Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is recognised for its great ecosystem, biodiversity and inhabiting a number of endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga National Park is one of the two gorilla destinations in Uganda, alongside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which hosts over a half the total world population of these endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga has majestic natural beauty, with thick and misty rainforests and volcanoes that make the park all the more stunning to be in. travellers interested in gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, mountain hiking, sightseeing, nature walks, birding and so much more, can visit Mgahinga for the park has all these amazing attractions including abundant wildlife in which the giant but gentle mountain gorillas are, Virunga volcanoes, amazing and awe-inspiring caves, the amazing nature and so much, which would all leave you with amazing and unforgettable memories.

The National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park covering only 33.7 square kilometres, yet the most scenic and serene. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in south-western Uganda and is at an elevation that ranges from 2227-4127 meters above sea level, literally having its guests in the clouds, no wonder that the park is usually cold. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is just near the great and famous Bwindi Impenetrable National park, and makes part of the great Virunga Conservation Area, which encompasses other gorilla destinations including Virunga National Park of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

Things to see in Mgahinga National Park. Or, Attractions in Mgahinga National Park.

The National Park has a number of attractions that any traveller may enjoy. These attractions in Mgahinga National Park or things to see range from the endangered mountain gorillas to the very scenic volcano ranges and serenity which are perfect for a number of activities and for any type of traveller, including honeymooners.

Mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas can be found in Mgahinga National Park, one of the four gorilla destinations in the world. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects about 80 gorilla individuals, and has one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi gorilla family which travellers can trek to encounter them.

Golden monkeys

In Uganda, golden monkeys can only be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga is referred to as the park where gold meets silver, simply because of the existence of both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas which develop silverbacks at an older age. Encountering the golden monkeys is one of the best activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Wild animals in Mgahinga National Park

Wild animals in Mgahinga National park are abundant, and are some of the attractions and things to see in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park hosts over 39 mammal species, with more than 10 primate species that include the golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.

Virunga volcanoes

The Virunga volcanoes that Mgahinga National Park hosts are three in number, and they include Mount Muhavura at an elevation of 4127 meters, Mount Gahinga at an elevation of 3474m, and Mount Sabinyo which has an elevation of 3674m above sea level. These 3 of the 8 volcanoes in the Virunga Massifs are a great attraction, not only to sight even at a distance because of their scenic and iconic views, but also climbed or hiked, giving travellers an opportunity to encounter more of the park and appreciate its beauty.

Birds in Mgahinga National park

Mgahinga National park has about 180 bird species, including the Albertine Rift endemics. Bird species like the Regal Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Kivu-ground Thrush, the Rwenzori Turaco, Olive woodpeckers, dusky crimson wing among so many others are some of the bird species in Mgahinga National Park that you may encounter or sight once in the park.

Garama Caves

Mgahinga National Park has a number of caves with the most significant being the Garama caves which are only 4km from Ntebeko visitor centre, which is the starting point of the gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National park adventures. The Garama caves are a sacred place for the Batwa people, the once human inhabitants of the park who co-existed with the nature and wild life therein.

The Batwa Community

The Batwa community are a group of people who were previously hunters and gatherers who solely depended on the park, while co-existing the wild life and nature. They were however evicted, and resettled in the nearby areas outside the park. Visiting the Batwa community therefore is therefore a great way to learn of these a people’s way of life, ancient practices, beliefs and way of life.

With all the above attractions in Mgahinga National Park, there are activities in the park that travellers visiting can get to enjoy. The activities or things to do in Mgahinga National Park include gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking, volcano climbing, bird watching, hiking through the developed nature trails in the park, and visiting the Batwa community.

Travellers can get to Mgahinga National Park from Kampala via Kisoro, on a road drive of about 8-9 hours. A 4WD vehicle is recommended. Travellers can also fly through the available chartered flights, usually scheduled under Aerolink from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kisoro, and then be transferred for a short while to the park itself. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also very accessible from Rwanda, and is a perfect option for those travellers not interested in the long drive from Entebbe or Kampala for it is only 4 hours’ drive from Kigali International Airport, meaning that one can actually fly into Rwanda and then be transferred to Mgahinga by road, from Kigali Rwanda.

Accommodation in Mgahinga National Park is quite abundant, with some being shared with the neighbouring Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some of the lodging options include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Clouds Mountain Lodge, Travellers Rest, among so many others.

Mgahinga is an awesome Uganda national park that any traveller planning to visit Uganda on a Uganda safari, or planning to do a Uganda gorilla safari would look into booking. Gorilla safaris in Mgahinga are quite not crowdy given that only 8 people per day can track the only gorilla family, the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Mgahinga National Park is also great for travellers after a bit of quiet and serenity, for few travellers do visit the park at a time.