MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

At just 33.7km2, Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and to the west by the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park sits on 33.7 square kilometers and is a habitat for the rare mountain gorillas and the endangered golden monkey. Here are the incredible spots to visit as well as what to do while at the park;

 

Areas of interest

 

Mount Gahinga

Mgahinga National Park derives its name from this volcanic mountain “gahinga”. This dormant/extinct volcano lies on the border between Uganda and Rwanda. An ascent of Mount Gahinga climbs from Ntebeko takes around 6 hours.  With spectacular view points of landscapes, Mount Gahinga rewards hikers with stunning views of Virunga ranges and more.

 

Mount Muhavura

This classic volcanic cone is capped by a small lake; a modest reward for a 5 hour trek that rises 1700m to over 41OOm. The word Gahinga comes from the local Rufumbira dialect meaning “a small pile of stones”. Enjoy nature’s wonders as you hike Mount Muhavura towards the summit.

 

Garama Cave

The 342m long Garama Cave lies beneath a plateau on the northern edge of the park, 3km from Ntebeko. It is set in the former farmland zone but in earlier times, the cave forest when it was occupied periodically by Batwa who used it as a council chamber and a retreat. Garama Cave gives tourists a cultural safari experience on a trip to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Measuring a length of over 340 meters, Garama Cave used to be a home for the Batwa people. They used to stay in this cave as their house before being resettled by the government of Uganda. Visit Garama cave, and see culture come to life on a walk through Mgahinga gorilla national park.

 

Lake Mutanda

From the reflections of the green mountains in the crystal water, to the ancient volcanoes towering in the horizon, Lake Mutanda provides a magnificent view from any angle. Lake Mutanda is a popular spot for some after a gorilla trek. Lake Mutanda is a small, freshwater lake in the far southwest of Uganda, close to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is drained by the Rutshuru River, flowing northward to Lake Edward.

Lake Mutanda is a 30-minute drive from the center of Kisoro. With an altitude of 1,800m, it is a great place to hike, and it offers breath-taking views of the Virunga Mountains.

Activities

 

Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla Tracking is the most popular activity that is done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Most travelers to Mgahinga visit the park for mountain gorilla trekking. There is one habituated gorilla family i.e. Nyakagezi Gorilla Family.

 

Golden monkey tracking

Golden monkey tracking is one of the top activities that make this park an interesting place for tourists to visit for a primate safari. It is from these beautiful primates that the park is dubbed “where silver meets gold”. Golden monkey trekking at the park after visitors have tracked gorillas is a good add on for individuals who are interested in exploring a number of primate species in their Uganda safari. While at Mgahinga guests can trek a habituated troop of golden monkeys and enjoy a breathtaking adventure of watching these monkeys swing from one bamboo tree to another. Challenge yourself by engaging in this life changing activity and achieve an excitement of a lifetime. The park is the only location in the pearl of Africa where golden monkeys can be tracked by visitors.

 

Volcano Hiking

Though gorilla trekking is the park’s most popular activity, Mgahinga merits a visit simply to appreciate the scenery. A hike of one of the Virunga volcanoes is an incredible add on to your safari. Mgahinga gorilla national park shelters three extinct volcanoes: Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhavura and Mount Sabyinyo volcanoes which offer visitors exceptional mountain climbing experiences. A choice of hikes allows for all abilities, ranging from the 8 hour return trip to the summit of Mt. Muhavura, to gentle strolls across the lower slopes beneath the magnificent three peak backdrop.

 

Bird Watching

Apart from golden monkey trekking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also an ideal birding destination. Most of the birds can be spotted along the forest trails, the wetlands and around the thick bamboo forest usually with the help of the guide. Some of the bird species include emerald, western green tinker bird, fine banded woodpecker, kivu ground thrush, collared apalis, common bulbul, African green broadbill, and chest-nut throated apalis, among others.

 

Nature walks

A nature walk at Mgahinga gorilla national park through the forest to the deep Sabyinyo gorge provides good birding opportunities and a chance to spot the Rwenzori turaco. The walk takes four hours and usually passes through the Rugezi swamp which is a fantastic spot for bird watchers. Nature walks towards the Congo border transcend different vegetation zones where hikers can cite the calderas on top of Gisozi hill, look out for Kisoro and Bunagana towns as well as the captivating Lake Mutanda. Therefore, going for a nature walk is undeniably a better way to view the national parks’ ecological systems.

 

Cultural encounter

A visit to the batwa community is an exciting way to meet the local people- Batwa who are

Believed to have been the first inhabitants of the forest. This group of people lived in the forest

For a very long time before they were relocated due to the demand to put up a reserve in order

to conserve the mountain gorilla habitat. Visitors learn about the batwa culture which is unique

in nature including hunting, fruit gathering, collecting honey, collecting medicinal herbs, art and

craft, as well as survival activities in the forest. Therefore, visiting these locals and learning how

they build their traditional houses gives you an insight of the ancient way of life and how they

lived harmoniously with wild animals. A cultural tour to the indigenous community is therefore

the best way to complement one’s gorilla trekking safari in Uganda as you learn about African

traditional norms, customs and beliefs.

 

When is the best time to visit

Wondering about the best time to visit Mgahinga? The park experiences two rainy seasons; March-May and September-November. October is the wettest month, with 250mm of rain and July the driest with just 10mm. Most tourists go for gorilla safaris during the dry months of June-October and December to March. It is advisable to book your gorilla passes at least 4 months to the travel period given that there is a high demand for the Mgahinga gorilla passes.

 

How to get there

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in South Western Uganda. The Park is situated about 8-10 hours drive from Kampala, Uganda and about 6 hours drive from Kigali, Rwanda. The park can be accessed using both road and air transport.