Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda, and it is one of the two gorilla trekking national parks in Uganda. Mgahinga is within the Virunga conservation area, bordered by the Volcano National Park in Rwanda and Virunga Park in the Congo.

The park’s altitude ranges from 2227 meters to 4127 meters above sea level.

Mgahinga National Park is a natural gem boasting 76 mammalian species, 115 species of birds, and numerous primates.

Although Mgahinga covers a small area of only 34 kilometers squared, it’s still one of the most beautiful places in Uganda. Mgahinga was ranked as the third most photographed travel destination on Earth. 

The park is made of volcanic mountains, afro-montane forests, bamboo forests, savannah grasslands, alpine zones, and much more.

History of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The Mgahinga Gorilla Park conservation story started in the 1930s when it was first protected as a reserve and later established as a national park in 1991. The main reason for its establishment was to protect mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and their natural habitat.

Major Tourist Attractions at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Attractions found in Mgahinga Gorilla Park can be seen below:

Mountain gorillas

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park highlights mountain gorillas; the major reason tourists go to the park is to trek mountain gorillas. These are endangered species of primates inhabiting the Virunga ranges and Bwindi’s impenetrable forests.

These primates cannot survive in any other place except their natural habitat. Mgahinga National Park gives tourists a rare chance to trek and see mountain gorillas in Uganda.

Virunga Mountains 

The Virunga mountain range is a range of volcanic mountains found in three countries: Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. The volcanoes are 8 in number, of which 2 are still active. These volcanoes are safe havens for endangered mountain gorillas and other wildlife.

While in Mgahinga National Park, tourists can hike the 3 Virunga ranges found in the park these are Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura. The climbing and hiking trails are manageable and reward spectacular views at the top.

Golden monkeys

Just like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys are also a rare species of primates endemic to the Virunga massif conservation area. They are cheaper and easier to trek compared to mountain gorillas.

Birds 

100 species of birds have been documented in Mgahinga National Park; 12 of these species are endemic to the Albertine region.

Some of the examples of birds in Mgahinga include the Kivu ground thrush, regal sunbird, grey-capped warbler, speckled moosebird, double-collar sunbird, and handsome spurfowl, among the rest.

What To Do In Mgahinga Gorilla Park/What Is There To Do In Mgahinga National Park?

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the most sought-after activity in Mgahinga National Park. This starts with booking a gorilla trekking permit 3 months before arrival in Uganda. On the day of gorilla trekking, you are briefed early in the morning by park authorities and allocated to a specific mountain gorilla family.

A group of only eight people is allowed to see one mountain gorilla family per day; once the group finds the family, a period of an hour is given for observation and photography.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga National Park is exciting, just like gorilla trekking; tracking golden monkeys is easier as they live on the lower slopes, and tracking permits are also cheaper. The overall time tracking golden monkeys is between 30 minutes and 3 hours.

Mountain Climbing

Mountain climbing at Mgahinga can be done in Sabinyo Mountain, Muhabura Mountain, and Mount Mgahinga. All these volcanoes can be hiked within a day and don’t require technical experience, but at least some level of fitness.

Bird Watching 

Uganda is a birder’s paradise, with over a thousand species of birds recorded; 100 of these can be seen in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The best time for bird watching is from November to April.

Cultural Encounters

At the time Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established, the Batwa hunter-gatherers had inhabited the forests for thousands of years, coexisting with wildlife and depending on it for shelter and medicine.

The Batwa Pygmy community now lives at the edge of the park; tourists can visit Batwa homesteads and learn how they used to survive in ancient forests.

Best Time to Visit Mgahinga National Park

The best time to go visit Mgahinga National Park will depend on the activity you want to do at the park. 

The best time for gorilla trekking, mountain climbing, hiking, and nature walks is during the dry months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.

The best time for birding safaris is when migratory birds are present in the park, which is from November to April. Cultural tours at Mgahinga can be done at any time of the year.

Where to Stay In Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park accommodation can be seen below:

Budget: Golden Monkey Guest House, countryside guest house, Amajembere Iwachu camp, Mutanda eco-community center, and Bam Rest House.

Mid-range: Buyonyi overland safari lodge, Bunyonyi overland resort, Virunga hotel and campsite, Dian Fossey, and Bunyonyi rock resort.

Luxury lodges in Mgahinga National Park: Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, and Mutanda Lake Resort.

How to Get to Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be accessed by road transport or by air transport. By road, tourists can drive from Kampala city or Kigali city.

Those interested in traveling by air can book standard chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airport to Kisoro Airport.

FAQs about Mgahinga National Park

In Which District Is Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga National Park is situated in the Kisoro district in the southwestern region of Uganda; it is located 10 kilometers from Kisoro town. Mgahinga is bordered by Virunga National Park in the Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

What Is There To Do At Mgahinga National Park?

There are a lot of tourist activities in Mgahinga National Park, most of which are done by tourists, including gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, mountain climbing, bird watching, hiking, nature walks, and cultural encounters, among others.

Which Tourist Attraction Is Found In Mgahinga National Game Park?

The most sought-after attractions at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Other attractions at Mgahinga are the Virunga volcanoes, birds, and outstanding scenery.

How Much Are Mgahinga National Park Fees?

Mgahinga National Park fees can be seen below:

1. Foreign Nonresidents: $40
2. Foreign Residents: $30
3. Rest of Africa Nationals: $25
4. East African Residents: 20000 Ugandan shillings

How Many Gorillas Are There In Mgahinga? How Many Gorilla Families Are In Mgahinga National Park?

There are over 90 mountain gorillas found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; however, only 2 families have been habituated for tourism purposes.

What Wildlife Is In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?

Out of the 76 mammalian species of wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, they include mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, bushbucks, buffalos, elephants, forest hogs, and so much more.

What is the history of Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was among the first conservation areas in Uganda; it was gazetted in the 1930s as a game reserve. Although it was a protected area, some of the lower areas of the park were still used for farming.

In 1989, the lower altitudes were reclaimed by the park, and by 1990, the Batwa Pygmy inhabitants were evicted. In 1991, the game reserve was upgraded to a national park.

What Does The Name Mgahinga Mean?

The name Mgahinga is derived from one of the Virunga ranges found within the park, which is Mount Gahinga. The name Gahinga is a local word that means a pile of stones.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mgahinga is among the top tourist destinations to visit during Uganda tours. The park was ranked as the 3rd must-photograph destination on Earth.