Top things to do & see around Kisoro

Top things to do & see around Kisoro – Gorilla tracking safaris to Mgahinga gorilla National Park

Top things to do & see around Kisoro – Located in south-western part of Uganda, Kisoro district is an exceptional travel destination as far as tourism in the Pearl of Africa is concerned. Made of green rolling hills and sceneries, Kisoro is undeniably a hidden gem that every traveller should discover and enjoy on his/her Uganda safari. Kisoro district is roughly 9-10 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe International Airport. This gives you the best pre Gorilla tracking experience, which makes your experience more fun. Also, the numerous stopovers along the way and lunch stops give you an added chance to meet and interact with Uganda locals making you feel like part of the community. Stop at the Uganda Equator line for photographs and enjoy the beautiful sceneries of Ankole plains and farms. If you are doing Kigali to Uganda Gorilla safari flying into Kigali Rwanda, Kisoro is the nearest Uganda destination from Rwanda. The drive time from Kigali to Kisoro is roughly 3 hours through the Cyanika border. A day tour to Kisoro offers you a lifetime experience with unparalleled value.

Mountain Gorillas

Trekked in the jungle forest of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mountain Gorillas are a key tourist attraction in Kisoro district. It is definitely that over 60% of travellers to Kisoro go for Gorilla tracking to have a close encounter with Nyakagyezi habituated Gorilla family, the one and only Gorilla family in Mgahinga forest. In October 2019, the Mgahinga forest was blessed to receive a Hirwa Gorilla family, which migrated from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda which I turn walked back. Currently, there is one Gorilla family in the Mgahinga forest hence 8 Gorilla permits available every day. A single Gorilla permit in Mgahinga National Park costs USD700 for foreign non-residents, USD700 for foreign residents and UGX250, 000 for East African residents. All Gorilla permits are bought from Uganda Wildlife Authority and can be booked directly or through Great Adventure Safaris your ultimate Uganda safari company.

Lake Mutanda

A boat cruise the calm waters of Lake Mutanda is a must-do for every traveller to Kisoro district. The 60.5-meter deep and 26 square kilometres lake is one of the four lakes in Kisoro district along with Lake Mulehe, Lake Kayumbu, and Lake Chahafi. Lake Mutanda comprises 22 islands each of which is unique in its way and worth exploring. A cruise to Winner’s beach Mutanda offers you a fresh feeling of the natural undisturbed natural beauty with less or no crowds unlike the beaches of Entebbe. For birders, the shore of Lake Mutanda is home to numerous bird species and some small animals, which feed on fish.

Golden Monkeys

Besides Mountain Gorillas, Mgahinga Gorilla Park is also home to the endangered golden monkeys hence the best spot for golden monkey trekking in Uganda. Over 500 Golden monkeys call Mgahinga hence the best spot for golden monkey trekking. Interestingly, a permit to trek golden monkeys costs $100 which is undeniably affordable compared to mountain gorillas. Like gorilla permits, all golden money permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Echuya Forest

Located along the way to and from Kisoro district, Echuya forest is a wonder in south-western Uganda. The montane forest is home to over 105 bird species 12 of which are endemic to this region, 53 butterflies, 20 species of mammals and 43 moths among others. Echuya forest is believed to have been a permanent settlement area for Batwa pygmies who were evicted from the forest in the 1990s to promote forest conservation.

Cave Exploration

Top things to do & see in Kisoro – Kosoro district has numerous natural caves, which include Ngarama cave, Mwambike cave and Ruhenju cave among others. These caves were initially used as hiding places for Batwa pygmies. Local guides will guide you into these caves with the help of a torch for light. Also, remember to wear gumboots to deal with the muddy grounds inside these caves.

Churchill View Point

Endeavour to visit Churchill Viewpoint at Kanaaba hill in Echuya roughly 7 kilometres from Kisoro district. The strategic location of Churchill’s viewpoint at the top of Kanaaba hill offers you specular views of Kigezi hills, local communities, twin lakes of Kayumba and Chahafi, Lake Gihondo, Lake Bulera, Echuya Forest, Lake Mutanda and the Virunga volcanoes in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. It’s at this point that Church hill Winston declared Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa”. The temperature at Churchill’s viewpoint is 360 degrees turn on a clear day.

Virunga volcanoes

For more adventurous experience, hike to the summit of any Virunga Volcano in Kisoro district a home to three extinct Virunga volcanoes namely, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo all located in Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Related to these is a Caldera walk and Sabyinyo gorge walk which all offers you a relaxing memorable adventure.
In conclusion, Kisoro district is Uganda’s treasure with lots to see and do within the shortest time possible. Contact Great Adventure Safaris today and book a Uganda Safari to Kisoro district and discover this hidden gem. Time allowing you can also visit other places in Uganda including Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee tracking and other National Parks for wildlife safaris and boat excursions. Contact Great Adventure Safaris to book top things to do & see in Kisoro Uganda with gorilla tracking safaris to Mgahinga gorilla National Park,