About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda is found in the southwestern part of Uganda bordering Rwanda and Congo covering about 33.7 square kilometers and sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey. This explains why many tourists on their Uganda safari tour flock to this park to trek these rare primates. Some of the visitors visit specifically to witness how the mountain gorillas spend their lives in their natural habitats and also get to know their facts.

gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”. The Park’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.

How to access the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

By Air: There are daily scheduled flights from Entebbe to the nearby Kisoro Airstrip and transfers to the park if about an hour.

By Road

By road, the park can be accessed from Uganda’s capital Kampala via Kabale then Kisoro. It is about an 8-hour drive.

Activities in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the leading tourism activity that Mgahinga National Park boosts due to the presence of rare human-like primates. The Park is the home of the Nyakagezi Gorilla family group and as you track the Gorillas, you will see the golden monkeys and this is an extra to a gorilla tracking safari.

The best time to go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is during the 2 dry seasons of Mid-December to February and June to September.

Golden Monkey Tracking

The endangered Golden monkeys can only be tracked in Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda. Golden monkeys are unique and weigh about 10 to 25 pounds. They have a golden body with very black limbs and crowns on their heads and tail.

Volcano Climbing

This Volcano is can be climbed within only one day. To participate in this volcano climbing, you need not have a packed lunch and bottled water.

Batwa Forest Trail

The Batwa people are the natives of the forest and a meeting with these people is a cultural experience that spices up your Uganda Gorilla trekking safari tour. Visiting their sacred cave, watching them dance is too amazing. Get a chance of knowing how the Batwa hunt, gather honey and herbs for medicine.

Border Trail Hike

This border hike is approximately 5 hours in length plus hike through montane forest and during the hike; you will be rewarded with a great view of mountain Sabinyo.

Bird Watching

Bird watching at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the most satisfying experience you will ever get on your tour. You will watch a number of bird species most of which are forest birds.

Accommodation in the Mgahinga Gorilla National park

Accommodation is found in three places of Ntebeko, Bunyonyi, and Kisoro. At Ntebeko accommodation is offered at Amajambere Iwacu camp and Volcanoes mount Gahinga safari lodge. At Bunyonyi, you can get accommodation at Birdnest at Bunyonyi resort and Bunyonyi Overland resort. In Kisoro, accommodation can be got at Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Kisoro Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Mountain Gorilla safari hotel, Countryside Guesthouse Kisoro, and Mountain Gorilla safari Hotel.

Volcanoes Mount Gahinga safari lodge

The main building features a rustic living space with a warm central fire that offers the ideal environment for relaxing at the end of the day, with the terrace outside and a spacious sunroom adjoining the living area completing the peaceful and open style. Each banda at the lodge has been thoroughly renovated to offer unparalleled luxury in the region and each room has an en-suite bathroom with showers and flush toilets.

Countryside Guest House

Facilities. The restaurant prepares a broad range of dishes including traditional meals to visitors wanting to experience Ugandan fare at very affordable prices. There are 14 clean, comfortable, and affordable rooms for budget travelers.

Conference Hall

There is a conference hall which is suitable for seminars, workshops, office retreats which accommodate between 200-250 people.