Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s second home to the most endangered the habituated mountain Gorillas sheltering the Nyakagezi Gorillas group. The park covers 33.9 sq. km of land and is located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district. The park was established in 1991 and has since received visitors from all over the world in large numbers.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the Virunga Mountain and contains Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo inactive volcanoes mountains. The place receives over 250mm of rainfall during the wet season which is normally between February and May and September to December. This park boasts a flourishing bamboo forest and a large montane forest with all kinds of tree species. The fauna in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park includes the Mountain Gorillas, Golden monkeys, birds, butterflies, and chameleon. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority
WHAT TO DO AT MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
Mgahinga is one of Uganda’s smallest but yet one of the most scenic parks in the pearl of Africa. the park lies near Kisoro town which borders Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A number of tour activities take place in this area and particularly in the park and here are some of the major activities travelers engage in at Mgahinga National park.
• Gorilla tracking
Mgahinga Gorilla National park shelters one habituated mountain Gorilla group known as Nyakagezi. This group of Gorillas was unstable at the start of the habituation process and even after being opened for tracking as they crossed the borders and back to Mgahinga. The family later settled in Mgahinga due to the abundance of vegetation for food. The trekkers may take from 30 minutes up to half a day following the gorillas since they keep moving in the forest. Trekking to see gorillas in Mgahinga is a unique experience as you hike to the high Virunga ranges to meet these giant apes in their natural habitat. Visitors are required to book Gorilla tracking permits early enough through a trusted local travel agency to ensure the availability of the permits. Tracking permits are at $700, $600, and 250,000 Uganda Shillings per person for nonresidents, foreign residents, and East African residents respectively.
• Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden monkeys are a special type of Monkeys only found in the Virunga ranges of Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga National parks in the whole world. This shy species of monkeys can be tracked in Mgahinga at $100 per person after booking at Uganda Wildlife Authority or even at the park headquarters in the Kisoro district. The Golden monkeys get their name from the golden fur around their body that makes them so unique from the rest. These humble apes feed on bamboo shoots, roots, and seasonal fruits just like the mountain Gorillas. They live in large groups of about 30 to 80 feeding together every day. The tracking experience is more/less like the Gorilla experience but these are a bit easier to find than the Gorillas that move many miles away.
• Batwa Cultural excursion
The Batwa are sometimes referred to as ‘forest people’ because of their originality. They lived in the forest before they were evicted to turn Mgahinga into a National Park. The cultural trail of the Batwa will take you through their transformation from the forest and how they are adapting to the new human life of the other Ugandans. You will visit the Gamara cave one of their most treasured cultural heritage that used to hide from any invasion from the other groups of people. You will also learn about how they used herbs for medicine to treat particular diseases and actually some are still used even today. The Batwa were hunter-gatherers and some of their hunting skills are shared during the visit to their places. They will also demonstrate how they used to make fire without a lighter but just their sticks.
• Mountain Hiking
The scenic views of the beautiful backdrop of Mgahinga Gorilla National and the entire surrounding area. The three volcanoes Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga give an outstanding travel experience as you watch the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda from the mountain top. Muhabura mountain is the highest giving you the best views of the other Virunga mountains Sabyinyo and Gahinga. You will learn about the secret behind the naming of these mountains and their meaning; Muhavura is locally translated to mean ‘guide’, Sabyinyo meaning ‘Old man’s teeth’ and Gahinga meaning ‘pile of stones’. All you need for this trip is Hiking boots, a walking stick, sunglasses, Binoculars, Camera, hat, and the fitness to maneuver through the high mountain trails.
• Birding
Mgahinga has over 180 bird species recorded in the area, some of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Birding in Mgahinga National park is sometimes not just about the birds, you may have a chance to watch the golden monkeys and the Gorillas during your birding journey. Profound birders will notice a number of unique bird species in this park and these include but not limited to the following; stripe-breasted tit, Brown woodland warbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Black-headed waxbill, Cape Robin-chat, Olive Pigeon, Malachite Sunbird, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Western Green Tinkerbird, Greater Double Collared Sunbird and the Rwenzori Baits among others.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK
Mgahinga can be visited all year round but the best time to visit this Park is in the peak season when the forest trails are dry and easy to pass through. The Peak season is normally between the months of Jun to September and December to March in summer with less/no rains to disturb. Visitors who are not comfortable meeting so many other visitors in the protected areas are encouraged to travel in the low season in order to enjoy their trip. The wet season is also another good season to visit the park as it gives a unique experience hiking through the muddy trails. You can be assured to continue with your activities even when it rains because the sun soon comes up to dry the ground for you.
Conclusively, therefore, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is your best place to visit. African Apes Tours is your best guide to explore the gem in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park