Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) lies within the vast Virunga Conservation Area, a region that also encompasses Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Congo’s Virunga National Park. This is the smallest of all the 10 parks Uganda is known for, and it is most visited for numerous reasons but particularly, mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. 

Location, altitude, & size of the park 

Mgahinga is lying on the extreme Southwestern side of Uganda, Kisoro district. It upgraded from being a Game Reserve to a full National Park in 1991. Unlike most African parks in Uganda, Mgahinga National Park occupies only 33.7sq.km and derives its name from ‘Gahinga’ the local word meaning piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmlands. 

Mgahinga is set an altitude of 2227 to 4127m, and its landscape is characterized by woodlands, savannas, montane forest, bogs, marshes or swamps, semi-alpine vegetation and tropical forests. There are 3 prominent inactive volcanoes found within Mgahinga National Park; Mount Muhabura (4127m), Sabyinyo (3669m) and Gahinga (3474m). These make up part of the extensive Virunga Volcano ranges, these volcanoes together with the dense forest cover feature among the main influencers of climatic conditions in and around this protected area.

MGNP features as an important water catchment area, with many streams flowing from Crater on the Virunga Volcano summits downslopes to the rivers and lakes. The main rivers fed by the stream flow include Nyabirerema, Ntebeko and Kabiranyuma.

The main tourist attractions in Mgahinga NP

Wildlife/fauna 

More than 76 species of mammals exist within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) and these live harmoniously with numerous avifauna species. The park’s diverse faunal species include vervet monkeys, patas monkeys, elephants, forest hogs, golden cats, buffaloes, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, bush babies, blue monkeys, African porcupines, geckos, snakes, chameleons, mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, serval cats, leopards, black and white colobus monkeys, etc. 

Birds 

A total of 180 species of birds call Mgahinga National Park home and include Albertine rift endemic species. These include the white-starred robins, grey-capped warblers, double-collared sunbird, hadada ibis, speckled mouse bird, malachite sunbird, yellow-billed kite, olive woodpeckers, fire finch stonechat, blue-breasted bee-eater, streaky seed eaters, dusky crimson wings, cape robin chat, Chubb’s cisticolas, handsome francolins, white-necked raven, western tinker bird, moorland chat, Kivu ground thrush, 

Blue-headed coucal, black collared apalis, Rwenzori turacos, bronze sunbird, African paradise flycatchers, black-headed waxbills, purple-breasted sunbird, archer’s robin chat, grey crowned hornbills, Rwenzori batis, brown crowned tchagra and more. 

Tribes around the park

Adjacent to Mgahinga National Park, there are Batwa, Bakiga and Bafumbira communities. These mainly practice subsistence farming along the volcano slopes using terracing. 

Major safari activities to do in Mgahinga 

The various activities that are offered at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) are done starting from Ntebeko area. The main safari experiences to enjoy while in Mgahinga include mountain hiking/climbing, gorilla trekking, cultural experience, nature walks, and birding. 

Gorilla trekking 

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done mainly in the 2 parks that is Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. At Mgahinga, there is only one family to be visited for tracking which is Nyakagezi group family. This group is composed of over 80 members and trekking begins from Ntebeko area with briefing from the park official about the guidelines for gorilla trekking.

The actual trekking begins at 8:00am and the park guide will be available to lead a group of 8 guests on a search for Nyakagezi gorilla family. The length of the trek varies between 2 and 6 hours which is inclusive of an hour of up close and personal with the lead of an experience park guide from Mgahinga National Park. A single gorilla permit for Mgahinga is issued at USD 700 per visitor which can be booked together with the entire gorilla tour via your reliable tour operator. 

Golden monkey tracking 

Golden monkeys, a sub-species of blue monkeys survive within the Albertine rift and Virunga region. These apes occupy the part of Mgahinga National Park, Virunga of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Unlike other primates like gorillas, golden monkeys are jumpy and it isn’t capturing them stationed in one area. They roam around the bamboo forest area and permits are available at USD 100 for golden monkey habituation.

Volcano climbing 

Mgahinga lies within the Virunga region, an area with Virunga Massifs. What is interesting is that all the 3 volcanoes are open for hiking and include Gahinga (3474m), Muhabura 4127m and Sabyinyo 3669m. Gahinga Volcano is amazingly the simplest volcano to trek through taking only 6 (six) hours. What is required of you is good hiking boots and should be waterproof, a pack of snacks, bottled water, a rain jacket, and others.

Birding 

More than 180 species of birds make Mgahinga one of the greatest birding destinations. On a birding excursion, the numerous birds to look out for include Shelley’s Dusky crimson wing, White napped raven, white-starred robin, Double-collared sunbird, crowned hornbill, stray seed-eaters, Yellow-vented bulbul, cinnamon bracken warblers, olive woodpeckers, brown crowned tchagra, malachite sunbird, olive thrush, Southern red bishop, 

Streaky seed-eaters, stone chat, speckled mouse birds, crowned cranes, cape robin chat, Grauer’s swamp warblers, olive pigeon, regal sunbird, Rwenzori nightjar, handsome francolins, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s robin chat, paradise fly catchers, Chubb’s cisticolas, black kite, alpine chat, dusky turtle dove, scarlet-tufted sunbird, fire finch stonechat, mountain masked apalis, Kivu ground thrush and more. 

The most preferred time to explore several of Mgahinga National Park birds is around April, May, October and November. It is during these months when most migratory birds from Europe confine into the park and majority of the resident avifaunal species can also be spotted breeding.

Nature walks 

A guided nature walk through Mgahinga National Park involves navigating through the beautiful forests, montane slopes and along rivers, swamps and lakes. Conquering some of the trails in Mgahinga allows you come across several bird species, and the most useful path worth exploring is the border trail along Mount Sabyinyo. This trail requires up to 5 hours for you to have a round trip.

The Batwa trail experience 

Mgahinga is surrounded by the Bakiga, Bafumbira and Batwa. The Batwa trail experience is the most memorable of all and takes you through the unique lifestyles, traditions, cultures and practices of the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa pygmies are original hunters and fruit gatherers, the forest inhabitants of Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. While at Mgahinga, there is also a chance to explore the ancient Garama caves.

When to visit 

The dry months are with no doubt the most ideal for gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking and volcano climbing. That is from June, July, August, September, December, January to February while March/April to May, October-November are most preferred for bird watching. 

Accommodation 

Here is the list of accommodation facilities to consider for a night stay in Mgahinga NP; Mount Gahinga Lodge, Lake Chahafi Resort, Ntebeko River Camp, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, Travelers Rest Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp and more.

Getting to the park from Kampala/Kigali 

By road: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is accessible starting from Kampala or Entebbe and this is about 8-9 hours’ drive. You drive on Mbarara-Masaka-Kabale-Kisoro route, approximately 509km. From Kigali, drive through Chanika/Katuna border for only 4-5 hours’ drive to Mgahinga NP. 

By air; flights offer the quickest option of getting to Mgahinga NP. The flights set off from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi airfield and land at Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip.