Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of only four destinations in the world where seeing the endangered mountain gorillas is possible and is one of the two gorilla destinations in Uganda. The park is the smallest national park in Uganda at a size of 33.7 square kilometers, tucked high in the Virunga Mountains. The park is home to wonders, from the endangered mountain gorillas to the elusive golden monkeys, which is why it is called a place “Where Gold Meets Silver.” Beyond the rich biodiversity, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park carries a deep cultural significance; it was once home to the Batwa Pygmies—the forest’s original inhabitants.
The park stretches along three extinct volcanoes that shape its landscape, creating breathtaking scenery and thrilling hiking. Visiting here combines adventure, wildlife and history to create an extraordinary wilderness experience. The Virunga Volcano peaks in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park form part of the Virunga Massif with an altitude range from 2,227m to 4,127m above sea level. Temperatures in the park vary depending on altitude, but it averages 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 9 degrees during the night at the lower slopes. For every 1,000 metres increase in altitude, the temperature drops 6 degrees Celsius.
Wildlife of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has 76 recorded mammal species, and the most charismatic of these are the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. There is one habituated family of mountain gorillas in Mgahinga, but it is known for being mobile. It tends to move between Uganda and Rwanda. The golden monkeys, a playful and distinctive species found only in the Virunga mountains at elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 meters, have about 60 individuals that are habituated to human contact in Mgahinga.
Other notable wildlife species in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include black and white colobus monkeys, leopards, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, black-fronted duikers, and buffaloes.
Birdlife in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park hosts 115 recorded bird species; these include he Ibis, Pin-tailed Whydah, Speckled Mousebird, Stone Chat, Grey-capped Warbler, waxbills, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Firefinch, White-naped Raven, Black Kite, Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Coucal, Paradise flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Double-collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Nightjar.
These bird species include localized forest specialists and 12 Albertine Rift Endemics.
Activities to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Golden Monkey Tracking and Habituation
The beautiful golden monkeys are large, inquisitive and mischievous old-world monkeys found in the bamboo zone of the Virunga Volcano. They have a bright orange-gold body, cheeks, and tail with black limbs, a crown, and a tail end.
Golden monkeys range through the bamboo forests looking for fruits and bamboo shoots, which they feed on. Now used to human visitors, these beautiful primates continue their foraging and playful interactions without pause.
From above 2,500 meters, the trek is challenging but not normally as tough as gorilla trekking. Two golden monkey experiences are offered in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: the standard trek with one hour of contact and a golden monkey habituation trek where you spend much longer in the jungle with a team of researchers and scientists.
Gorilla Trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second gorilla trekking destination in Uganda and its treks follow the same model as in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The treks leave at 9 a.m. and the time it takes to reach a gorilla family depends on where they are.
In the course of an hour, you get to watch the gorillas feed, play, and go on with their lives in the forest. During your contact with mountain gorillas, you will keep a 7-meter distance from them. You pick up your gorilla trekking certificates at the park headquarters after the allotted hour has passed.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one habituated gorilla family—Nyakagezi—with five silverbacks, two adult females and three young babies. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, like in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, can be tough and challenging, so you need to be physically and mentally prepared and dressed appropriately. With proper gear and following the gorilla trekking rules and regulations, you will enjoy one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in the world.
Guided Treks
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a wonderful destination for nature walks; the park has a number of guided trekking trails that take you up the mountains. Depending on the trekkers’ fitness and interest, the treks depart at about 7:30 and last between 7 to 9 hours.
The shortest route is the 1,100 metre climb from the park’s gate to Gahinga Peak; the route to Sabyinyo’s peak involves a 1,300 metre climb on an 8-hour round trip. Note that the final approach to the summit uses a ladder climb up three consecutive rock faces. Climbing to the summit of Muhabura Peak at 4,127m is the greatest climb in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. On this hike, climbers should look out for symptoms of high altitude sickness following an ascent of 1,793m from the trailhead. No rock faces are involved, but the trek does take grit and determination as you hike across Afro-montane moorland.
Best Time to Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be visited at any time of the year; however, the dry months of June to September and December to February are the best for trekking mountain gorillas. Little rain falls during these months, resulting in dry trails that facilitate easier walking. In the rainy months (March–May, November), the paths become muddy and slippery, but there are few visitors, and lodges may offer lower prices.
The rainy season is also great for bird watching since migratory birds arrive during this time.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
You can access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park through both road and air transport. From Kampala—the capital of Uganda—it is a drive of approximately 8–9 hours, and from Kisoro, it is a distance of 14 km to the entry point of the park.
Domestic flights are available from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip, then connect to the park by road.
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park ranges from budget to midrange to luxury and these include
- Chameleon Hill Lodge
- Travelers’ rest hotel
- Mgahinga Gorilla Rest Camp
- Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Mucha Hotel Kisoro
- Traveler’s Nest Hotel
- Virunga Hotel
- Mutanda Lake Resort, among others.
