Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Gorilla Trekking & Activities Guide

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda is one of the special places in Africa you should not miss. It is located in Kisoro District in the far southwest of Uganda.

The park is known for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. Of the ten national parks in Uganda, Mgahinga is the smallest, covering 33.7 square kilometers.

Mgahinga was declared a national park in 1991 to protect the rare and endangered mountain gorillas, which are found in only four parks in the world.

Mgahinga is unique because it is home to both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, earning it the name “where gold meets silver.”

Location

The park is in Kisoro District, about 8 to 9 hours’ drive from Kampala. It is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which includes Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

History

Before becoming a national park in 1991, Mgahinga was a game reserve from the 1930s to 1950s, with some parts used for farming.

Surveys for the park began in 1989, and settlers in the area were relocated to allow wildlife protection.

Attractions in Mgahinga

• The Three Volcanoes: Mgahinga has three volcanoes: Gahinga (3474m), Sabyinyo (3645m), and Muhabura (4127m). Visitors can hike these volcanoes for a rewarding adventure.
• Vegetation: The park has six types of vegetation, including afro-montane, montane woodland, tree heathers, bamboo, montane forest, and old farmland. Each type supports different wildlife, making the park a rich place for nature lovers.
• Wildlife: Mgahinga is home to around 76 mammal species, including golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, patas monkeys, baboons, buffaloes, bushbucks, forest elephants, golden cats, blue monkeys, spotted hyenas, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
• Bird Species: The park has about 180 bird species, many of which are Albertine Rift endemics. Some birds to look for include the red-necked spurfowl, cinnamon bracken warbler, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, and Rwenzori batis.

Activities in Mgahinga

• Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla trekking is a top activity in Mgahinga, offering visitors a chance to see mountain gorillas in their natural home. The park has one habituated gorilla group, Nyakagezi, which allows up to eight visitors per day. Treks begin at 8:00 am from Ntebeko Gate and last 2 to 6 hours.
• Golden Monkey Tracking: Mgahinga is one of the few places in Africa where you can track golden monkeys. About 40 to 65 golden monkeys have been habituated for visitors to see.
• Bird Watching: The park is excellent for birdwatching, with many species to see, including the Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, and paradise flycatcher.
• Guided Nature Walks: Nature walks offer visitors a chance to explore the park’s different trails, wildlife, plants, and beautiful views of Lake Mutanda and Rugezi Swamp.
• Volcano Hiking: Visitors can hike the three volcanoes in the park. Muhabura takes about 8 hours, Gahinga about 6 hours, and Sabyinyo about 8 hours.
• Batwa Trail Experience: This experience takes you through the Batwa community, offering insight into their culture and history as forest hunters and gatherers before they were moved out of the forest.
• Garama Cave Exploration: Visitors can explore the Garama Caves, located 4 km from Ntebeko Gate. These caves are 200 meters long and were once used by the Batwa for shelter and ceremonies.

Gorilla Permits

A gorilla permit is required for trekking, costing USD 700 for foreign non-residents, USD 600 for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.

Permits can be booked through tour operators or the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Trekking Rules

Visitors must follow rules, including:

• Keep a distance of 7-10 meters from gorillas.
• Do not use flash photography.
• Only visitors aged 15 and above can trek.
• Sick visitors are not allowed to trek.
• Keep voices low.
• Carry a valid permit.

What to Pack

Items to pack include waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, bottled water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, gloves, a camera without flash, a sweater, long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, insect repellent, a first aid kit, your passport, and your gorilla permit.

Best Time to Visit

Mgahinga can be visited any time of the year, but the best time for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking is during the dry months: June to September and December to February.

Bird-watching is best from March to May and October to November.

Accommodation

The park offers a range of accommodation options, including:

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
• Mid-range: Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Mucha Hotel Kisoro.
• Budget: Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp.

How to Get There

• By road: From Kampala via Mbarara to Kisoro (8-9 hours) or from Kigali via Katuna/Chanika border (3-4 hours).
• By air: Flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips, followed by a short drive to the park.

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