Mgahinga National park is found in the south west bordering Rwanda and Congo. It comprises 3 extinct volcanoes and 3 extensive swamps. At 34 square kilometers, it is Uganda’s smallest National Park but most beautiful protecting the Ugandan side of the Virunga Mountains where visitors enjoy breath-taking views of the three extinct conical shaped volcanoes. It is only Mgahinga National park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda that protect habitat for mountain gorilla. The park is about 15 km by road, south of the town of Kisoro and approximately 55km by road west of Kabale.
Even though the park was established to protect the Mountain Gorillas, it has one habituated gorilla group although this group sometimes crosses the border into Rwanda meaning that for tourists much interested in Gorillas, Mgahinga is not a very reliable park to spot for viewing gorillas although there are other mammals, birds and primates for attraction.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park derived its name from Mount Gahinga, an extinct volcano found in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and Uganda. “Gahinga” is a local word in Runyarwanda meaning ‘piles of volcanic stones cleared from a place of cultivation at the foot of the volcanoes’. The park experiences two wet rainy seasons that is; February to May and September to December. The Gahinga has a beautiful swamp at the top, Muhavura has a crater lake and the Sabinyo give you the best and amazing experience ever whereby climbing to its top you see a foot in 3 countries (Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda). There are also great scenic views of vegetation and for that reason it is really a stunning place with the tree volcanoes as earlier mentioned where by hiking to the top of them gives an unforgettable experience one can ever get.
Apart from gorilla reserves, Mgahinga National Park offers a diverse range of activities such as; track golden monkeys (endemic to this park within Uganda); hike to the volcanic peaks; or a cultural experience at the Batwa Trail where visitors will witness a variety of activities intrinsic to the lifestyle of these former forest hunters.
The Park is 600km away from Kampala and you can get there by road or air. On road, it is approximately 10-12 hours’ drive from Kampala to Mgahinga, passed via Kabale to Kisoro. The route is tarmacked, Mountainous and a bit steep. The park can be accessed by air whereby you can make earlier bookings on flights that move from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airfield.
Mgahinga National Park at a Glance
Location: Kisoro
Animals: Mountain Gorillas & Birds
Activities: Gorilla Tracking, Birding, Hiking, Cave Exploration
Entrance: East African Citizens: Ush10,000(Adults), Ush5,000(Children). Foreign Residents in E.Africa US$25(Adults), US$10(children). Foreign non-residents US$35(Adults), US$20(Children). School children in groups Ush2,500(E.Africa Residents) Entrance permit is valid for 24 hours from time of entrance. Tourists going for gorilla trekking do not pay park entrance fees. The fees are included in the gorilla permit price – USD600 for Foreign Tourists, USD450 for Foreign Residents with valid work permits and UShs.300,000 for Nationals.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda covering the northern slopes of the three spectacular Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.
The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Just like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga is well stocked with gorillas, monkeys, chimpazees and over 79 bird species have been registered, these include; whydah, speckled mousebird, fire finch, stonechat, grey capped warbler, waxbills, and yellow-vented Bulbul.
With the above specialities, the park is suitable for Gorilla tracking, hiking the Virunga mountains, and bird watching.
Attractions
The park has about 39 mammals that is The Mountain Gorillas, Buffaloes, Elephants endangered golden monkeys, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, leopards, spotted hyenas, black fronted duikers to mention but a few. On top of this, the park has a variety of bird species of about 79, an activity of watching birds that can be carried out through the bamboo forest.
People
The major ethnic groups of people in Kisoro District are the Bufumbira who occupy most of Kisoro area and are majorly cultivators/farmers. The Batwa (Pygmies) who once lived in caves and fed on wildlife form the minority group in the area.
Though it is very important as it is one of the two parks in Uganda that are habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga gorilla national park is situated in south western Uganda, in Kisoro district. This park was gazetted in 1999 and is part of the Virunga conservation area. This park adjoins Rwanda’s volcano, and the democratic republic of Congo’s Virunga national parks. Mgahinga gorilla national park experiences two wet seasons in the year that is February to May, and September to December. Activities are gorilla tracking, nature walks, Golden monkey trekking, visit the Batwas.
Though gorilla tracking is the park’s most popular activity, Mgahinga merits a visit simply to appreciate the scenery. A choice of hikes allows for all abilities, ranging from the 8 hour return trip to the summit of Mt. Muhabura, to gentle strolls across the lower slopes beneath the magnificent three peak backdrop. The park experiences two rainy seasons; March-May and September-November. October is the wettest month, with 250mm of rain and July the driest with just 10mm.
Activities
The most activity done in this park is Gorilla tracking and there is only one group of Gorillas (Nyakagezi group) as compared to Bwindi. The tracking starts in the morning with well-informed professional guides and Park Rangers to provide information and need services to the trackers. Gorilla tracking starts from Ntebeko where by Permits for tracking in this Park are available at Uganda Wildlife Authority and you are advised to make your booking in advance before the tracking day, each permit costs $600. The activity requires physical fitness since it is a bit tiresome when moving in the forest, steep slops and valleys. More so the length of tracking depends on the location of the Mountain Gorillas simply because they always move in search for food like any other living mammals.
Equipment needed for tracking include; light clothes, water proof cameras, packed lunch, enough drinking water, surgical masks for wearing while in the presence of gorillas. While participating in this activity in the forest, you will hear the sound of birds, monkeys and other mammals.
Hiking and Nature walks, is practiced around the edges of the Mountains and it is a very interesting activity do enjoy. Hikers do it around the wild vegetation, Bamboo Forests, in the Rugezi swamp, which gives them a chance to have beautiful and wonderful scenic views of agricultural areas, surrounding lakes and Forest birds like Rwenzori Turaco.
Tracking Golden monkey as an activity cannot be forgotten because it is amazing to watch them within tree branches. For sure one can never miss out this activity as soon as he enters Mgahinga National park.
Mgahinga is a home to the indigenous group of the Batwa pygmies being the first forest people to live in the forest. They do all their activities in the forest for example hunting and feeding to their families. Tourist can visit their homesteads (Batwa) to see their living habits and characters that is in terms of dressing, eating cultural norms and dances.
Getting There
Kisoro is about 540 km from Kampala a journey of about 8 hours via Kabale by car. For public transport, there are daily buses/minibuses, which set off at 7.00pm from Kampala. Once in Kisoro Town, you can hike to the park if you are strong enough or hire a cab to the park gate.
Where to stay
Knowing where to rest after a tiresome activity of tracking is very important. There are various accommodation facilities ranging from Campsites, Budget, Mid-range to luxury lodges within and around the park.
Kisoro Town which is 14 kms to the gate of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from the basic Camp-sites to the luxurious full board hotels, these include Traveler’s Rest Inn, Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp, Hotel Virunga, Mt. Gahinga Safari Lodge, Rugigana Campsite and Mubano Hotel among others. Be rest assured that you have big choice here.
Best Places to Stay in Mgahinga National Park include; Luxury facilities, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Nkuringo Safari lodge, Mutanda lake Resort Mid-Range facilities that is, Traveler’s Nest Hotel. Amajambere Iwacu community Camp provides various units that range from Bandas to Dormitories along with camping under Budget range.