Mgahinga Gorilla Park

Mgahinga Gorilla Park is situated in south-western Uganda in Kisoro district. The park gets its name from the word Gahinga which locally means “a pile of volcanic stones”. It was declared a game sanctuary by 1930 by the British was later upgraded into a national park in 1991. It is bordered to the south by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and The Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo borders it from the west.

Mgahinga Gorilla Park

Mgahinga Gorilla Park covers 33.7 km2 and is known to be the smallest national park in Uganda. Also, Mgahinga National Park occupies the three Virunga volcanoes in the north and these include Mount MGahinga which is 3,474 ft above sea-level, Mount Muhavura which is at 4,127 feet and is the highest among the three volcanoes, and Mount Sabinyo at 3,645 ft above sea-level.

Also, the game park is among those included in the 434 sq km larger Virunga conservation area which is found in three countries Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park occupies only 8% of the Virunga Conservation Area. The main reason for putting Virunga Conservation Area in place was to protect the different Gorillas that cross the different international borders in the region. So far, Mgahinga National Park has got only one habituated trans-boundary Gorilla family.

Given the ever-wet climate of the area, the park consists of a sub alpine zone of vegetation which involves a zone of plants below tree line. No trees are found around this particular zone and it is divided into the moorland and the Afro-montane belt zone. In this sub alpine zone, the vegetation consists of mainly ground plants that are adapted to cold extreme weather conditions. Above the Afro-montane belt, is the Bamboo zone and this zone of vegetation covers about 60% of the park and is the favorable habitat for large mammals in the park such as the mountain Gorillas in the lower slopes and the golden monkeys in the higher slopes of the Muhavura mountain. It is a source of dependable food to majority of the herbivores in the park.

Mgahinga National Park is furthermore a home to numerous wildlife species which includes at least 39 mammal species such as the golden monkeys, mountain Gorillas, antelopes, Buffaloes, Leopards, south African porcupines, side stripped jackals, bush bucks, black fronted Duickers and Golden cats. Also, the park harbors over 115 bird species making it another birder’s haven in Uganda. 24 of these bird species are Albertine rift endemics as over 39 other bird species are biome bird species which are usually of the Afro-tropical highlands. Commonly spotted bird species while in the park include; white naked raved, Double collared sunbird, speckled mouse bird, paradise flycatcher, Rwenzori Turaco and the ibis among others

Apart from the different numerous species in the park, Mgahinga National Park is blessed with several other must-see attractions during a visit. These include;

Garama Cave

The 342-meter-long cave is located beneath a plateau in the north of the park exactly 3 km from the Mgahinga National Park headquarters. It is also 14 meters deep. The cave is popularly known for being a former home to the Batwa pygmies who are believed to have lived here for several decades until they were resettled. The Batwa found the Garama Cave too important as it was used as a council chamber and it is where they always retreated to after raiding neighbours. Currently, the cave is occupied by bats. It takes about four hours to reach the entrance of the Garama cave from the park Headquarters so all visitors are encouraged to engage in the free of charge Guided nature walks as it will reward you with spectacular views of the park and its surround, detailed information about the Batwa cultures and activities they carried out at the cave by the guides.

Mount Gahinga

Mount Gahinga is a dormant volcano which is located on Rwanda-Uganda border. It rises up to 3,474 meters above sea-level and lies between Mount Muhavura and Mount Sabinyo. The vegetation found on the mountain is mainly afro-montane and mainly comprised of bamboo which acts as a habitat for the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The mountain also has a 180 m wide swampy caldera on its peak. Furthermore, the park derives its name Mgahinga National Park from mountain Gahinga which locally in Rufumbira means” a pile of stones”. The mountain is also a home to the rare golden monkeys.

Mount Muhavura

The mountain is also popularly known as Mount Muhabura. It is a cone – shaped mountain and offers some of the best views. It is found on the border between Rwanda and Uganda. It is an extinct volcano and is among the eight Virunga Volcano ranges south west of Uganda. The mountain is ranked third highest of the eight Virunga ranges and is found in both Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. The mountain is known for the spectacular views of the other 5 Virunga Volcano ranges and because of its high slopes, the park can be seen from many parts of Uganda and Rwanda. One of the most interesting and rewarding activities on the mountain apart from Gorilla Trekking is Hiking for roughly 5 hours to the top of the mountain to see a small lake on top of the mountain. The trail also exposes visitors to views of other Virunga ranges, the Rwenzori Mountains in case of clear weather, the rift valley and Lake Edward. This Muhavura Trail is about 12 km and takes roughly 8 hours to be finished.

Mount Sabinyo

Mount Sabinyo is found in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Uganda and also acts as a border to the three countries. The park is among the eight Virunga Volcanoes and has three peaks and its summit lies at 3,645 meters. It also lies amongst the combined national parks established to protect mountain Gorillas by the three countries Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo which share a border. Furthermore, the mountain gets its name Sabinyo from a local Kinyarwanda word meaning tooth because its peaks are shaped like teeth in a gum. The slopes of Mount Sabinyo are a home to the giant and endangered Mountain Gorillas. The experience of hiking Mount Sabinyo takes about 8 hours after hiking 14 km and involves first hiking to peak 1, then you have to pass through narrow ridges that overlook spectacular drops into the gorges to reach peak 2, reaching peak 3 is strenuous and rewarding at the same time as you will have reached the summit where the borders of the three countries meet.

Mgahinga National Park is surrounded by majorly two ethnic groups who are found in Kisoro district. These include the Bafumbira who are farmers and cultivate the bases of the different mountains in the park and the Batwa who are believed to be the original dwellers of the mountains in the forests and caves and were recently resettled outside the park. The Batwa pygmies are mainly fruit gatherers and hunters for survival. One is advised to undertake the Batwa experience trail for one of the most satisfying cultural experiences in the park.

Furthermore, the park has very many numerous activities one must get involved in during a visit to Mgahinga National Park and these include;

Gorilla Trekking

This Gorilla trekking activity in Mgahinga National Park which is part of the Virunga mountains is one of the highlights of an African safari as everyone needs this life time experience of their first encounter with the giant Apes. The Gorillas leave their daily routines just to take off time to study the human presence with their soft brown eyes as if seeking a connection with humans. Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated Gorilla family which called Nyakagezi and is comprised of 9 members which include 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females ,2 juveniles and 2 infants. This family is mobile as it can cross to neighbouring Rwanda or Congo. Gorilla trekking in this park is extremely strenuous and takes roughly the whole day. Be keen to notice and learn the ecology and behaviors of the Gorillas as explained by the guides. Trekking starts from Ntebeko at 7:45 and setting off is at 8:30 am and can take 3 to 8 hours or even the whole day. While with the gorillas, avoid waving your arms, keep an 8-meter distance and also do not use your flash as this may scare away the Gorillas.

Golden Monkey Trekking

This is another unique activity that offers a life-time experience to the visitors of Mgahinga National Park. It involves strenuous activities of tracking down the Golden monkeys and spending time with them as they conduct their daily lifestyles. Mgahinga National Park has an estimated population of 2000-3000 golden monkeys and these unique and beautiful primates are listed as endangered species by the World Conservation Union. The Golden Monkey is characterized by a bright-orange body, cheeks and tail with black limbs, tail head and crown and is endemic to the Albertine Rift. Getting involved in this activity requires one to acquire a Golden monkey permit in Uganda which costs $50 for foreign nonresidents, $40 for foreign residents and Shs 20,000 for East African residents. The Golden monkey Trekking starts at 7:30 am by briefing the visitors, the trekking journey begins at 8 am and this takes about 3 hours as the Golden monkeys leave on the lower bases of the mountain. The visitors spend only one hour with the Golden monkeys. Furthermore, the activity does not limit the number of trackers like Gorilla Trekking.

Birding in Mgahinga

The all of Virunga Conservation Area comprises of over 290 species of birds endemic to the Albert Rift. Mgahinga National Park is a home to roughly 79 different species of birds in the different parts of the park such as a walk along the Buffalo wall towards the Democratic Republic of Congo (which is farmland along the northern edge of the park that is guarded by a dry-stone wall that keeps Buffaloes in the park and out of the crops) takes you through a wetland with different birds such as the Whyder, Ibis, and the Speckled mouse bird among others. Also, around the camp ground, several bird species can be spotted such as the Grey capped Warbler, Wax bills and a stone chat among others. Some of the most commonly viewed birds that one should be sure to tick on their checklists include; Kivu ground thrush, Lagden’s Bush shrike, Montane- double collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Doherty’s Bush Shrike, Banded prinia, Crown hornbill, Black kite, Dusky Turtle Dove, Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon chested bee-eater and the Alpine Chat among others. Don’t forget to carry your binoculars and a professional guide for a satisfying birding experience in the park.

Batwa Cultural Trail in Mgahinga

This cultural experience will reveal to you the different lifestyles, food, culture, and tradition of the first dwellers of the mountains and forests. In meeting the Batwa pygmies, you will see the forest in their eyes and lifestyle which includes hunting and gathering fruits. Don’t forget to visit the different caves on this trail such as the Garama Cave. The activity is usually combined with Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park.

Mountain climbing and hiking in Mgahinga National Park.

The park has 3 mountains that are part of the Virunga Volcanoes and these include Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount MUhavura. Therefore, climbing the steep mountains depends on one’s fitness and time but Mgahinga National Park offers some of the best mountain climbing experiences in the region. This activity costs $ 35 for foreign non–residents, $25 for foreign residents, and Shs 10,000 for East Africans. Hiking in the park is very rewarding given the numerous attractions along the hiking trails. The hiking trails include the Gahinga Trail which takes roughly 6 hours climbing the base of Mount Gahinga, the border Trail which climbs the base of Mount Sabinyo till the D.R.C border, the Cave Trail which will you educate more about the Batwa pygmies as you witness their former home like the Garama Cave which is believed to have been an important place for council meetings and a retreat center after attacking neighbors. The Other Trails are Mount Muhavura which is around 12 km and Mount Sabinyo which is 14 km require more than a day to complete due to their very steep nature as one tries to reach their peaks.

What is the best time to visit Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga National Park experiences a mild cold and wet climate due to the very high altitudes of the park making it one of the coldest destinations in the country. Its average temperature range between 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 9 degrees in the evening. The park experiences no dry season so there is always a possibility of rainfall. So, the best times to visit Mgahinga National Park is when there is less rainfall and this is usually from December to February and June to August because the trails are simpler to navigate.

How to get to Mgahinga National Park?

Since Mgahinga National Park is located in Far south-western Uganda, it is 510 km from Kampala the Capital city of Uganda by road. The most common route usually passes through the Kabale and Kisoro districts of southwestern Uganda and it takes roughly 8 to 10 hours to reach the park from Kampala. Furthermore, the park can be accessed by air by arranging charter flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to the Kisoro Airstrip.

Where to stay inside and around Mgahinga National Park?

Given all the different attractions and activities in the park, it also offers exceptional Lodging/ accommodation ranging from budget to high-end luxurious Lodges. Some of the recommendable Lodging facilities around the park include Mount Gahinga Lodge at Ntebeko, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, and Community Campground for budget travelers among others as listed on trip advisor and other platforms. Happy Travels.