Mgahinga national park is found in south-western Uganda, Kisoro district in the Virunga Mountains and Albertine eco-region. It is the smallest national park in Uganda covering over 33.8 sq.km and can be accessed either by road or domestic flight to Kihihi airstrip. Despite Mgahinga’s small size, it is one of the few national parks in Uganda that harbor the endangered mountain gorillas after Bwindi impenetrable national park although gorillas here are seasonal just because they are shared by Rwanda and Congo as well.
Mgahinga has only one habituated gorilla family, and that is the Nyakagezi group where a group of 8 people is allowed to see the great apes in a day. Gorilla tourism in Mgahinga is developing steadily over the past five years especially with additions of new tourist activities such as the Batwa Trail and Golden Monkey trekking plus other primates and numerous bird species.
Mgahinga partly consists the forested slopes of the three extinct volcanoes that is mt. sabinyo, mt. muhavura and mt. gahinga and is a home to 76 species of mammals, although they are difficult to glimpse in the wild forest vegetation. They include giant forest hogs, bush pigs, forest buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, golden cats, side striped jackals, black fronted duikers and South African porcupines.
From far away, the huge cones of the virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon you as you approach which is a home to a large variety of wildlife and primates, including about half the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. When you reach the park you can get a great overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate.
Activities done in the Mgahinga National park.
Gorilla tracking and habituation
While on Uganda safari, Gorilla tracking is the most thrilling tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The habituated gorilla in this park is called the Nyakagezi, which consists of 9 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants. However, due to their constant movement it is advisable to check the current location of the gorillas first. Gorilla tracking can be tireless and may take the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior
The trackers and guides have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately. Take time to stop and enjoy the birds, trees and flowers. The guide will ensure that you don’t get left behind.
Volcano climbing
Mount sabinyo; This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the eastern side of the climb to peak. If you are to continue, the climb to the peak 11 involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a dual experience you will achieve here. Finally, the hike up to the peak 111 is steep with several ladders and mush scrambling. You are guaranteed to get your hands dirty en-route to peak111! Once on top, you will be in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, what a triple experience this is!!! The journey takes about eight hours round trip to cover the 14km stretch.
Mount Gahinga; On your way to the park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such a pile a ‘Gahinga’. Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average ‘gahinga’ but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.
Mount muhavura; Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped Mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km.You are advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before the site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear.
Birding;
The varied habitats of Uganda’s smallest park make it home to a variety of birds with 179-184 species recorded. The list includes the Ibis, Pin-tailed Whydah, Speckled Mousebird, Stone Chat, Grey-capped Warbler, Wax Bills, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Firefinch, White-naped Raven, Black Kite, Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Coucal, Paradise Fly-catcher, Rwenzori Batis, Double-collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Nightjar including several species endemic to the East Congo Montane region. For the Virunga Conservation Area as a whole, over 295 species in the Virungas are endemic to the Albertine Rift Afromontane region representing 59% of the total of known endemic species
Golden Monkeys
The endangered golden monkey is endemic to the Albertine Rift, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a rare chance to track these striking creatures, high in the dense bamboo forests on the Gahinga trail. There is an estimate of 3000-4000 individuals in the Virunga area which 42-60 are habituated in Mgahinga.
ACCOMMODATION
If you wish to go camping there is ample space at the park gate and Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp. Besides that, there is also excellent traditional bandas managed by the local community and of recent Mgahinga national park has developed beautiful and accessible accommodation around the park which ranges from luxury to budget options according to ones best choice.
At the thought of a Uganda Safari, Adventure Uganda Safaris will give you the best tailor made safari of your life