Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest national park in Uganda covering an area 33.7 square kilometers, this park is located in south western corner of Uganda in Kisoro district and lies at the altitude range of 2227m – 4127m above sea level. Mgahinga national park adjoins with volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Virunga national park of Democratic republic of Congo and these 3 parks form the Virunga conservation area.
Mgahinga national park encompasses 3 of 8 Virunga volcanoes that are Mount Muhabura translated as guide standing at the altitude of 4,127 meters and it is the highest volcano in the park, mount Gahinga translated as piles of rock at the altitude of 3,474 meters and mount Sabyinyo translated as old man’s teeth at the altitude of 3,669 meters. Mgahinga national park derives its name from Gahinga a local slag meaning piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmlands in the park’s conical peaks, generally Mgahinga national park is dominated by six vegetation types that are, Afromontane, tree heathers, montane forest, bamboo, montane woodland, and former farmland
Mgahinga national park is the second habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda coming second to Bwindi impenetrable national park and the 4th in the world, mountain gorillas are the main attraction in the park facilitating mountain gorilla trekking safari. There are many wild mountain gorillas in Mgahinga national and only one habituated mountain gorilla family in the names of Nyakagezi, Nyakagezi gorilla group is under the leadership of silverback Bugingo who is a 50 years old silverback.
Mgahinga national park is also a home to other 76 mammal species such as golden monkeys, bush pigs, South African porcupines, forest buffaloes, bushbucks, forest Elephants, golden cats and many more. Mgahinga national park is also a home to over 180 bird species with some Albertine Rift Endemic species and montane species, these birds include Kivu Ground Thrush, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, White Starred Robin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, and Black headed waxbill, Western Green Tinker bird, Cape Robin. More species include; White-starred Robin, Brown Woodland Warbler, Striped breasted Tit, Malachite, Scarlet-tufted, Greater Double collard Sunbirds and many more.
Safari activities to do in Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national Park is a habitat to the world’s endangered mountain gorillas which are encountered on mountain gorilla trekking experience, mountain gorilla trekking starts as early as 8:00am with briefing and the whole experience takes about 2-4 hours depending on the movement of mountain gorillas and the terrain. A group of 8 people and trekkers aged 15 years and a above are allowed to participate in this adventurous activity, this experience offers 1 hour in the presence of mountain and in this hour trekkers will enjoy watching the gorillas picking fruits, leaves and take pictures as long as your flash light is off as it irritates the gorillas.
Volcano Hiking
Mgahinga national park is an excellent site for Volcano hiking experiences, the park encompasses 3 volcanoes lieing in the Virunga volcanoes chain that are mount Muhavura which is the highest of them and its peak can be seen from Kisoro town, mount Sabyinyo and mount Gahinga. Volcano hiking in Mgahinga national park is done on 3 trails that are Gahinga trail of 6 hours to reach the summit and back on Mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo trail of 14 kilometers on mount Sabyinyo and Muhavura trail of 12 kilometers on Mount Muhavura. Volcanic hiking in Mgahinga national park offers scenic views of the park and various forest creatures such as birds and bush pigs, South African porcupines, forest buffaloes, bushbucks, forest Elephants, golden cats and many more.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden monkeys are another endangered primate species living in Mgahinga national park and are they are encountered on golden monkey tracking experience, golden monkeys are beautiful fast and small sized primates living in bamboo trees. Golden monkey tracking offers a 4 hours’ visit in the presence of these monkeys to ant of the habituated family consisting of 6 golden monkeys per group. While in the presence of golden monkeys you will enjoy watching these creatures playing on bamboo branches and take amazing picture, golden monkey tracking takes you through the thick forests and you have a chance to spot many birds and beautiful flowering plants.
Birding
Mgahinga national park offers Excellent birding session to birds, while on birding in the park look out for over 180 bird species including Albertine Rift Endemic species and other bird species such as Dusky Turtle Dove, Cape Robin-chat, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Black-headed Waxbill and Streaky Seedeater, Handsome Francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, White Starred Robin, Greater Double collard Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Shelly’s Dusky Crimson wing, Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, and Black headed waxbill, Western Green Tinker bird, Malachite Sunbird, Cape Robin, White-starred Robin, Brown Woodland Warbler, Striped breasted Tit, Malachite and Scarlet-tufted Sunbirds and many more.
Batwa Trail Experience
Batwa trail experience is a cultural tour offering an encounter with the Batwa pygmy people, the Batwa are hunters gatherers and were the early inhabitants of Mgahinga forests before gazetting it as a national park. The gazetting of the park resulted into displacement of the Batwa to the borders of the park were they currently live and visited on Batwa trail experience, this experience takes you through the Batwa history, visit Garama cave a sacred site were the history of the Batwa starts from and it was used as a hideout during the invading of the Batwa by the bantu. On this experience you are also entertained by Batwa local dances and songs and get a chance to interact with the community elders.
How to get to Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national park is situated in south western Uganda in Kisoro district in a distance of about 482 kilometers and about 9-10 hours’ drive, from Kampala Mgahinga national park is accessed using road and air means of transports.
By road, Mgahinga national park is accessed using Kampala -kibale, Kisoro road via Mbarara.
By air, domestic chartered flights are organized by aero link from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip.
Where to stay in Mgahinga national park
Accommodation in Mgahinga national park is got from a number of lodges dedicated to offers a place to stay and other amenities to tourists on a visit to the park, these include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Mutanda Island Lodge and Community Campground. Away from the park, accommodation is also got from Kisoro which is in a distance of 14 kilometers from the park, in Kisoro town accommodation is got from Kisoro Traveler’s Rest, Sky Blue, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Virunga Hotel, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, Rugigana Campsite, Mubano Hotel, Mucha Hotel, Muhabura Motel, Montana Guest House, 3 Way Gorilla Resort, Landmark Guest House, Kisoro Tourist Hotel and Kisoro Travelers Lodge
