Beneath the shadows of the Virunga massif, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park rises to affirm its presence as a predominant destination. As many marvel at and crowd the other destinations in the Virunga Conservation Area, Mgahinga remains private and corporate. Often seen as the polite giant, usually second by many.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a modest destination and popular for its inhabitants, the mountain gorillas. These are undoubtedly the most sought-after primate species and one of the most endangered. As Mgahinga crawls into its position, it mounts another surprise to this primate text, the golden monkeys.
These elegant golden fur and a touch of charcoal black primates are a walking, actually jumping work of art. The golden monkeys scale Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to the top as a golden destination. From the brushes of the misty dense Afromontane and tropical rainforests to the winding savannah, Uganda emerges as the only place for a complete African adventure.
With such unique findings that yearn for discovery, Mgahinga lives true to its words as a place “where gold meets silver”. Because, just imagine soft by loud hummers in the steep climbing welcoming the agile cheers from the bamboo plantations, I know right! It’s worth a discovery.
Brief insight into Mgahinga
In the periphery of Uganda’s southwestern border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the tripoint, Mgahinga lies secretly. The park’s extension into these countries is not just historic but geographically trying. Just imagine at one point, standing in three countries all at once just by hiking a mountain, it’s unbelievable, right?
Statistics don’t lie, and Mgahinga is indeed the smallest national park by land mass area in the country. However, this marvel of nature in the Pearl of Africa is not short of adventures, regardless of its size. This is short to say what it lacks in size, it makes up for in adventure. This national park comes in at only 33.7 square kilometers, stretching through the Kisoro district.
Mgahinga stuns the skyline by continuing the natural Virunga stretch of volcanic mountains that starts from the neighboring Congo in Virunga National Park. 3 volcanic mountains of the total 8 that make up this massif are found in Mgahinga. Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura mountains are the volcanic mountains in this park.
Tapping a bit of the park’s history, it was first a game drive in the 1930s during the reign of the British colonialists. This also extended unevenly to the 1950s, still under the same administration. However, in 1991, Mgahinga gained national park status after the sighting of mountain gorillas. This even led to the park being named Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
What does Mgahinga really offer? Attractions
As a top contender as a fashionable destination in the misty, chilly forests of Virunga highlands, Mgahinga proves to be a one-stop center for ultimate adventure. And here is why it is regarded so.
Mountain gorillas
What is Mgahinga without mountain gorillas? I mean, that’s why it was named a gorilla national park in the first place. Mountain gorillas top the list as the major tourist attraction in the park. From the time of their discovery in the park until now, mountain gorillas have continued to increase the number of visitors in the park. And this increase is just with a single habituated mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi. This park accounts for over 100 mountain gorillas.
Golden monkeys
Second to the mountain gorillas in attractions are the golden monkeys. These agile, elegant, and adorable primates are only found here in Mgahinga and not anywhere else in the country. Golden monkeys are incredible primates that add excitement to the adventure with their playful nature. The park has a couple of them, numbering about 400-1,000 individuals.
Birds
Mgahinga is a bird’s natural haven, with about 180 bird species flying in this park’s airspace. A variety of bird species, from the common endemic residents to the visiting migratory birds, can be notably spotted here. Some include Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, Kivu ground thrust, black kite, white-necked raven, speckled mousebird, Rwenzori nightjar, handsome francolin, dusky crimsonwing, and Olive woodpecker, and regal sunbird, among others.
Cultural tours
The cultural tours of Mgahinga are all about the existence of the Batwa pygmies. These people stay in the neighbouring communities to the park. The Batwa were once occupants of this park, way before it was established. During this cultural experience, visitors can discover the unique ways of life of these people, and learn their survival skills like fire-making and hunting.
What to do in Mgahinga? Activities
There is a lot to do in Mgahinga, as the park is immersed in beauty. The activities go well with the mentioned attractions, and with such significant attractions, well, the activities are uniquely important. The following are some of these activities.
Gorilla trekking
This is obviously the major activity in Mgahinga. The gorilla trekking experience tasks visitors to venture into the dense forest canopies of Mgahinga, looking for the mountain gorillas. This activity lasts for a few hours upon finding the primates. Then, visitors receive an hour to spend in the presence of the mountain gorillas. This is really an unbelievable adventure that even amazes the strong-hearted. Only 8 visitors are allowed to trek a single gorilla family per day.
Golden monkey tracking
The lower slopes of the park harbor bamboo plantations that are favourites for the golden monkeys. Golden monkey tracking is a gem as visitors explore the park to encounter these primates. With the help of a trail of bamboo leftovers, visitors can have an incredible time spending an hour with the monkeys.
Birding
The positioning of Mgahinga as a modest birding destination makes it a gem for birders. The designated trails run across the highly populated birding shelters. The ecological systems in the park favour this activity by attracting numerous birds. From highlands to lowlands, the visitors have a wider scope for birding.
Batwa trail experience
The Batwa trail experience is a cultural encounter experience that brings out the Batwa culture to light. The Batwa, from their time in the forests of the park, coexisting with the wild, acquired several survival skills. It is during this trail experience that visitors can have an intimate time to witness and learn such skills. This is on top of listening to their ancient stories of the wild.
What is the best time to visit?
Leaving all other factors constant, the dry season stands as the best time to visit Mgahinga. This does not eliminate the fact that this park is open year-round for discovery and exploration. The dry season, experienced from June to August and December to February, casts appealing conditions for outdoor activities like gorilla trekking and golden trekking, among others.
The wet season of March, April, May, October, and November can also be a visiting time for the park. As timing is key, the wet season brings better birding opportunities with the coming of the migratory birds for breeding in this season.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Accessing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is very easy since it presents two transportation options road and air. The park is blessed to have the airstrip of Kisoro close to the park, making it easy for those traveling by air.
The meandering Kabale-Kisoro highway around the Kigezi hills offers the option of traveling by road. Although this option is the longest, taking over 9-10 hours of straight driving, it is very adventurous with incredible scenic views.
With such options of transport in place, accessing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for exploration makes it very easy. Be it those connecting for Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo, the park can be explored.