Skip Link Text

MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a jewel seated high in the clouds, at an altitudinal range of 2,227 meters and 4,127 meters. The temperature range of Mgahinga gorilla national park during the day is 150C while the nights become a little colder at 100C. The park experiences two dry spells, May-August and December-February with March, April, September-November being the wettest months.      

This Gorilla national park of Mgahinga is an exquisite Uganda safari destination situated in the beautiful lush countryside of southwestern Uganda. It is part of the gorgeous Virunga Massif, a misty mountain range that runs along the borders and spreading to three countries which are; Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda and protected as national parks famous for the Mountain Gorillas in the respective countries that is; Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.

The Virunga is a chain of nine (9) freestanding volcanos that are both extinct and active with Uganda hosting 3 extinct conical volcanos that is; Sabinyo at 3,634 meters, Gahinga at 3,474 meters and Muhavura standing at about 4,127 meters. The Virunga protects the second population/group of the Mountain Gorillas with the other group found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also in southwestern Uganda.

At a size of 33.7Km2, Mgahinga Gorilla national park is Uganda’s smallest park situated along the southwestern border part of the country. It was declared a game sanctuary/ reserve in 1930 by the British administration and later gazetted as a national park in the year 1991 and it protects Uganda’s portion of the endangered Mountain Gorillas as well as the endangered Golden Monkeys which inhabit the Virunga range hence being referred to as a destination / place “Where Gold Meets Silver”.

People and the park

Mgahinga derives its name from a local word “Gahinga” which means piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmlands on the foot of the volcanos. The Batwa, a cultural group that dwells along the forested margins of western East Africa, at the edge of western Uganda, Rwanda and parts of Congo are a pygmy tribal group which lives a hunter-gatherer lifestyle and are the ancient residents of this natural habitat. Caves left by moving lava at the slopes of the mountain served as shelter to the resident pygmies before it (Mgahinga) was gazetted as a national park, these caves/ homes serve as tourist attractions.

Wildlife and attractions

Mgahinga national park protects Uganda’s portion of the Mountain Gorillas that dwell in the dense forests of the Virunga massif, with one habituated family in the park, which is however trans-boundary. The park is also an important habitat for the endangered Golden Monkeys.

Mgahinga has varied types of vegetation including; Afro-montane, montane forests, Bamboo, Tree Heathers, Montane woodland and cover around former farmlands. Mgahinga Gorilla national park shelters three of the Virunga volcanos’ whose slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically sundry. The peaks provide a remarkable milieu to this exquisite scenery.

There are a number of caves found on some of the steep mountain slopes, formed by lava tubes such as the famous Garama cave found near the Ntebeko park headquarters, these caves offered shelter to the Batwa especially during battles.

Activities in the park

Mgahinga Gorilla national park offers ultimate safari experience to travellers seeking to meet and stare deep into the eyes of the majestic Mountain Gorillas. Gorilla tracking is the major activity though it is not reliable since there’s one group that is trans-boundary and therefore can’t be done all year-round. However, other activities in the park are all available and can be done all year round.

Golden Monkey tracking is a new form of activity and experiential tourism that visitors can take part in. Moving through the dense Bamboo forests, looking out for these interesting creatures dressed in striking golden pelt is an experience you will long remember on your Uganda safari to this gem of a park.

Being home to three volcanoes, the park offers thrilling hiking, mountain/volcano climbing Uganda adventures to visitors. The volcanos can be summited taking about a day, with the peaks commanding stunning views into the surrounding countries of Rwanda and Congo, the majestic Rwenzori and some of the other Virunga peaks.

With a myriad of vegetation cover, Mgahinga national park is a glorious birdwatching Uganda safari site, with not a tremendous number of bird species, the park offers remarkable milieu for birdwatching safari in Uganda, and Nature walks are an ideal way to explore the park’s diversity.

The Batwa cultural encounter is worth the time to have a taste of the life of some of the forest groups of Africa, a guided walk lets you explore the Batwa trail.

Accessibility to the park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in the district of Kisoro, lying about 8-9 hours from Kampala city centre. The journey to this side of the country is scenic especially as you proceed from Kabale to Kisoro; a route characterized by divine mountainous terrain with sheer ascents and descents. Detours can be done at the Equator-00 latitude.

Alternatively, Mgahinga can be accessed using air travel either domestic scheduled flights or charters from Kajjansi near Entebbe to Kisoro airfield.

Highlight of things to do in Mgahinga National Park

  • Gorilla Trekking
  • Volcano Climbing/ Hiking
  • Birdwatching
  • Golden Monkey Tracking
  • Batwa Cultural experience
  • Nature Walks   

 

Sample Safaris to the Park 

5 Days Gorilla, Golden Monkey tracking + Hiking and Bunyonyi Visit

12 Days Highlights of Uganda Wildlife and Adventure


Other pages

 Murchison Falls National Park
At a size of 3,893 km2, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s premier destination for Game tracking safaris. It is the country’s largest conservation area protecting variety of wildlife and it’s named after the Nile’s 40 meter drop over the Rift Valley scarp. The park is ....
 Kidepo Valley National Park
This national park is Uganda’s most alluring tourist destination and protected area. It is one Uganda’s most decorated park with a number of International Accolades attributed to its beauty and untamed wilderness for example; in August 2018, CNN ranked the Park the se ....
 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest national park and protected area covering over 1,978 km2, with the great Rwenzori Mountains towering in its background. The park is adjoined by lakes Edward and George, blend with spectacular craters, rolling savannas and humid forests supporting ....
 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Though it’s one of Uganda’s smallest park, Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park brags about its identity as a world class tourist destination, sought after by travellers and other African holiday makers because of its prestigious heritage. The national park is located in th ....
 Kibale Forest National Park
The 795Km2, Kibale Forest national park boasts the greatest primate range and density in East Africa making it a primatologist dream destination regarded as the “World’s Primate Capital” famous for Chimpanzee tracking safaris. Before becoming a national park, Kibale was first a gov ....
 Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is one of Uganda’s other site for mountaineering, trekking/ climbing and adventure Uganda safaris. Situated ideally in the eastern part of the country near Mbale and Kapchorwa area and on the western Kenyan border, Mount Elgon at 4000 km2 has the largest volcanic ....
 Semuliki National Park
Semliki National Park Uganda is such a flawless destination with a huge appeal especially for birders. At a size of 220 Square Kilometers, and an altitude of 670-760 meters above sea level, it was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and uplifted to a national park status in 1993. It is locate ....
 Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National park is a destination offering preternatural challenge to enthusiastic mountaineers. The Rwenzori Mountains also known as the “Mountains of the Moon”, named so by Alexandrine photographer; Ptolemy, are snow-capped peaks. The Rwenzori’s are known for offe ....
 Lake Mburo National Park
At just about 370 Km2, Lake Mburo National Park is one of Uganda’s smallest park, composed of astounding diversity of flora and fauna, with unique mammals and avian species found nowhere else in the country. Lake Mburo enjoys the closest location to Kampala city, lying just about 4hours in wes ....

General information


 About Uganda

 Mountain Gorilla

 Gorilla Habituation Experience

 Birdwatching Uganda Safari

 Birdwatching Tips

 Travel Info

 Privacy policy

 Terms and conditions





QUICK LINKS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Avens Travel world

Address: Kira house (Former Collines House), opposite NIC building

Room: 24, Pilkington Rd

P.O.Box: 28070, Kampala-Uganda

Phone: +256 779 698998,

Phone: +256 754 054029

WhatsApp: +256 773 148649

Email: info@avenstravelworld.com
QUICK FEED BACK

NAME


EMAIL


MESSAGE


Type 4321 in the box below


LIKE OUR PAGE



View our Terms and Conditions (T&C)

WebAdmin | WebMail

© COPYRIGHT 2024, AVENS TRAVEL WORLD
TRAVEL BOOKING FORM
Surname*
Other names*
Nationality*
Email*
Phone number*
Organization
Origin
Destination
Depature date
Return date
Adults
Children
Infants
Ticket type
Service/Request
Enter 4321 in the box below

TOUR BOOKING FORM
Surname*
Other names*
Nationality*
Email*
Phone number*
Travel/trip date
Number of days
Number of adults
Number of children
Accommodation level
Interests







Comment/request
Enter 4321 in the box below