking, it depends on your choice, ability and time.
Birding
With the montane forest that cover the park, various birds find safe haven within making birding an ideal activity in Mgahinga national park. The park has various bird species but among notable ones include the Black kite, Speckled Mousebird, Cape robin-chat, Blue-headed coucal, among others.
How to get there?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in South Western Part of Uganda which is at least between 9 to 10 hours road drive from the Ugandan Capital City Kampala.
You may also consider getting through Rwanda which is at least 6 hours’ drive from the Capital City Kigali. Aside from transport on road, air transport is also available with charter flights that can be arranged from Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip.
The park has only one entrance – “Ntebeko gate” and can be accessed from the different directions straight form Kisoro Town.
From Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, it is approximately 45km to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park taking 2.5 hours’ drive from the lodge to this park.
When to visit?
You can visit the park throughout the year; therefore, it depends on your convenience. Aside from that, you could make a determination according to the weather conditions since the park experiences two rainy seasons between March to May and September to November.
Dry months are usually June to October and December to February hence most tourists visiting for gorilla trekking tend to travel during this season. The time you visit also depends on your budget as lodges become expensive during the dry season since many tourists visit the park during this time.