Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established in 1991 and it features among Uganda most exceptional National Parks that you should consider visiting during your next visit to Uganda the Pearl of Africa. The National Park covers an area of about 33.7 square kilometers and it is the smallest protected area in Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with its dense forest is a home of the endangered Mountain Gorillas, the rare Golden monkeys, Bird species and many more.
With an estimate of about 80 rare Mountain Gorillas this Park has only one habituated group and ready for visitors to track. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies at an altitude of about 2.227m and 4.127m, south western Uganda. Besides that, the National Park also features three of the eight Virunga Mountain ranges which are Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura). These Virunga volcanoes stretch up to the Virunga Volcano range of the East Central Africa, Albertine rift in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Uganda border.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with its thick vegetation is a reason why the its one of the most rainfall catchment destinations in the country with several crater lakes on the Mount Muhabura and swamp crater on the Mount Gahinga summit as well as amazing swamps that lie within the three volcanoes. The National Park also neighbors the Batwa people (pygmies) the famous forest dwellers who are believed to have stayed in the forests for over 500.000 years and left without any effect.
With its mountain gorillas, the National Park can be accessed by road from Kampala, Kabale, Kisoro highway and you will spend about 8 to 10 hours’ drive. You can also fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and then land into Kisoro Airstrip and connect to your booked lodge / hotel or to the National Park by road, less than an hour drive depending on where you are booked for accommodation.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be also accessed through Kigali Rwanda with a four hour driving instead of 10 hours from Kampala, some visitors fly to Kigali International Airport and cross to Mgahinga National Park through Cyanika boarder and this is approximately 4 hour drive. This route has become very popular since the price of Rwanda Gorilla Permits doubled to USD1500 per person per trek. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park now receives many guests especially for short trips like 2 Days Gorilla Safari through Rwanda-Kigali.
Gorilla trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park rewards visitors with lifetime travel experiences in with their Mountain Gorilla Tracking Experience. Mountain Gorilla adventures in this natural forest attract about 75% of the travelers from across the World mainly to track these rare apes while in their natural habitat. In Uganda, Mgahinga National Park is the second Gorilla destination after Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park that you can pay a visit to track the endangered Mountain Gorillas. For those interested in visiting this National Park for Gorilla tracking, you will track the Nyakagezi Habituated Gorilla family the only one ready for visitors in this Park.
Guided Nature Walks and Volcano climbing
Hiking adventures and guided nature walks at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers you a chance to hike through the thick forest to the Sabyinyo gorge that also features as the best site for birding safaris and interestingly, visitors can catch a glimpse at the Rwenzori Turaco. The hikes through this National Park take about 4 hours through the Rugezi the popular spot for birding. The hikes also allow you to explore the transcending vegetation zones along the Congo borders where you will glace several calderas. Other incredible wildlife species for you to spot out include the rare Golden monkeys at the Bamboo jungle.
Cultural encounter
After your Mountain Gorilla experience, never miss out to pay a visit to one of the cultural communities adjacent at the National Park and interact with the Batwa people (pygmies). This Batwa trail that takes you through cultural exploration with the Batwa people the famous forest dwellers, hunters and gatherers to explore more about their ancient lifestyle and your presence in the cave is such an incredible moment that you will never wish to leave but rather opt for yet another return to the destination.