Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, within the Virunga Mountains. Gazetted as a national park in 1991.It covers an area of 33.9 square kilometres and its 482 kms from Kampala.
Visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can enjoy a variety of activities, including: Gorilla tracking, Golden monkey tracking, Volcano hiking and Birdwatching.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which spans across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is home to around 30 mountain gorillas split between one habituated and two unhabituated groups.
Its is the only park in Uganda where silver meets gold. The park’s altitudes range from 2,227 meters to 4,127 meters.
Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Golden monkey-tracking.
Golden monkey tracking is an amazing activity. Visitors arrive at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and check in at the Ntebeko Visitor Center. At 7:45 AM, a park ranger conducts a briefing session in the way that visitors learn about the rules, safety guidelines, and what to expect during the trek.
Actual tracking time starts at 8:30 AM where by visitors are led by experienced guides and rangers who know the golden monkeys’ habitat well.
The trek involves hiking through the bamboo forests and higher slopes where golden monkeys are usually found. Durations do vary, but it typically takes about 4 hours.
Once the golden monkeys are located, you’ll have one hour to observe and take photos.
After the hour is up, you’ll trek back to the starting point, usually arriving by 1:00 PM.
Gorilla tracking.
Similar to golden monkey tracking, visitors arrive at the Ntebeko Visitor Center and the briefing for gorilla tracking starts at 7:45 am.Tourists receive detailed instructions and safety guidelines. Gorilla tracking begins at 8:30am.
Tourists are always accompanied by experienced guides and trackers who know the gorillas’ movements.The trek can take from 3 to 8 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located. You will hike through dense forest and possibly steep terrain.
Once you find the gorillas, you’ll spend one hour observing them and taking photos. Besides golden monkey and gorilla tracking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers several other exciting activities;
Volcano Hiking
During volcano hiking one is able to climb the three inactive volcanoes – Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo. Each hike offers stunning views and a challenging adventure.
Batwa Trail Experience
The Batwa trail experience offers the visitors with rich knowledge regarding the Batwa people, the original forest inhabitants and their traditional way of life through a guided forest walk.
Batwa Trail Experience
Bird Watching
Explore the park’s diverse flora and fauna on guided nature walks and spot various bird species, including some unique to the Albertine Rift.
Cultural Visits
Tourists Visit local communities especially the Batwa people in order to learn about their culture, traditions and daily life.
Permits.
The gorilla permit costs $ 800 for foreign non resident, $700 foreign residents and 300,000 Ugx East African citizen.
Volcano climbing costs 5000 Ugx for East African resident. Golden monkey tracking cost $60 for foreign non resident, $50 for foreign resident and 50,000 Ugx For East African citizen.
Golden monkey habituation cost $100 for foreign non resident,$80 for foreign resident and 100,000 Ugx for East African citizen.The permits always change and its good to always check with UWA or a book with a reputable tour company.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 482 km from Kampala however there are several ways to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
By Air
Take a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Kisoro Airport, which is about an hour’s drive from the park. Airlines like Aerolink Uganda and Eagle Air operate flights to Kisoro.
Book a chartered flight directly to Kisoro then drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
By Road
The drive from Kampala to the park takes about 8-10 hours. The route goes through towns like Masaka, Mbarara,Ntungamo and Kabale.
If you’re already in Queen Elizabeth National Park, it’s a 6-hour drive to Mgahinga. The drive from Lake Mburo National Park takes about 5-7 hours.
Public Transport
Take a bus from Kampala or Kabale to Kisoro. This is a more economical option, though it may take longer.
By Car
Hire a car or join a guided tour that includes transportation to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park . A 4WD vehicle is recommended due to the rough road conditions, especially during the rainy season.
Accommodation
Mgahinga gorilla national park offers a variety of accommodation according to the visitors budget and preference.
Lodges and Hotels
Mount Gahinga Lodge. It is a luxury lodge with beautiful views of the Virunga Volcanoes It offers traditional bandas with en suite luxury shower rooms, fireplaces and private porches.
Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro. Located near the park, this hotel offers comfortable rooms with beautiful views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Mucha Hotel Kisoro. A mid-range hotel with great amenities, located on the shores of the Mucha River.
And the budget Options could include;
Mgahinga Community Campground. This Offers self-contained bandas at the Ntebeko visitor center. It’s a budget-friendly option for those who enjoy camping.
Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp. Located close to the park entrance, this camp offers a unique experience with views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Nearby Accommodation.
Kisoro Town. Just 14 kilometers from the park, Kisoro offers a range of accommodations from basic campsites to luxurious full-board hotels.Some options include Kisoro Travelers Rest, Sky Blue Mount Gahinga Rest Camp and Virunga Hotel.
