Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also known as the place “Where Gold Meets Silver.” The nickname of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is derived from the fact that the park is home to mountain gorillas (silverbacks) and golden monkeys. Located in the southwestern part of Uganda in the district of Kisoro, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda’s prime safari destinations.
The park covers an area of approximately 33.7 square kilometers stretching to the borders of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is small in size but never in experience. If you are looking for the best place for a gorilla trekking safari or a golden monkey tour in Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one the places to be for such amazing tours.
About the park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was declared a game sanctuary by the British administration in 1930. Later on, in 1991 Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gained the status of a National Park. The park was initially inhabited by the Batwa people who were staunch hunters and fruit gatherers. Do not miss an amazing Batwa community tour on your Uganda Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The park is an extension of the great Virunga Conservation Area which covers Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The conservation Area is a hub for primates such as mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and white colobus monkeys. The Virunga Conservation Area comprises other parks namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was named after the Mount Gahinga Volcano. The Volcano is one of the 8 volcanoes found in the Virunga massif. Other mountains include; Mount Karisimbi, Mount Muhabura, Mount Mikeno, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Nyiragongo, and Mount Bisoke. Mount Nyiragongo is famous for being the most active volcano in Africa with the most recent eruption taking place in 2021. A trip to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park will give scenic views of these neighboring volcanoes on your Uganda hiking adventure and Uganda hiking tours.
What to see and do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Below are some of the top things to see and do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The top tourist attractions and activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mountain Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a famous destination in Africa for Mountain gorilla trekking safaris. Other places for doing this activity include; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), and Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). It is easy to do a combined Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo gorilla trekking safari that will take you through Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and all the above gorilla trekking parks in East Africa.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one habituated mountain gorilla family named Nyakagezi. The Nyakagezi gorilla family is fond of crossing to Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park. Taking on a gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gives you a chance to follow this gorilla family and study their behaviors. There are other 26 habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
On your Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you will have a delicious breakfast at a lodge in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and report to the park headquarters at about 8:00 am. You will be given the gorilla trekking rules and regulations before starting your walk into the forests. You will then be led by professional guides who know where the gorillas spend the night and feed from. Upon encountering the gorilla family, trekkers are given one hour to spend with the gorillas. Make the most of this hour before returning to your lodge for lunch or dinner.
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to over 100 recorded bird species. This makes the park a reliable birding destination for Uganda birding tours. The park has an altitude and water streams that support bird life. The montane forests, swamps, and bamboo forests are prime home to many bird species. Some of the bird species in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are restricted to the area while others are migratory and can be seen in particular seasons.
A birding tour in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can easily be combined with other activities like golden monkey trekking and mountain gorilla trekking. Some of the birds in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include; the Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, Rwenzori batis, dusky turtle dove, and African hill babbler, among many others.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Other than Mountain gorilla trekking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a known destination for golden monkey trekking safaris in Africa. With hundreds of golden monkeys, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a good place to be on your Uganda primate safari.
Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla Park feed on plant leaves, shoots, roots, and fruits. The park has bamboo forests which are the best habitats for these magical apes. Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga starts in the morning at about 8:00 am with a briefing at the park headquarters. Trekkers are led into the forests for one hour to 3 hours in search of these magical primates. Upon meeting the golden monkeys, trekkers are allowed to spend one hour monitoring them. This is a moment turned into a memory on your Uganda golden monkey trekking adventure.
If you need an extended time in the presence of the golden monkeys, you book a golden monkey habituation permit instead of the golden monkey trekking permit. This will allow you to spend 4 hours in the presence of the monkeys instead of 1 hour.
Other activities that are done at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Cycling tours
- Guided nature walks
- Mountain climbing or Mountain hiking
- Batwa Community Trail walk
Accommodation / Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
The park has well-structured lodges and tent camps crafted in an eco-friendly manner. The lodges are in budget, mid-range, and luxury ranges depending on the needs of the travelers. They provide 24/7 internet connectivity to help you keep up with your family and friends while visiting the park.
What is the best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be visited at any time of the year depending on the needs of the travelers. The park is open on weekends and public holidays. However, most activities are easily done during the dry season (June to September and December to February).
How to access the park?
The park can be accessed from Kampala – Uganda or Kigali, Rwanda. From Kampala, you can drive for about 8 hours to the park or fly from Entebbe International Airport to either Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip.
From Kigali – Rwanda, you may transfer by road via the Katuna and Kyanika Border to the park headquarters in about 3 hours.
Now that you are everywhere you want to be in knowing about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, book your Uganda gorilla trekking safari now and create a signature of memories.