Visit Mgahinga for a terrific gorilla trekking experience with the one and only Nyakagyezi gorilla family. The Park is located in south western Uganda, a short drive out of Kisoro district and then a short uphill walk between some local farms to the Mount Muhabura entrance. Mgahinga National park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys hence the slogan”Where Silver meets Gold”. Trekking to see the endangered primates in the jungles of Mgahinga Gorilla National park is rewards you with a thrilling lifetime experience.
In this article, we bring you detailed guide to Mgahinga Gorilla National park, tourist activities, attractions, when to visit, golden monkey trekking, location, accommodation, where to sleep, vegetation cover and packing list for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Pak with Superfine Safaris Limited . Located in Kisoro district southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga gorilla national park is Uganda’s smallest National park (34 square kilometers) covering Uganda’s part of the Virunga conservation area/Virunga Massif. Mgahinga forest was established into a national park in 1991 to provide habitat for the endangered golden monkeys and mountain gorillas and to diversify tourism products in the Pearl of Africa.
The word Mgahinga is named after the “Gahinga” in Kifumbira, which means a pile of stones. Mgahinga National park is bordered by Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vegetation cover in Mgahinga comprises of bamboo forest, montane moorlands, tree heath, Ferns, Swamps and rift montane forest found on different zones. A 2 Days Mgahinga park tout from Kigali Rwanda helps you explore this small park in the shortest time possible.
Attractions & Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National park
Well, travelers to Mgahinga gorilla National park have a long list of tourist activities rewarding them with memorable experiences. The top things to see and do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include:
Mountain gorilla trekking
Nyakagyezi Gorilla Family
Sheltering Nyakagyezi Gorilla family, Mgahinga gorilla national park is one of the few places to go for gorilla trekking in Africa. 8 gorilla permits are available in Mgahinga every day giving chance to eight people to trek and see these endangered gorillas.
Like in Bwindi Forest, a gorilla permit to trek gorillas in Mgahinga costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East Africa residents. Gorilla permit booking can be done directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through Superfine Safaris Limited, your ultimate gorilla safari company. Booking is recommended at least 6 months in advance o ensure timely planning.
Volcano climbing
Being home to three extinct Virunga volcanoes, Mgahinga Gorilla National park is your best place for Volcano climbing. Hike to the summit of Mt Gahinga at 3,474m, Mt Sabyinyo at 3,669m and Mount Muhabura at 4,127m above sea level. The experience of hiking each volcano is different and unique worth doing. The slopes of these volcanoes shelter golden monkeys, monkeys and baboons which you stand high chances of meeting. Physical fitness is key and essential to ensure an enjoyable and successful volcano climbing experience. The summit of each Volcano gives you spectacular views of Virunga volcanoes, Mgahinga National Park and local communities.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga
A high number of travelers to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park choose to do golden monkey trekking above any other thing. Trekking to see golden monkeys ranks second to gorilla trekking in tourist activities done in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Interestingly, a permit to trek golden monkeys is quite cheap costing $100 each making it affordable for even budget travelers. Mgahinga Forest is the only destination to see golden monkeys and over 500 golden monkeys are believed to be living in Mgahinga. The other population of golden monkeys lives in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda. Superfine Safaris helps you book and reserve golden monkey safaris to Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
Bird watching
Sheltering over 250 bird species, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is your best birding spot in Uganda. Some of the birds in Mgahinga Gorilla National park are Fire Finch Stonechat, White-necked Raven, Pin-tailed whydah, Grey capped warbler, Paradise Flycatcher, Ibis, Dusky crimson wing, Waxbills, Archer’s robin chat, Blue-headed coucal, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori Batis, Double-collared sunbird and Olive pigeon among others. The best time for bird watching in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in April, May, and October. This is the best time to see migratory birds, which fly from Europe to seek refuge in Mgahinga. However, bird watching is an all-year-round activity. Our experienced guide helps you spot different birds in Mgahinga Forest.
Batwa Cultural Trail
Batwa Pygimies in Mgahinga Forest
Do you want to learn and experience the traditional forest life of Batwa pygmies; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the place to go. These short people guide you into Mgahinga forest to demonstrate their initial forest life. Examples of Batwa activities done in Mgahinga forest include hunting, picking medicinal herbs, collecting honey, and visiting Ngarama cave where Batwa would offer sacrifices and perform their rituals. Also, traditional songs, dances and stories are performed making your whole experience memorable.
Nature/Forest walks
Walk on foot through Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and you will discover the hidden treasures of this forest. Nature walks in Mgahinga is the best way to enjoy the quite cool natural forest while enjoying the sweet sounds of birds singing up in the trees. A nature walk is also the best time to spot and search for experimental plants especially the medicinal. You may also meet some animals mainly the colubsu monkeys.
Best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Dry months of June, July, August, September, December, and January are the best time to visit Mgahinga gorilla national park. During this time, rains are less which makes it easy to trek through n search for gorillas and golden monkeys. Also, photography is very good in the dry season. The forest receives two rainy seasons in the months of March, April, May and October. This is the best time for bird watching to see the migratory birds.
Packing list to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Wondering on what to pack for your gorilla safari to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? No worries, Magical Africa Safaris brings you a full packing list for Uganda safaris to Mgahinga. Among the things you must carry include:
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Gardening gloves
• Insect repellants
• Energy giving snacks
• Bottled drinking water
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Long pants
• Rain jackets
• Sweaters & Scarfs
Where to Sleep/Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mount Gahinga Lodge
Check the list of lodges/hotels and accommodation facilities in Mgahinga Gorilla National park with Magical Africa Safaris. The top lodges in Mgahinga include Gahinga Lodge, Travelers Rest Camp, Mt Gahinga Rest Camp, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, Muhabura Motel, Rugigana Campsite, Amajambere Iwacu community Camp, and 3 Way gorilla resort among others. These lodges serve you with excellent food and sleeping services at affordable rates.
People also ask
How many gorillas are in Mgahinga Gorilla National park?
Roughly 36 mountain gorillas are believed to be living in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. These live together in Nyakagyezi family headed by Mark as the dominant Silverback. These members comprise of Adult females, juveniles, black backs and infants. On the good day of gorilla trekking in Bwindi, you can see most of these gorillas gathered in their family
How much is Mgahinga Gorilla Park Fees?
The park fees to Mgahinga depend on which activity one is gong to do. If you are visiting Mgahinga gorilla Park for the endangered gorillas, you will pay $800 for foreign non residents and $700 for foreign residents while East African citizens pay 300,000 shillings. If you are visiting the park to see golden monkeys, the fees is $60 for foreign non residents, $50 for foreign residents and 40,000 shillings for East African citizens. Mgahinga Volcano climbing costs $80 for foreign non residents, $70 for foreign residents and 50,000 for East Africans.
Is gorilla trekking in Mgahinga worth the money?
YES, trekking to with Nyakagyezi gorilla family is worth it! Looking into the eyes of the silverback gorilla at a close range is priceless
Conclusively, therefore, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers it all to meet, satisfy and exceed your travel expectation on your Uganda safari to southwestern Uganda. Contact Superfine Safaris Limited today, book a gorilla safari to Mgahinga Forest, trek golden monkeys and hike the Virunga volcanoes for a remarkable experience.
