Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga is one of the two Uganda parks that houses the endangered mountain gorillas the other one is bwindi impenetrable national park; the park is located in the south western part of Uganda near the border to DR. Congo. It covers the northern slopes of the three northern most Virunga Volcanoes. Including Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m) hiking these mountains is so interesting.

The park is located in Kisoro district about 10km south of kisoro passing through Kabale, south-western Uganda. It’s a drive of about 9-10 hours from the capital city Kampala. Gorilla tracking is the major safari activity done in the park over 100 mountain gorillas are inhabited in the park. The park also houses golden monkeys and many other primate species, birds and plant species.

Activities carried out at the park

Mountain gorilla tracking.

Meanwhile the park has one gorilla family called Nyakagezi which is ready to receive visitors on a daily basis. Gorilla trekking begins with a small briefing from the park wardens who will brief you about the dos and dont’s.  While with the gorillas and also get you assigned to the ranger guide and gorilla family. The tracking is not as easy as many can think, since it invoves passing through the steep slopes and sometimes muddy forest, so a reasonable degree of fitness is needed.The trek is unpredictable it can go from 1-8 hours and once the group is met you are strictly allowed only one hour with the gorillas. take as many photos and videos with them, its such a memorable moment to come face to face these our closet relatives who shares almost 97% of human DNA makeup.

Golden monkey tracking

Is another superb activity carried out in the park, these apes are fabulous fun to watch when jumping from one bamboo tree to another. You are advised to come with first shoot camera since they are not like gorillas which can be found on ground.

 Other activities

• Gahinga hiking, its challenging but interesting activity, hiking up to the top is regarded as breathing opportunity one should not love to miss
• Birding watching
• Batwa Trail experience to meet the batwa pygmy who were formally occupants of the forest before they were evacuated from the forest for conservation purpose. They will entertain through their cultural music and dance; take you through their hunting and farming skills, basket making skills, among many others.
• Visit Caves

Accommodation options at the park

• Volcanoes Mount Mgahinga Lodge
• Kisoro Tourist Hotel
• Mountain gorilla safari Hostel
• Bird Nest at Lake Bunyonyi
• Sawa Sawa Guest House
• Bunyonyi overland Resort/Resort

The park is safe to drive on self-drive even if you hire a 4×4 car you can reach well the road leading to the park are not as such bad condition, however while on the road you must be very careful. Take a self-dive safari and track the endangered mountain gorillas in this part of Uganda.