Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National park Positioned in the southwestern region, Mgahinga is a national park in Uganda created in 1991 with an aim of protecting different primate species especially the cute and shy golden monkeys and the endangered mountain gorillas. It stretches over an area of approximately 33.9 square kilometers protecting various features including the three inactive volcanoes of Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo.

Facts about Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park lies in Virunga mountains and it is commonly known for hosting a various primate species including the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys which are split between the habituated and unhabituated groups. It is also known for its luxuriant vegetation cover which comprises of the bamboo forests, Albertine rift montane forests, Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands with the tree heath plus the alpine zone which is located at the higher altitude. In these vegetation zones, the park protects over 76 mammal and several primate species including the elephants, leopards, bushbucks, bush pigs, buffalo, black fronted duiker, black and white colobus, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and many others.

Mgahinga gorilla national park is known for hosting over 180 bird species and among these include; Rwenzori double collared sunbird, collared apalis, strange weaver, montane nightjar, red faced woodland warbler, mountain masked apalis, red-throated alethe, handsome spur fowl, dusky crimson-wing and others.

Safari activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park

During your safari to Mgahinga national park, expect to take part in several activities and below is the bucket list of experiences that will make your trip not only adventurous but also memorable;

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking experience is one of the key activities that attract tourists to Mgahinga gorilla national park. The park hosts two habituated gorilla families which are seen during gorilla trekking experience. The activity involves walking and hiking through the rainforests of the park and takes about 2 to 4 hours or depends on the location of the mountain gorillas. When they are allocated, trekkers are allowed to spend about an hour with them as they learn more about their ways of life like feeding, playing, mating and others.

Golden monkey trekking

After gorilla trekking experience, golden monkey tracking is the second activity booked by travelers of Mgahinga gorilla national park. The activity involves trailing through the park rainforests in search of the small and fast primates – golden monkeys and it takes about 4 hours for every session done. Get a great opportunity of viewing and taking pictures of these primates and also those of the mountain gorillas since golden monkey trekking can be done during gorilla trekking experience. Hike through the forests of the park to the habituated families of the golden monkeys which are about 6 in number. Remember to move with some binoculars, hiking boots, gloves and other protective requirements for your safety during the trekking.

Volcano hiking or climbing

Mgahinga gorilla national park encompasses a whole of three volcanoes along the borders of different countries like Rwanda, Democratic republic of Congo and Uganda. The names of these volcanoes have got meanings that are Sabyinyo means Old man’s teeth; Gahinga means Pile of stones and then Muhabura which means a guide. Of the three mountains, Muhabura is the highest and thus a traveler gets a higher advantage of sighting the peaks of other mountains when he or she climbs it. Walk through the different vegetation zone of the park including the mushy vegetation, bamboo forests and others while hiking to the top of these mountains or volcanoes.

Bird watching

Mgahinga gorilla national park records over 180 bird species including the endemic ones from the Albertine rift and the residential birds. Spot the beautiful and colorful bird species especially when having a nature walk through the trails of the park. Among the birds to be seen include the dusky turtle dove, black headed waxbill, kivu ground thrush, greater double collard sunbird, olive pigeon, black headed waxbill, striped breasted tit, malachite and scarlet tufted sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, cape robin chat and others.

Batwa cultural experiences

Batwa people are known as the inhabitants of the park area before it was gazetted as a national park. These people lived in the forests as fruit gatherers and hunters but during your visit to Mgahinga gorilla national park, you will be entertained through their traditional practices like dances, songs, stories, poems and folks. The Batwa people are also encountered on the profits made after tourists visiting the national park.

Best time to visit Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season which is in the months of mid – March to May and then September to November.

The park can also be visited during the rainy season for different experiences though the trails are always muddy and slippery thus making the movement difficult.